Page 42 of Love You A Latte

Frankie looks bewildered, and I almost feel bad for the roller coaster I’m putting them through.

“We can…?”

“Us, together,” I say.

Before Frankie has a chance to react, I reach over and palm the side of their neck, pulling our bodies together and fusing our lips. Such soft, perfect lips that curve into a smile beneath mine.

“Hell yeah, we can,” Frankie says, pulling away to tip our foreheads together. “Good thing I packed a bag.”

“What?” Now it’s my turn for bewilderment.

Frankie smirks.

“You didn't think I’d just let you go, did you? I haven’t gotten my fill of you yet, sweets.”

I blink at them. They packed a bag… they want to come with me?

Frankie jerks their chin at the bed of the truck and I twist in my seat to see an olive green duffle bag next to my luggage.

Frankie, still smirking, places one more kiss at the corner of my gaping mouth before putting the truck in drive and easing it back onto the highway.

~~~

I have no idea how they did it, but somehow Frankie got the seat next to mine on the plane. I don’t think I look at my book once the entire flight, I just stare at them with a dopey smile on my face. I’m astounded that this person who has never cared to leave the tiny town of Stone Ridge before didn’t think twice before hopping on a plane with me to another state.

“What?” Frankie says, glancing at me from the corner of their eye as we wait for our luggage at baggage claim.

“Nothing,” I say, still grinning.

They smile back and sling an arm around my waist, tugging my body into theirs. They grab our bags one by one as they round the carousel and I order a ride.

My leg bounces with nerves during the drive, and my smile has dropped into a nervous grimace.

“You okay?” Frankie asks.

“I’m good, just, I don’t know. A little nervous for you to see my place, I guess.”

“You know I’ve seen pictures and heard about it from Everly, right?”

“I mean yeah, but still. I’ve changed it a lot and it’s…” I pause with a cringe. I was going to say that it’s a lot compared to their place, which it is, but that seems rude.

“Bigger than my apartment?” Frankie says for me, one eyebrow raised.

I grimace and shrug. Of course they knew what I was going to say.

“Sweets, I know. I’m not uncomfortable with how much money you have, same as I don’t care how much Everly has. I’m used to you rich folks,” they say with a grin, bumping their knee to mine. “Besides, I’m doing just fine financially. If you want me to feel threatened, you’ll have to try a lot harder than that.”

“You sure it’s not weird?”

“Positive.”

“Okay,” I say, slouching into the seat with relief.

“Although…” Frankie says, eyeing me up and down. “I never considered the idea before now, but if you want to be my sugar momma, I might consider it.”

I gasp, my gaze flying to the driver who is clearly holding in a laugh as my cheeks flame. Frankie doesn’t have much tact. They laugh freely and reach across the middle seat to take my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Then Frankie rolls their window down, turning their face to the fresh air as it whips through their floppy curls. I trace the tattoos down their arm with my free hand, raising goosebumps along Frankie’s arm as I go. They smile and close their eyes, head dropping back to the seat behind them.

~~~

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