Page 145 of Summer Breakdown
Frankie smiles, holding on to her hand. “Okay.”
“I’m in my favourite black trousers, and a black top.”
“Wait,” Frankie starts, looking at her. “How old are you? What kind of scene-setting is this?”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Okay, but let it be known you’re probably getting four stars,” she replies. “I don’t even know what the weather is like.”
Jasmine smiles, and Frankie smiles back. “I’m in all black, and it’s a nice summer night. Early summer, so it still gets dark pretty early.” Frankie nods. “I’ve smashed a pub quiz. Like, truly some of my best work.”
She’s stupid good at a quiz. “Mm-hmm.”
“And I’m talking to this woman, and she is out-of-this-world hot,” Jasmine says, and Frankie frowns. Jasmine moves closer to whisper in her ear, and Frankie meets her halfway. It’s not that far. Jasmine may as well be lying on her. “Like, I spent most of my time thinking about crawling under the table to eat her out hot.”
Frankie laughs. “You’re scandalous, though I do enjoy you being on a date while you were with Mike. Prick.”
Jasmine rolls her eyes. “She walked me home, and we walked along the river, and I told her things I’ve never told anyone. I think maybe she told me things too.”
Frankie’s eyes widen. “Oh. Me?”
“You’re so unserious,” Jasmine whispers. “My girl, it wouldn’t be our first date. I’ve been dating you for the longest time.”
Frankie smiles. “You have?”
“I can’t believe you had no idea I was flirting with you.”
Frankie leans closer, her lips against hers. “When did you start? I thought you hated me.”
“I’ve always been flirting with you,” Jasmine says, kissing her once. “You were just looking or a reason for me not to be.” It takes every ounce of Frankie’s self-control not to slip her tongue into her mouth.
“Can you flirt with me for the rest of time, please?” she asks instead.
Jasmine drags her foot up Frankie’s calf, and she jolts, turning red as she checks no one from the pool is looking at them. “Jasmine.”
Jasmine laughs, resting against her again. Frankie watches the kids play in the pool. She wants to tell Jasmine something true, just because.
“Sometimes, I miss you, and you’re right here,” Frankie says. Jasmine links their fingers together. “We just haven’t spoken in a minute and I’m like ‘Oh fuck, I miss her.’ But I miss the kids too. Somehow, it feels like I crafted them myself. I didn’t even know them, and it’s biologically impossible, which is rude, but it feels as though I put in hours to mould them into something, and what do you mean I saw ducks this afternoon and Lani wasn’t there?”
Jasmine laughs. “She’s not getting a phone.”
Frankie groans, but she knows Jasmine knows she’d never go against something she said, and that it’s stupid to give a four-year-old a phone, even if she really does miss her.
“Marcel is already old enough to want to hang out of the house, and I missed it. Sometimes,” Frankie whispers, as she watches Marcel’s smile dip under the water, “I feel such a weird loss that I never saw them grow up. I want you to tell me everything so it feels like I was there.”
They both cheer as Lani stands on Ezra’s shoulders for two seconds before she falls into the pool.
Jasmine hums. “Okay. I will.”
It’s not long until they all get out of the pool, Lani in her poncho that matches Frankie’s now. Jasmine bought herone, even though it’s not her birthday. Frankie cannot wait for Lani’s and Marcel’s birthdays. It may be the most excited she’s ever been, even though Jasmine will check every gift before she buys it.
“Mama, can we stay at Ezra’s at the weekend?” Lani asks, as she immediately starts placing barbecue food on Cam’s plate. “Because he said he got us a new duvet cover, and Cam-Cam is going to watch a movie with me.”
Jasmine smiles. “Yes, baby.”
Marcel shuffles in his seat. Frankie wonders if he doesn’t want to go.
“You don’t—“ Frankie starts.
