Page 23 of The Ex Effect
So, I was done. My business livelihood hung on my ex-girlfriend, who I barely knew. I grabbed the honey bottle and squeezed more on top of the milk and cereal, and took another bite.
Who was Frankie, now? What made her go from Katey to Frankie? When she left, she was a hyperactive, inattentive, totally unpredictable wound-up ball of energy. Which, I hated to admit it, could be very fun. She’d kept things interesting during our relationship for sure, convincing me to do things I’dnever normally do. Skinny-dipping in a lake at night (I still cringe about the amount of lake beasts that could’ve eaten me alive), getting my ear cartilage pierced, which hurt like hell, making out in a truck a block away from my parents’ house.
But now, she was a bit more serious, more laid-back, perhaps even more responsible? She’d showed up with Henry’s cupcakes, she snapped photos like a pro, and when I finally took the time yesterday to dive into her website, it was extremely well-thought-out, with a portfolio of hundreds of gorgeous pics. A very, very small part of me wanted to get to know the new Frankie.
And then I’m zapped back to her hardly responding to my messages. Perhaps I sent ten too many.Perhaps. But I wanted her to know how buttoned-up I was in case she forgot, so she could ease Pete and Patty’s minds that I’d make this work no matter what. She needed to see I had contacts, and knew how to run my business, and could succeed. All I needed was a chance.
I scooped a heaping spoonful and bit into the cereal when my phone buzzed.
Frankie:
Confirmed. They’re in.
My fingers tapped the call button before I could stop them. “They said yes?!” I asked with a mouthful of food. I muted and crunched as quickly as I could, then swallowed.
“First, it’s customary to text someone that you’ll be calling first, otherwise you give off some seriously boomer vibes,” Frankie said on the line. “Second, it isreallycustomary to say hi first.”
I wanted to say something snarky but couldn’t. In the past forty-eight hours, Frankie had saved my ass not once but twice. I hated how much I loved it. “Hello. Top of the morning to you, my fellow lady.”
“Whoa.”
Something that could only be described as a chortle sounded through the phone.
“Wait a second,” Frankie said. “I’m not a comedy connoisseur or anything, but Ithinkyou just tried to be funny. I need a moment alone with my thoughts to consider the enormity of this situation.”
“You’re a dick. Please, I’m dying to know everything.” I clicked pause on the TV. Frankie didn’t need to know my preoccupation was indulging in what surely was going to be a screaming match between some self-absorbed rich ladies. “What did they say?”
Agooshsound of a pop can opening sounded over the phone. “Honestly, they were a little reluctant at first. Not because they don’t want to help us out, but because the whole concept was overwhelming.” A gulping noise sounded. “But we chatted money, about their right to veto anything, and confirmed they won’t be asked to lift a finger.”
My chest lifted. “Perfect. And they were cool with it? Should I contact a lawyer to draw up some paperwork?”
“Nah. I think that’s the piece that freaked them out the most. Contracts and legal stuff. They’re ‘handshake deal’ type of people.”
I bit my lip. Of course, not hiring a lawyer would save money. But handshake deals were nerve-racking, even though that was common practice around town. “Okay. What else?”
A long pause followed. “There is one caveat on all of this, though, and they won’t budge.” I swore I could hear her swallowing through the phone and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. “They refused to do any of this unless I’m there, every day, overseeing everything with you.”
My stomach dropped.Everyday? Together? Frankie and me? I fanned the bottom of my pajamas, which were quickly turning into a thermal body wrap. “Every day?” was all I managed to squeak out. I hadn’t spent any significant amount oftime with Frankie in fifteen years. What if she actually had evolved into a terrible human being? Was she still late all the time? What happened if she didn’t show up, or completely flaked out, or left—as she was obviously known to do—would the word-of-mouth-only contract then be null and void?
God, it was hot in here. I unbuttoned the top two buttons and rolled up my sleeves. Throughout my life, I’d faced enough adversity. The love of my life leaving without any warning. Opening my own business. Watching my brother and his wife fight a cancer battle. Tiptoeing on the edge of losing my business. If I had to work with my ex-girlfriend to save my company, I would.
“Everyday,” Frankie repeated.
I flicked the side of my thigh, my brain verging on a full-on breakdown. “And, ah, what do you think?”
“What do I think about working together every day on the first summer I’ve had off in my entire life? Peachy.”
It sounded like she had a teasing tone to her voice, but I didn’t know adult Frankie that well, and this could be her being passive-aggressive. “So, you’ll do it?”
“I didn’t actually say that. I’m just repeating what they told me,” she said. “Do you even want to work with me this summer?”
Knots filled my stomach.Wantwas a very strong word. And the answer was, no, I did not want to work with Frankie this summer. I’d never worked with a partner before, and if I was going to, my untrustworthy, impulsive ex-girlfriend would be the very last person I’d choose.This is to save my business… This is to save my business…I exhaled the taste of eating crow—which was a seriously disgusting term—and swallowed. “I, ah… yes, of course, I’d love to work with you. It’ll be…fun…to take this time and catch up.”
Puke. This felt more terrible than not having a venue. So many seconds ticked on my analogue clock that I wondered ifFrankie heard me at all. I was just about to see if the phone disconnected when a soft exhale sounded.
“I didn’t hear a please.”
God, she sucked.Inhale for counts of four before spouting off.“Please.”
