Page 5 of Daddy's Little Worker
Frankie wasn’t going to do it.
She plastered a smile on her face and turned around, not looking either man in their eyes. “I’m good. Nothing to see and nothing happened.”
Dominic and Noah looked at her like she had lost her mind.
“Frankie.” Dominic’s voice was gentle and low, comforting in a way.
“You’re okay. There is nothing wrong with showing emotion. Everyone does,” Noah gave her a smile. “It’s not good to bottle everything up and pretend like it isn’t there.”
“I know, but I’m really okay. You just caught me off guard. Anyway, I’ve wasted more than enough of both of your times. Thank you, but I will be leaving now,” Frankie quietly said.
Her hands were still clasped in front of her, trying to stop the shaking from being noticeable. She felt like her whole body was still vibrating. Could they see her shake, or was she concealing it well enough? Why did it matter now when she wasn’t getting the job?
“Frankie, come inside so we can have your interview,” Noah said, stepping back.
She opened and closed her mouth, not knowing what to say. She didn’t think she still had the opportunity to get the job anymore since she was late and had said several things she shouldn’t have. But Noah was looking at her expectantly. Should she go?
“You better follow him, Little One,” Dominic said. “He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“Oh,” she replied, taking a step forward.
Frankie found herself walking into the building and following Noah to who knew where. He wouldn’t hurt her, not in his place of work. They passed a little gift shop, and her eyes immediately found all the stuffed animals sitting on the shelf, begging her to buy them and take them home.
No.
If she didn’t have the money for rent, food, or her medicine, she did not need to buy a stuffed animal to take home with her. Even though she really wanted one.
“You can come back to the shop to look around if you still want to after the interview.” Noah stepped right next to her.
Frankie hadn’t realized she had stopped right in front of the gift shop.
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“No need to be sorry. This place is really popular when we are open. Every Little, Middle, and well, anyone who visits always comes in and gets a stuffy to take home,” Noah explained. “Most of these are hand-me-downs from other people who needed to get rid of a couple.”
Gasping, Frankie looked up at Noah. “Get rid of?”
How could anyone get rid of their stuffed animals? That had to be a sin.
“Yes, some people sell their stuffed animals for a little money,” Noah replied. “It’s not an easy decision, but I’ve seen a couple of people do that.”
That would be her if she had any stuffed animals to sell. She did, but she wasn’t about to get rid of her only one. Then she would really be lonely and have no one to talk to.
“Come along,” Noah said. “Let’s get up to my office and start this interview.”
Frankie followed after him, trying to keep up with his long legs.
“Mr. —” She sucked in a deep breath, filling up her lungs with the air they desperately needed.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Little One. I didn’t realize how fast I was walking.” Noah stopped right in front of her and held onto her shoulders. “That’s it. Take a nice deep breath for me. You’re okay. Such a good girl.”
Frankie took several deep breaths, calming herself down. How much farther did they have to go? She didn’t know if she would be able to keep up with him at this rate, physically and job wise.
“Sorry about that. Sometimes I forget how tall I am and how big a step I take. Walk next to me and we’ll go slower this time.” Noah held out his hand.
She looked at it, not knowing whether she should really take it or not. Would it be appropriate? Frankie wanted to, desperately, but she didn’t want to cause any trouble later on. She wanted to feel the warmth of his hand wrapping around hers. His hands were big enough that they would swallow hers up.
How would that feel? Would Frankie ever get the chance to feel that or would she always be longing for it?
