Page 26 of Amore
I removed my hand at the mention of Candace. “She knows I work in private security when I’m off duty. It will be fine. It will only be until we get the cameras and stuff up.” I didn’t know if that was true. Candace knew I worked private security a few times a month, but nothing overnight with a client.
“I leave for Canada in three weeks.”
Right.“So, it will be for a few weeks, and I can get everything set up while you’re away.”
“You’d do that for me?”
“Can you stop asking me that? I would do anything for you.”
“Why? You hated me for years.”
I shook my head. “I never hated you.”
“But you were angry with me.”
“I was confused,” I clarified. I paused for a moment before saying, “And we already said we were going to forget the past.”
She stared at me for a few seconds, then smiled. “All right. So, I’m going to get our song playing if you want to start dinner?”
“Sure.” I gave her a small smile back. I was always the chef when we cooked dinner together, so it didn’t surprise me—even after all this time—that she wanted me to cook. “Have you learned how to cook in the last nine years?”
“Nope.”
“I guess some things haven’t changed then?” I teased.
“Nope.” She popped the P and chuckled.
My phone buzzed in my hand, and when I glanced at the screen, I saw I had several missed calls and six text messages from Candace:
What do you mean it’s no big deal?
Are you with her now?
Hello?
Why aren’t you answering your phone? Are you fucking her right now?
You should have told me that Frankie was a woman. You led me to believe it was a man.
You could at least respond to me, but whatever. Guess I’ll see you on shift.
I knew Candace would be pissed, and I didn’t blame her, but I was hopeful that once I told her what had happened, she would understand.
Just inside the door, I said, “I need to call my girlfriend really quick, and then I’ll start dinner.”
“Oh,” Frankie breathed. “Yeah, of course.”
“Do you still remember how to brown ground beef?”
“I do.”
“Maybe you can start that part? I’ll be right in once I smooth things over with Candace.”
Frankie frowned. “Maybe you shouldn’t spend the night?”
I shook my head. “No way am I leaving you home alone tonight.”
“I don’t want to cause issues in your relationship.”
