Page 82 of Amore
Even though we didn’t know how far along Frankie was, I knew she had plans to tell her friend. I was also going to tell my parents and Lucy, and then later, Frankie was going to tell her parents. The way gossip spread in Hollywood, we wanted to get ahead of any leaks.
Before we left, Frankie got word the article about our engagement had been posted. I chuckled to myself as I read the headline. Back when I was a kid, or I guess more so my parents’ era, engagements and wedding announcements were printed in the local newspaper and not plastered for the world to see.
My phone chimed with a text.
Candace:How could you?
I rolled my eyes and put my phone back in my pocket, not wanting to deal with her. It buzzed a few more times before I pulled it out to see what she was saying.
Candace:You told Hansen we were dating?
Candace:He suspended me, you know? It’s in my file now. Thanks for that.
Candace:Also, I see you’re stupid and proposed to that bitch. It will never work out. She’s famous, and you’re a beat cop.
Candace:Well, I guess not a beat cop since you’re working as her personal bodyguard, which is lame, Luke. You love being a cop, and now you just escort her from her car and shit. You’re better than that.
Not wanting to get any more messages, I blocked her number. She wasn’t worth my time, and she could be mad at me all she wanted. Besides, if she had stolen my guns, I definitely didn’t want anything to do with her.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure descend the stairs that led to the courtyard. The guy had on a baseball cap, but when he looked up, I knew exactly who it was.
Clark.
I moved, walking in his direction and trying to keep my cool. I didn’t want to cause a scene. Frankie looked over, following me with her eyes. I hoped she knew to stay in her seat and let me handle the situation.
When I got within a few feet of Clark, I held up my hand, asking him to stop. “You need to leave.”
“Excuse me?” he balked.
“You need to leave.” My hands bunched at my sides, and I had to fight everything in me to not throttle the guy again. Just seeing him made me see red.
“Who the fuck are you?”
I took a step forward, getting into his face. “You know exactly who I am.”
“Look, man, I just came to the craft store.” He pointed in the store’s direction, but I didn’t peg him as someone who crafted.
“Doesn’t matter. You’re in violation of your court order.”
It was as though a lightbulb went off as his eyes widened. “You’re …” He looked around. “She’s here?”
“You need to leave,” I replied, gritting my teeth. “Before I break your fucking nose again.”
“Shit.” He blew out a breath. “I had no idea she was here.”
I wasn’t positive I believed him because there were paparazzi taking pictures of Frankie while she ate, her engagement ring on display. Someone had to have let them know that Frankie was having brunch.
“Leave before I call the cops,” I growled, not caring for any excuse he wanted to give.
“Yeah.” He turned and went back the way he came, and I watched until I could no longer see him before I moved back under the roof of the second-floor walkway.
Frankie saw me come back and stood, coming over to me. “Was that him?”
“You don’t need to worry. I handled it.”
“He knew I was here?”
“He said he didn’t know.”
