“Daaaaaaaaaaaaaad.” She almost dropped the carton of milk in laughter.
“What?” He schooled his face, so his features remained neutral.
“I wasn’t on a date, nor do I have any plans to put myself on the dating scene. I had to work late.”
He popped a piece of bread into the toaster. “Uh-huh.”
“It’s true. My boss, Charlie, had some paperwork he needed help with. I offered to stay and help out. That’s it.” She poured herself some coffee and took a sip. She smacked her lips together. “I can’t taste any difference.”
“Mr. Blanks?”
She grimaced. “Please don’t call him that. You’ll scar me for life.”
The folds of his mouth twitched.
“Dad . . . quit looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
She rested her head against the cool countertop. “Ugh. This is too much before I’ve had my second cup of coffee.”
The toast popped up in the toaster. He placed it on his plate. “Your cereal is going to get soggy if it sits there much longer.” Opening the butter container, he dipped a knife into the soft topping, and started to spread it over the crunchy top of the bread. “So, Gemma sent me a few links to that dating show you two young ladies are obsessed with,Cupid’s Fate?”
“You meanCupid’s Arrow?”
“That’s the one.” His head bobbed up and down. “I watched the first two episodes last night. What I don’t understand is why Selena and Mackenzie opted to send TJ home. It should’ve been Mike. He seems more like the type of young man Yvonne might like. Gemma agrees with me.”
The reality television show her dad mentioned involved two best friends searching for a suitable guy for their third bachelorette friend to date, and hopefully, fall in love with. Every week a different contestant was sent home by the two best friends.
Frankie took a bite of her cereal and chewed slowly. She couldn’t believe that her father had watched a dating show and had spoken to her best friend about it. Her life had changed so much in the last few months. Her two takeaways were that one, she needed to find her dad some new hobbies, and two, today was going to be a very long day.
Choosing not to comment on the TV show, she said, “Dad, I’m going to go grocery shopping, then skate in the public session. I’ll probably be home around two thirty. Is there anything you need while I’m out?”
“Nope.” He sat down across from her. “I’ve got everything I need here.”
“What are your plans for today?” She sipped her coffee.
“I’m going to watch the remaining episodes of Cupid’s Arrow.Maybe we can discuss it when you get home.”
Her eyebrows twitched and her facial muscles tightened. A very, very long day. “Great.”
* * *
On the way out to the parking lot, Frankie texted Gemma.
Frankie: You really had to get my dad hooked on our show? Gah. He’s going to be so annoying until he catches up to where we are.
Gemma: You’re welcome. *Smiling emoji* I never thought he’d get into it, but he’s sent me some hilarious texts. I have some screenshots I can send to you.
Frankie: You’re awake! And no thanks. Whatever you and my dad talked about can stay between you two.
Gemma:It’s not anything earth-shattering. Going to bed soon, I promise. And the texts are mostly harmless.
Frankie: Mostly?
Gemma: Let’s just say it makes me wonder how your dad has stayed single all these years.
Frankie: He was married once. It was years before he adopted me.
