“Just so we’re on the same page, I asked the blokes about Charlie. Both Fernando and Patrick only had good things to say about him. The skating community is small. If there was something off about him, one of them would’ve heard the gossip.”
Frankie heard a rattling sound. The pipes in the apartment creaked. “Sounds like Dad is getting up.”
“You better get going. Tell Mr. T that I said hello and I’ll be ready to discuss the finale ofCupid’s Arrowwhenever he’s up for it.”
“We’ll probably watch it together after breakfast. We’ll call you later.”
Gemma waved goodbye, and they disconnected. Frankie stood and stretched. She picked up the discarded blankets and pillows she had kicked off the couch sometime during the night.
I’m going to do it. Gemma’s right. This is the second chance I never thought I’d get. I’ve got to seize the moment.
When her dad joined her a half hour later, he sniffed the air. “Blueberry pancakes this morning? Somebody must be in a good mood.”
Frankie smiled coyly. “I thought we could both use a little change of pace today.”
“Did I hear you chatting on the phone earlier too?”
“It was Gemma.”
“That’s right, the finale ofCupid’s Arrowcomes out today.” He snapped his fingers. “I hope you didn’t watch it without me!”
She giggled. “Don’t worry, Dad. I told Gem I was planning to watch it with you.”
“Phew,” he said in a fake sigh of relief. “Who do you think Selena and Mackenzie will declare the winner? My money is on Johnny. He seemed to have won all the ladies over on his last date with Yvonne with the horseback ride through the winery.”
“You think so?” She removed the last pancake from the frying pan and turned the stove off. “Of the two finalists, I was thinking maybe it would be Zach. I loved how his grand gesture was to take Yvonne to an animal shelter to spend the day volunteering.”
Zach reminds me a little bit of Charlie. He’s got a soft side behind the grumpy exterior. I’ve seen flashes of it.
“We’ll just have to wait and see.” Bringing the plate of pancakes to the kitchen table, Frankie and her dad sat across from one another. “Would you mind if we streamed it first thing after breakfast?”
Why am I thinking about Charlie like that? We’re just co-workers and friends.
She nodded. “Anything for you.”
Her father picked up his fork and placed two pancakes on his plate. “I had another favor to ask you, sweetie.”
“What’s on your mind?”
“Would you help me set up a dating profile on the Golden Years senior dating platform afterward?”
Frankie dropped her fork. “You want me to sign you up for a dating app?”
“I’ve already signed up. I just don’t understand what I should put in my profile.”
She wondered when he had time to sign up for that. Was this platform legitimate? She hoped it vetted the people who were signing up for it. There were already too many seniors out there who might fall victim to a scam. It would hurt Frankie to see their hearts get broken, especially when they were hoping to find love and companionship.
She swallowed hard. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is. I’ve been hit with Cupid’s arrow. If these young twenty-somethings can find love, maybe I can too. I never tried after my first marriage failed. I’ve always felt so guilty that you never had a mother figure in your life.”
“You know I never cared about that. You’ve loved me enough for two parents. Probably more.” Frankie stood and walked around the table to hug her dad. “I love you so much, Daddy.”
She felt his body expand and contract. “And I you.”
CHAPTER 11
Wednesday morning, Frankie watched and waited as Charlie drove the Zamboni off the ice. She chewed on her lip. Today was the day. She wouldn’t let her nerves get the better of her again.
