Walking toward the storage area where the machine was kept, she called out, “Hey, Charlie, do you have a second?”
He glanced up, hands resting on the handle of the broom used to sweep the stray chunks of ice left behind by the machine as it exited. “Sure, what’s on your mind?”
“I did a lot of thinking this weekend. I made a four-page long list of all the potential pros and cons, but it didn’t help because I already knew what my answer was going to be. If the offer still stands, the answer is yes.”
He stared at her with glassy eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“Yes, I want to skate with you.”
He dropped the broom. His eyes crinkled. “You do?”
She nodded.
He rubbed his hands together. “You’ve just made my day.”
He looks a lot younger when he’s happy.
“I’m glad.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “No hurry, but sometime this week, I have a few details I wanted to discuss with you about how our partnership is going to work.”
“I’m free now if you are?”
“Sure.”
“Great, give me two minutes to finish up here. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
“The kitchen?”
“I know the mess in my office last week stressed you out.” His face and ears flushed red. “Let’s just say you don’t want to see the state it’s in now.”
How could it be any worse than last week? You know what; I’m probably better off not knowing.
“The kitchen it is.”
When Charlie joined her a few minutes later, Frankie was scribbling a few notes into her journal.
He walked over to the sink to wash his hands. “Do you mind if I multitask while we talk?”
“Nope.”
He bent down and retrieved a cutting board, knives, and an apron from the storage shelves on the central island. “I was going to make myself some grilled chicken, broccoli, and baby carrots. Can I interest you in some?”
She blinked a few times. “Only if you have enough ingredients.”
“I bought enough chicken to last three weeks.” He shook with laughter. “If you were to look in my freezer, it’s all meat.”
She blinked slowly. “So what you’re trying to tell me is that youarepart vampire, after all.”
“Nice try, but no.” He snorted. “Take another guess.”
“Was there a big sale on meat at the grocery store?”
Charlie made a buzzer noise. “You’re getting warmer.”
She shrugged. “I give up. Why?”
“I cleaned out my fridge this weekend. The only things I have now are fruits, veggies, and lean meats.”
“You’re eating clean,” she said in a surprised tone.
