Frankie stepped in closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. Like I said, you don’t have to answer. Forget I ever asked.”
His green orbs locked onto hers. His jaw clenched. “I’ll tell you,” he said slowly, “but not here and not now. It’s a long story, and I’d rather be in the place where we can have a little privacy.”
As if to prove his point, the front doors to the ice center opened. “Hi, Mr. C, hi, Coach Frankie,” Steve yelled out.
“Hi, Steve,” they both responded automatically, attention still on one another.
“We’d better hurry. The kids are here.” Charlie opened the door and entered the locker room.
Frankie lingered in the doorway, wondering just what had happened to cause such a reaction from him.
CHAPTER 13
Sunday morning arrived. Frankie hovered near her dad with a lint roller, going over his black cable-knit sweater one final time as he studied himself in the mirror. She could smell the almond and whiskey scents of his special occasion cologne lingering in the air.
“Dad, you look dapper. You’re going to make your date swoon from how handsome you are.”
A light tinge of pink appeared on his cheeks. “I doubt it, but I appreciate you saying so.” He kissed the top of her head and straightened his glasses once more. “I just hope I’m not making a colossal mistake.”
Frankie set the lint roller down on the hallway side table. “I think once you get to Norma’s Café and meet your date, all the nerves will flee your body. Are you ready to head out? You have your wallet and your cell phone?”
Dad tapped the pockets of his charcoal-gray dress slacks. “Check and check.”
“Great! I just need to grab my purse. I’ll lock up and meet you in the car.”
Dad grabbed the car keys and headed out the front door. The moment the coast was clear, she whipped out her phone and shot off a text to Gemma.
Frankie: We’re about to leave for Dad’s date.
Gemma:Well? How is he? Excited? Anxious?
Frankie: A little of everything? He woke up extra early to make sure his shoes had a visible mirror shine. I think it’s his way of relaxing.
Gemma: What outfit did he finally settle on?
Frankie:The white dress shirt, blue and dove-gray striped tie, black cable-knit sweater, and gray dress slacks.
Gemma:*Thumbs-up emoji* Do you have any photos?
Frankie scrolled through the earlier snapshots she’d taken when her dad wasn’t looking.
Frankie: Sending it to you now.
Three dots blinked. Gemma was typing.
Gemma:Oh, looking sharp, Mr. T! He looks like one of those distinguished older chaps you would find back home in Glasgow. It’s the perfect blend of dressy yet casual.
Frankie: He hogged the bathroom all morning, showering, shaving, and ironing his clothing. Did I mention he tookextremelydetailed notes from theDating for Dummiesbook you sent him?
Gemma: Oh no. *Laughing emoji*
Frankie: You created a monster. He wasn’t happy until he made sure he satisfied every criteria from the Dress for Success chapter.
Gemma: Wish him luck from me. Not that he needs it.
Frankie: Will do. He’ll enjoy hearing that you thought he looked distinguished.
Gemma: *Winking emoji*
