Frankie:???
Charlie: She hopped into her car right after she left us. I spent a couple hours making calls and driving around to figure out where she might’ve gone.
Three dots blinked. Charlie was typing.
Frankie: You’re leaving me hanging here.
Charlie:Sorry, I’m using the voice to text. It’s slow.
Frankie: *Blushing emoji*
Charlie: Les called Nan about an hour ago. She’s at her hair stylist’s place. She flat-out refuses to speak to me, but Nan promised to pass on the message that I’m here whenever she changes her mind.
Frankie: Oh, Charlie, I’m so sorry.
Charlie: I think Les just needs a few days to cool down. We’re both hardheaded. I just wanted to warn you, she might not be speaking to you either.
Frankie: Noted.
Charlie: Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m hoping some sleep will make my tension headache disappear.
Frankie: See you then. Good night.
CHAPTER 17
A few days later, Frankie stood inside the men’s department of Wardrobe Emporium with Gemma. The soft hum of conversations filled the store. After spending over an hour combing through rack after rack of suits with Gemma, she hoped that the traditional-cut suit they’d found would be to his liking.
The dressing room door opened and closed. Frankie’s dad cleared his throat, and she and Gemma immediately paused their conversation and turned their heads toward him.
“Mr. T, wow.” Gemma let out a wolf whistle. “Looking sharp.”
“That’s one approval down. Frankie?” He turned and struck a pose. “What do you think? Will Suzy approve?”
“Navy blue suits you, Dad. It brings out your eyes.” Her throat was dry. “I think she’ll love it.
Her father always gravitated toward navy blue. She figured it must remind him of his military uniform.
“How’s the fit? Do you think it needs any alterations?”
Frankie walked up to her dad and adjusted the position of the collar. She had him spin around slowly for her, and she looked over the alignment of the seams. “I think the fit is pretty good.”
He smiled. “Excellent. I’ll just change and then we can get in line at the register to check out. This is the first suit I’ve bought since your middle school graduation, kiddo.” He walked back toward the fitting rooms.
Frankie elbowed Gemma. “Do you see what I mean? Dad’sreallyserious about her. Should I be worried?”
Gemma shook her head, and her blond ringlets bounced up and down. “Not yet. When he starts asking you about rings, then you can worry. I think he’s just happy to have a woman close to his age to spend time with.”
“They’ve upped their dates to three times a week. Dad even stops by the market and buys a bouquet of freshly-cut flowers for her on Sundays.”
Gemma’s eyes widened. “Three times a week?”
Frankie nodded. “I have no idea what they do when they’re together. He’s tight-lipped about it. All I know is he gets a lot of enjoyment out of telling me not to wait up for him.”
“You sound like a parent.” Her friend laughed. “You were the one who wanted him to pick up a hobby and get out there and meet people.”
“I did.” She moved her ponytail to her shoulder, combing her fingers through it. “It’s not that I regret doing it either; it’s just a lot for me to get used to.”
“Have you told your father how you feel?”
