She shook her head. “I don’t want to run interference. I’m a grown adult and so is he. If Suzy makes him happy, I’m all for it.”
“I don’t blame you. If it were my mum or dad, I’d let this dating thing run its own course too.”
Her father rejoined them. The suit blazer and slacks were draped over his arm.
“Dad, I’ll take care of paying for this.”
He hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. It can be one of your Father’s Day gifts.”
He slowly handed the clothing to her and pecked her on the cheek. “Thank you, sweetie.”
“I meant to ask earlier, what should we bring to Suzy’s place tonight?” She readjusted the strap of her purse as she took hold of the clothing. “Wine? Dessert?”
“I have no idea. Wine? I’ll ask Suzy-kins what she prefers.” He whipped his phone out of his back pocket and started typing expertly. A goofy grin crossed his face, and he laughed to himself. “Sorry, she sent me the funniest joke of the day. What do you call a pile of cats? A meown-tain!”
“Nice one, Mr. T.” Gemma laughed.
“Yesterday, she had another humdinger!” He scrolled. “Here it is. What do you call a well-balanced horse?”
Frankie closed her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t know, what?”
“Stable!” Dad slapped his thigh.
Gemma covered her mouth with her hand. “Mr. T, how about you and I pick up a bottle of champagne just to be safe while Frankie checks out? If Suzy ends up texting you back and tells you not to bring anything, you two can save it for dinner with Mr. Blanks later this week. I can’t wait to finally meet him!”
“That sounds great.” He glanced up from the screen. “Except you’re coming with us tonight, Gem.”
Frankie’s body shook with silent laughter. Her friend’s face was comical. “I am?”
“Of course, you’re part of the extended Tomlinson family.”
Frankie pointed to the register. “I’ll meet you both across the street when I’m done.”
Dad’s phone buzzed. “That’s Suzy. She says she has everything we need for dinner, but if I still insist on bringing a wine, she prefers a pinot grigio.”
* * *
Frankie’s and Gemma’s mouths dropped open as the cool female voice on the phone’s GPS directed them down a long gravel driveway.
“Is this a home or a castle?” Gemma sputtered.
“It looks more like a mansion to me.”
Frankie’s dad half laughed, and half coughed. “Suzy describes it as a cottage.”
“That home is way too upscale and posh to be considered a cottage!” Frankie exclaimed.
Stepping out of the car, she was instantly reminded of one of the medieval homes she might find if she were in Germany. The structure was two stories tall and painted white, with exposed wooden beams. Arched windows let in plenty of natural light. The roof was sloped, with three chimneys. There was even a castle-like turret jutting out to the side.
Walking toward the front door, Frankie noticed an intricately carved figurine of a wooden bear sitting on its haunches, wearing a doctor’s stethoscope, and holding a clipboard. “Huh. That’s interesting.”
Her father’s lips twitched. “Suzy is a retired nurse.” He knocked three times.
“It’s open!” a singsong female voice called out.
Dad opened the door to a lavishly decorated living room. The interior walls were white, mirroring the building’s exterior. The floor was carpeted in a dark turquoise color, complementing the cherry tones of the wooden built-in bookcases on both sides of a gray stone fireplace. There was a long olive-green sofa, three hunter-green wingback chairs, a clear coffee table, and to Frankie’s amusement, a knight’s full suit of armor.
