“I was your second choice, your backup. Now you have your first choice. So what’s the problem? Why are you here crying to me? Go be with her.”
He flushed miserably. “It wasn’t even—about her. I knew it was wrong I—shoved down my guilt. I had to shove it down deep to ignore it was wrong.”
“Your guilt or your dick?” I asked. “Because your dick was pretty far down her throat.”
“Forgive me!” he begged, starting to cry again.
“And what did you mean by itwasn’t about her? That’s supposed to be an apology? That you would’ve shoved your cock down anyone’s throat?”
“No! It’s so stupid and embarrassing, but I liked the—adulation. The idea that there was someone out there who had been waiting for me for ten years.”
“It’s possible,” I said. “I think Cash was doing that for me.”
His face looked stricken, and his lips trembled. “It wasn’t—true with her. It was a lie. But it was like I couldn’t resist that last star-fucking hit. Please. I know how shallow that was. If you give me a chance, I’ll do better next time. I’ll never do that again.”
This pissed me off.
“Cash was right about you,” I said. “Just a spoiled rich boy. I gave youeverything, Frankie. All my attention. All my love. And it wasn’t enough.”
“I made the biggest mistake of my life. You are my peace and my safe place and I want that back. I love you so much.”
Anger was pulsing through me. Bullshit excuse. Bullshit man.
“You’re weak, Frankie.I can’t be with you. You threw away what we had because you can’t stand not to be the star of everything. You love being the hot rich guy everybody wants, and you can’t live without that fucking star worship. And I don’t want to be with someone like that. It’s over.”
When I went inside I wanted nothing more than to never see Frankie again.
He was pissing me off so much I closed up the shop, told Earnest to do what he could to make the divorce quick, then took Franklin and Claudette's kind invitation and sailed off for a trip on their yacht.
Athena and I spent the next few weeks eating private chef-cooked meals, tanning in the sun, shopping, and napping.
I felt tanned, rested, and much more cheerful when they finally returned us to Ramshackle Bay.
I would reopen the coffee shop tomorrow morning. I had missed Perk Up & Read.
However, when I got home, I was annoyed to be greeted with several reams of official letters from Earnest.
Setting Athena down on her perch, I glanced over them.
Taking longer than expected
Frankie being difficult
Frankie refusing to sign anything
Bastard!
I was supposed to call Cash when I returned. I certainly wouldn't object to seeing him again. He had been pretty damn good in the sack.
What day should I suggest for our next date?
I glanced over idly at the calendar.
Wait, what was that?I peered closer.
Shit, wasn’t my period supposed to start a few days ago? I wasn't always regular, though. I was only on Day 28 of my cycle, and it could range from 25-29 days.
Still. . .
