Silently, we get out of the car. I walk him to security and watch until he’s out of sight.
I don’t cry.
I think about a fleece blanket that he’s had his entire life. How ordinary that is, how nice it’ll be to see it in person.
Soon.
When I get back to the house, Sloane and Liz are waiting with coffee and pancakes. And then I open my laptop for the first time in six days and get back to work.
I’m in the reading room, looking at x-rays, when I get a text message from Sloane two days later.
Sloane
A package arrived for you today
I’m not allowed to open it
She attaches a photo. The mailing address is neatly written out in black Sharpie. The return address is Logan’s. And he’s added a hand-drawn warning label that reads,For Frankie’s eyes only, Sloane do not open.
I muffle a laugh, not wanting to distract anyone.
Frankie
I love that he knows you so well
When I get home that night, I call him as I take the box to my room.
“Hey, gorgeous.” He looks and sounds tired, but his smile is easy and makes his eyes crinkle.
I grin back. “How was your day?”
He growls something under his breath.
“That good, huh? Well, I got mail…” I lift the box into view. “I waited to open it with you.”
“It’s just something new to play with while we’re apart.” His gaze hoods as I rip away the tape.
Inside are two smaller boxes, one clearly labelled as lube, which makes my ears burn, because it’s a clue for what’s inside the other, more discreet box.
“I stopped at a store on my way home from the airport. I was thinking about you and I got so hard, I had to pace back and forth in the aisle before I could go to the counter.”
“You wouldn’t be the first person to get aroused in sex shop.”
He groans. “Don’t say it like that, it sounds so depraved.”
I open the box with the toy and lift it up, hoping he can tell I’m delighted. “Excuse me, husband, but is this a butt plug?”
“Okay, I’m a little depraved.” He rakes his lower lip with his teeth. “It’s the smallest one they had. I bet it’s going to make you squirm.”
“I’ll have to try it.” I give him an innocent look.
He shrugs. “At some point.”
“Yes, at some?—”
“Or now.” He sets his phone to the side so I can see more of him.
He’s so hard, his sweatpants have a pyramid inside. “I’m not above begging.”
