I slide my arm around her carefully, pulling her in so she’s tucked fully against my side. She sighs, settles, and relaxes completely, her body knows this position already.
The music in the living room swells again but Frankie doesn’t stir.
I shake my head quietly, a small smile tugging at my mouth.
Only her.
Only she can put up with Za to this capacity. Only her could make me feel this way.
Growing up, I never really wanted anything Zaza had. We had such different personalities and interests that the only thing we fought over was the remote.
But now.
She has something I desperately need. Access to the one thing I can’t use charm to get. No matter how much I wanted it.
Still, I’m not someone who backs down from what I want.
I rest my chin lightly on the top of Frankie’s head and close my eyes. My thoughts slow, the tension easing out of my shoulders.
I’ll talk to Za.Soon.
I’ll deal with the fallout, the questions, whatever comes with it.
But not right now, Frankie is warm against me.
“Aww.This is the most I’ve ever seen you two get along.”
My eyes open and the first thing I clock is music still playing. Very unnecessary for this hour of the day.
I must have dozed off again.
Then I realise why Za sounds entertained.
Frankie is still underneath me.
Like fully underneath me.
My arm is wrapped around her waist, locked in. My face is tucked into her neck, nose pressed to skin. One of her legs is hooked between mine.
Frankie shifts.
She blinks at me once.
Twice.
Then she looks at me like I’ve ruined her morning just by being here. I grin. “Morning.”
“Ughhh,” she groans. “Why are you breathing on me?”
And then?—
THUD.
Her foot hits my hip and I’m airborne. I slam into the floor hard enough to make the bed bounce.
“FUCK—” I grab my head instantly. “Frankie—my head—what the hell?—”
She sits up and looks down at me, unimpressed. Blanket slipping off one shoulder. “Get off my bed, you weirdo.”
