Zaza’s pout dissolves instantly. She takes it and mutters, “Thank you.”
Finally, Frankie glances up. Just long enough to wink and flash a small smile. I feel my stomach drop at that smile, and damn it, I’m staring again. She’s fucking gorgeous, and I hate how much I’m noticing it.
“Chinaza! I said no!” Mum yells. I guess I wasn’t the only one who saw their exchange. “Come and dice the yam since you seem to have very idle hands.”
“Haha,” I tease to rub it in.
Zaza sticks out her now neon red tongue as she makes her way to the counter. I pull open the freezer, peel past the bags of meat and frozen vegetables to grab one of the ice lollies without Mum saying a word.
I knew that got under Za’s skin.
When I turn back, I catch them again—Zaza and Frankie exchanging a quick glance. Then Frankie looks back down at her Switch like nothing, thumb tapping away at the buttons.
I tear open the wrapper and take a bite as I study them. Weirdly enough, the ice lolly’s tangy flavor draws my attention immediately.
“This is really good,” I gasp as I examine it.
Mum doesn’t look up from the pot. “It’s sorrel. Frankie’s mum sends it over sometimes.”
“Mm.” I chew slowly, eyes narrowing.
Frankie.
I step closer until I’m standing right in front of her on the opposite side of the counter. She doesn’t lift her head or even pause her game.
“Frankie,” I drawl it out, leaning one hand on the counter.
She pulls one of the earpieces out but continues playing her game. “Hm?”
“You really don’t remember me?” I push.
She sighs like I’ve just interrupted her mid-level for foolishness.
“Sorry. I really can’t say I do.”
“Come on.” I grin, though irritation’s burning under it. “Year seven, summer fete? I scored two goals. You were sat right next to Zaza, screaming your head off.”
Frankie barely flicks her eyes up—those pretty green eyes. Those big, astonishing, puzzling, sexy?—
“I don’t remember,” she cut off my train of thought.
I clench my jaw.
Fucking hell.
“Alright,” I quickly shake off the rejection. “What about when we all went to the Eye that Christmas? You were scared of heights and cried the whole ride, and Mum made me stand next to you so you wouldn’t feel like you were gonna fall.”
The thought of us awkwardly holding hands while she bawled her eyes out made the nostalgia wash out a bit of guilt. ‘Cause I was the one who told her we might fall.
She presses a button on her switch, and the screen flashes. “Doesn’t ring a bell.”
Wow.
I lean in closer, voice tight “Fine, what about when I had that five-a-side match at the rec? Everyone was there that day. You were sitting on the wall with Zaza when Conley tried to move to her.”
That makes her pause just for a second. Her lips curve like she’s caught a private joke.
“Conley? I remember him. Always cracking jokes, yeah?”
