With a shrug, Frankie came inside. She carried her tablet to the office. She hadn’t gotten much done at Lucas’s, which was about what she’d suspected would happen. Tonight might be another late-night work session. That was fine. She already knew she was capable of getting a lot done when the house was quiet and everyone else was in bed.
She dropped her things off, then went upstairs to change into leggings and a T-shirt. At some point, she’d have to figure outdinner. Maybe just a yogurt and a piece of fruit, though. She’d had plenty at Lucas’s. All of it delicious. But she wasn’t hungry enough for a big meal.
She hit the third floor and heard sound coming from Willa’s room. The door was open, and Willa had her earbuds in and was bobbing her head to whatever she listening to while writing on a notepad.
That explained why she hadn’t answered. Frankie knocked on the door frame to get her attention. “Hey.”
Willa looked up and pulled one earbud out. “Hey, Mom. How was it? Did Joyce and Beryl kill?”
Frankie nodded, smiling. “They did great. I can’t wait to see the final show.”
“When it’s live, we should all watch it together on the big screen downstairs.”
“That’s a great idea. I’m going to change and then work in the office downstairs for a bit. What are you doing?”
“I’m going through the clothes I have to see what will work for teaching. I think I’m going to need to buy a few things. Nothing much, but maybe like two decent pairs of pants and a couple of tops. It’ll have to wait until my first paycheck, though.”
“It’s a shame I can’t give you some hand-me-downs. I’m going to get rid of a lot of my professional wardrobe. I just won’t need it living here and working for myself.”
“When are you going back to get your stuff?”
“I don’t know. Needs to be soon, though. I’ve been putting off dealing with it, but that’s not going to make it go away.”
“I could help you. If you want. Drive up with you and help you pack up and all that.”
“Really?” The offer surprised Frankie, but Willa was a good kid. Always had been. Frankie just hadn’t been expecting it.
“Of course. What kind of daughter would I be if I didn’t help my mom?”
Frankie was touched. “I’d really appreciate that. Might even be fun.”
“As fun as moving can be.” Willa laughed. “Just let me know when. I have to go back and clear my stuff out, too.”
“Do you want me to help you with that? We could drive up and do it together. Just like with my stuff.”
“Yeah, but you’re only four hours away. I’m in Ohio. I don’t even know how long of a drive that would be.” Willa shook her head. “I think it would be easier for me to fly back, pack everything up and then just pay the extra baggage fees for my bags. I really don’t have that much stuff. I don’t need to bring half of that junk here. I don’t mind donating it, either.”
“You’re sure?”
“I can handle it, Mom. You need to be working anyway.”
“You’re not wrong about that.”
“Any thoughts about dinner?”
“I was just going to have a yogurt. I feel like I’ve been eating all day.”
“Oh, right. I can find something. Don’t worry about me. Seriously, I’ll be good with a PB and J, or a cup of noodles or something.”
“You sure?”
Willa gave her an amused look. “Mom. I can fix my own dinner. I do it all the time at school. Besides, you have to think of me like just one of your roommates now.” She made shooing motions. “Go on, go get your work done.”
“All right.” Chuckling, Frankie changed into comfortable clothes and went downstairs to the office. She’d sat on the loveseat with her tablet to do some more work on Stacy’s logos when the door just outside of the office, the one that led to the breezeway, jiggled.
That was followed by knocking.
She got up, went out into the hall, and found Jack Marsh on the other side of the door peering in. It was surreal to have a major celebrity so close.
