just leave tonight on a good note, and whatever comes, will come.”
I nodded, then she leaned towards me, kissing me briefly before opening her car door. We both got out of the car and closed the doors. Before heading inside, Frankie looked back over to me and said, “Good night, Widow.”
“Night, Frankie.”
As I started over to Danny, I glanced back over my shoulder, hoping for one last glimpse of Frankie, but unfortunately, she’d already disappeared inside. I won’t deny it. Frankie had gotten under my skin. I liked her, more than I thought possible, but deep down, I knew I could never be the kind of man she needed. Frankie deserved more, but sadly, more was something I could never be.
Chapter 8
Frankie
There are women in this world who can be with a man and feel nothing. No guilt. No regret. No shame. And not a single lovey, dovey feeling or even a hopeful yearning. They literally feel nothing at all. I was NOT one of those women. Not even close. I don’t know what I was thinking. From that very first kiss, I’d gotten all warm and fuzzy inside, and then, the sex. Oh my. It was truly unbelievable. It was the best sex I’d ever had. No doubt about it. So, it was only natural that I’d have a rush of feelings—no matter how unwelcome they might be. I wished I could’ve been stronger and kept my feelings at bay. Maybe then, I wouldn’t have been so hurt by Roman’s cold farewell. It was my own fault. I’d never given him any reason to believe I wanted anything more than just a one-night stand—a little romp in the coffee shop, so I shouldn’t have expected some grand gesture at the end of the night.
While it stung a little, it was the right thing to do. Neither of us were looking for a relationship, so I needed to put on my big girl panties and suck it up. No more of the warm, gushy feelings for Roman. It was just a one-time fling, and it was time to put it behind me. Unfortunately, that was easier said than done—especially with Sydney around. As soon as she got to the coffee shop, she started hammering me with questions. “Well, what do you think of the new do?”
“I think it looks great.” She’d spent the entire morning at the salon, and while I wasn’t a huge fan of the new red color, I wasn’t about to tell her that. “What about you? Do you like it?”
“Not as crazy about this particular shade of red as I thought I’d be, but I’m hoping it will grow on me.” She leaned back against the counter and crossed her arms with a smile. “So, how was last night?”
“It was fine.”
“Did you drink the wine I got you?”
“Yeah, I had a couple of glasses.”
“And what about the rom-com? Did you find a good one to watch?”
“No. I really didn’t have time.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. I was just doing other stuff.”
“Like what?” Her eyes grew wide as she gasped, “Did you try the vibrator?”
“No!” I glanced around the coffee shop to make sure no one heard her. “I didn’t use it and lower your voice. Someone might hear you.”
“There are two people in here, and they both look like they are close to eighty. I doubt either of them heard me, and even if they did, I doubt they even know what a vibrator is.” She leaned over to me as she said, “And even if they did, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. You’re a single mother with absolutely no chance of getting laid.”
“Yes, I do!”
“Yeah, whatever. Those cobwebs are growing by the second, so it’s either use that vibrator I gave you or form an intimate relationship with your showerhead.”
“I’ll have you know I have no need for the vibrator or my showerhead. And whatever cobwebs I may or may not have had are gone.”
“What?” Her eyes narrowed. “Are you saying you’ve had sex?”
I glanced around once more, checking to see if anyone could hear as I asked, “Could you be any louder?”
“Answer the question, Frankie!”
“Yes.” I turned to start a fresh pot of coffee as I said, “I had sex.”
“What?” She stepped over to me and leaned forward with her face inches from mine. “With who?”
“It doesn’t matter who.” I turned my attention back to the coffee maker. “Now, drop it.”
“You tell me you finally had sex with someone after ump-teen years, and