I glanced over at the bottle of wine Sydney had left on my desk, and before I had time to really think, I picked it up and carried it into the kitchen. Once I had it open, I poured some into a coffee cup. I didn’t sip it like I normally did. Instead, I drank it quickly and poured myself another. After turning on some music, I carried it over to the sofa and sat down. We’d been closed for over an hour, so I didn’t have to worry about anyone coming in. I kicked my feet up and sipped on my wine, trying my best to put my phone call with Marc out of my mind. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen until I started on my third cup. By then, I didn’t have a care in the world. In fact, I was feeling pretty good. I even found myself eyeballing the vibrator my sister had given me. One thought led to another, and it wasn’t long before my mind drifted to Widow. A smile swept across my face when I remembered that his number was still in my purse. The more I thought about it, the more tempted I was to go get it.
Hoping for a little liquid courage, I took another big sip of wine, and then went into the office for my purse. Butterflies were dancing in the pit of my stomach as I reached into my wallet and took out the card he’d given me. I was feeling fairly confident as I picked up my phone and dialed his number, but the nerves kicked in the second I heard his voice on the other end of the line respond, “You got Widow.”
Chapter 7
Widow
I left Frankie’s place with the mindset I wouldn’t be seeing her or her boys again. That didn’t mean I hadn’t thought about them. It seemed I couldn’t get them off my mind. Hearing the stories Corry had shared about his piece of shit father got to me. Hell, they haunted me. I hated to think that he or Frankie had been forced to suffer a past so similar to my own, but Corry had something I didn’t have. He had a mother who was strong enough to find a way out. But that was Frankie. Strong and determined. A woman who would stop at nothing to protect the people she loved.
When I’d given her my number, I never actually thought she’d use it, so I was surprised she’d texted to thank me for dropping off the new spare. I was even more surprised when she called to tell me she was sitting alone in her coffee shop drinking fucking wine. Not only that, she was pretty insistent that I come see her. I couldn’t tell her no—not after hearing the low, intoxicating tone in her voice. I told myself I was just going to check on her, that she’d been drinking and I needed to make sure she made it home okay. Deep down, I knew that wasn’t the case and I was fucking up, but that didn’t stop me from getting on my bike and driving over there.
When I pulled up to the shop, there was only one light on, and I didn’t see any sign of Frankie anywhere. I knocked on the door, and after several seconds, I spotted her walking in my direction. I was pleased to see that she seemed to be walking just fine. In fact, she looked in complete control as she turned the lock and opened the door. She batted those long eyelashes at me and smiled. “Hey.”
“Hey.” I stepped inside and waited for her to lock the door behind me. “You doing okay?”
“Better now.”
“Is that right?”
“Um-hmm.”
“How’s that wine treatin’ ya?”
“It’s made me forget what an asshole my ex-husband is, so I’d say it’s treating me pretty good.” Her eyes skirted around the room as she said, “I probably should’ve waited until I got home to open the bottle, but then...I probably wouldn’t be seeing you right now if I did that.”
Her eyes darkened as her gaze drifted to my lips. I’d seen that look in enough women to know what she was thinking. Hell, I was thinking the same damn thing, and I knew it would only lead to trouble. Big fucking trouble. I took a step back, hoping a little distance would ease the burning need I was feeling. Unfortunately, it didn’t ease a damn thing. She was so damn beautiful, so fucking tempting. I knew it was wrong to want her like I did, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. Hell, it took all I had in me to fight the urge to reach for her and pull her close. Damn. “Frankie, I’m not sure what you have in mind here, but you should really think about it.”