Chapter 5

Luisa plopsdown in the seat in front of me, handing over a plate of cookies. Her brunette hair is curled today with the front pieces pinned to the back with a long, white bow. She has a black sheer dress with a silk white slip underneath and black leggings.

She’s the definition of cute, fashionable, and quaint coquette girl all wrapped in one.

“Aquí tienes,” she says before I take it.

“You didn’t have to, gracias,” I say softly.

I had a wild hangover this morning after drinking too much with Willow and Luisa on our couch last night. It’s been over a week since the raffle and the club has been so busy, so we had a much needed catch up night.

She waves her hand before pausing and taking a cookie from the plate, biting into it. “Es deliciosa, I know the baker who works here.”

I nod before picking up a cookie. I inspect it for a second before I realize she’s watching me. I nibble on it, letting the chocolate goodness fill my tastebuds. The noise around the coffee shop is minimal but enough to worsen my pounding headache.

Luisa’s manicured hands start to flip through a magazine she got from the front of the cafe. She tries to keep up with the latest fashion and tabloids. I take another nibble of the cookie as she stays focused on that. It’s not long before I clear my throat, and she looks up.

“What?”

“Nothing, just still very upset about last night.”

Just remembering how Garrett tried to reach out again makes my body shudder. Willow and Luisa were there right when he texted. After a few glasses of wine, I explained our history.

Her eyes watch me before she rolls them and huffs out a breath. “Are you talking about your ex? I thought he was old news. You deserve so much better than someone trying to reconnect just because they’re lonely.”

“I know I deserve better. But it doesn’t help getting texts from him wanting to talk.”

“Then block him.”

I look at her, almost opening my mouth to protest, but she tsks under her breath before dropping the magazine and reaching a palm out.

“Phone. Now.”

“You’re kidding,” I half-heartedly laugh. But Luisa’s expression is anything but comical. She’s got her brows raised, her lips pursed, and I can even hear her foot tapping against the hardwood.

I roll my eyes before grabbing my phone from the table, unlocking it, and handing it to her. She smiles happily.

“Thanks, Rose. Now, I’m just going to block him, and you’ll be able to forget him forever. He’s a thing of the past, and plus… There is way better out there. Have you seen the men in our club?”

She’s busy tapping the screen as I respond. “Yeah, I know. I’m still hesitant about the whole trying to meet more members thing. Reeve was a one-time thing. And the raffle last weekend was too big of a step to take. I need baby steps.”

Luisa hands me back my phone, and I place it face down on the table. She narrows her eyes. “Reeve doesn’t count. You guys casually dated outside of the club. The raffle could’ve been your breaking point.”

“I know.” I sigh.

“What’s holding you back? Are you scared?”

“Slow down with the questions,” I say, pressing my fingers against my throbbing temples.

She leans forward, looking at me with more intensity. Her sweet perfume wafts my way, and my stomach twists with nausea. “I’m serious! It feels like this is all we talk about, and you just run around in circles. You deserve to try out what the club has to offer. Seriously, Rose. So what’s stopping you?”

I look down at the cookie and already regret it. I suddenly feel like a balloon and want to walk it off and go home. But I can’t. Luisa doesn’t deserve that. I contemplate even calling Clementine to talk to her, but she’s busy with my dad and building the nursery.

Dahlia is already a handful, and I can’t imagine preparing for another baby. I don’t want to bug them.

“I don’t know…” I finally say. But she’s not buying it.

And by divine intervention, I see my scapegoat. Or at least a way to direct the conversation to something else. He walks into the cafe, looking around for a moment before locking eyes with me.

“Frankie!” I call over, smiling widely and waving. Luisa whips her head in the direction of my distraction, and she then turns back with widened eyes.

“Shit, he’s hot. Quién es?”

“Shh! He’s coming over!” I swat the air to silence her, and she bites her lip, holding in a laugh.

Frankie gives me a small wave before walking to our table. There’s a vacant chair at the table next to us, so he grabs it and pulls it close. His frame fills the whole seat as he sits down, and his knee bumps into mine.

“Luisa, you’re staring,” I giggle. Frankie looks at my roommate, and he smiles warmly.

“Nice to finally meet you,” he says, raising a hand to shake. She seems transfixed by him, so I nudge her with my foot under the table. That seems to do the trick as she laughs and reaches out, shaking his hand.

“Luisa,” she stutters.

“I know. Frankie,” he laughs.

Before Luisa could ogle any longer with him noticing, he whips his head to me and gives me a once over.

“What are you wearing?”

I glance down at my shirt with a red wine stain. It’s a New Jersey Jaguars shirt. His hockey shirt that he accidentally left one night seemed too comfy to keep on the couch. The oversized sweatpants don’t help at all with his curiosity. I look like the complete opposite of what Luisa’s wearing today.

“A shirt?”

He chuckles, his voice gravelly and thick like honey. The heat in my belly begins to pool, and I really hope my cheeks aren’t red. “Mine? You’re seriously using my shirt to sleep in?”

“How’d you know—” Luisa starts, but I cut her off.

“So?” I glare at Frankie. “It’s Tuesday morning. I’m hungover, and I didn’t bother to change.”

His expression is playful, and he pats my knee under the table. I jolt at the touch, and my cheeks warm. “ Of course, Rosita. I didn’t mean to offend. Keep it. It looks better on you than it ever will on me.”

“Are you living in New York now?” Luisa asks, attempting to reel us back to the table’s conversations and popping our little bubble. His hand stays on my knee, and I almost melt. I don’t even know if he realizes the effect he has on me.

He shakes his head. “No, just here visiting a friend. Should be going back to Sunny Cove in the next week or two. But it depends.”

“On what?” I ask, finally finding my voice.

He glances at me for a moment before looking back at Luisa. “Cosas.”

Huh?

Luisa doesn’t seem to notice my confusion. She laughs a little too high-pitched for my liking, and she smiles so widely that crinkles appear in the corners of her eyes.

Wait, why am I jealous? She can flirt with him if she wants to. He’s single. She’s single…

Frankie’s hand squeezes my knee and brings me out of my head. I clear my throat and busy my hands with picking apart the cookie in front of me.

“And how do you guys know each other?” Luisa sits back in her chair, glancing between the two of us.

I shrug. “He’s my dad’s best friend.”

Frankie laughs. “Claro.”

The next few minutes are back-and-forth questions, mainly Luisa asking Frankie what he does and anything else she can pull out of him. His hand never leaves my knee, only to smooth over my thigh and then back in place.

It creates a swarm of butterflies in my belly and goosebumps all over my body. I’m not sure why he’s doing this, but I don’t want him to lift his hand just yet.

Luisa finally sighs and looks at her watch. “I’ve got to go to work soon. Are you sure you’ll be okay with that hangover?”

I nod, giving her my best smile. “Yeah, thanks for the cookies. Text me when you’re at work.”

Frankie sits taller before removing his hand from my knee. “Nice meeting you.”

“Likewise,” she smiles before turning on her heels and heading out of the cafe. It’s not long before my phone pings, and I see a text from none other than my roommate.

Luisa ??

Is he single?

ME

Absolutely not a chance. Don’t even try.

Luisa ??

Why not? If you won’t have him, why can’t I?

ME

He’s at least two decades older than us, that’s why.

And it’ll be weird. He’s my dad’s best friend.

Luisa ??

What’s that have to do with me? It’s not weird

if you haven’t known him all your life. Right?

ME

I’ve only known him since college.

But still, no. End of discussion.

Luisa ??

Fine. He didn’t even show me any interest.

He couldn’t stop staring at you. So get on that.

Or bring him to the club.

ME

He cannot know about that.

He’d tell my father.

Luisa ??

He seems like the type to hide a secret.

And those hands look like they know how to use rope.

“Everything okay?” Frankie asks, leaning toward me and glancing at my phone. Without another thought, I slam it down on the table, and my cheeks burn.

“Y-yeah! Totally,” I mumble, hoping he didn’t catch any of that.

His eyes watch me slowly before he smirks. “Are you free tonight?”

“What?” My throat gets tight, and I attempt to swallow, but it’s hard.

“Free. Tonight? Or do you work?”

I shake my head. “No.”

He raises a brow, and I feel even more dumb in front of him. I glance down at his hands, which are scarred in some places from the machines at work and look like they’d be rough. I haven’t stared at his hands this meticulously before. I can’t take my eyes off them. And now I can’t stop picturing them with rope wrapped around them. Damn it, Luisa.

“Hmm? No…” he repeats.

“No, I’m not free. I’m working, sorry, Frankie.” I sigh.

“But you’re hungover; you need to rest. I can swing by a restaurant and grab some soup. Maybe a grilled cheese?”

My heart warms at the gesture. “Thanks, Frankie, but I’ll be fine. I just got wine drunk and kept drinking when I got a text. I’ll be fine.”

“You said that twice. Are you sure you’ll be fine?”

I nod.

He doesn’t buy it. “Who texted you?” He leans in a little more, pushing himself into my personal bubble. But I don’t mind. His cologne suddenly fills my senses, hints of honey and something musky, and I want to drown in it. Funny how his cologne doesn’t bother my hangover state like my roommate’s.

I take a deep breath before glancing at his deep, brown eyes. Eyes that are watching me with intent, before gazing down to my lips for a split second. But I catch it.

“No one important.” I wish it were Reeve who texted me, to be honest. He’s easier to communicate with. He knows when to take my no for an answer. Which makes sense with how he’s a noble member at our club. Garrett thinks just because he’s reaching out via text that he can continue even when I ghost him.

I silently thank Luisa for blocking him.

“But they’re taking up space in your head, Rosalía.”

My lips part, loving the way he says my name. He leans in more, his knee pushing up against my thigh to the point where it hurts. But I love it and don’t want him to scoot back.

“Not anymore. They’re blocked. Done. Nunca más.”

“Good. I don’t want to have to deal with them.”

I suck in my breath. “What do you mean, Frankie?”

His eyes flicker to my lips once more, but this time slower, so I catch it for sure. As if he wants me to catch him in the act. Prey watching the predator devour them with their eyes alone.

Is he doing this on purpose? It feels hotter in this cafe, and I want to fan myself, but I resist it.

“I told you I’ll protect what’s mine.” His voice is low, making me lean in to really listen. He says it with such ferocity that it shakes me to the core. There’s no hesitancy in his words.

A gasp leaves my parted lips, and a faint smirk fills his face before going back to a stone expression.

“You don’t mean that. Besides, I can’t tell you exactly who. You’d just tell my dad.”

He cocks his head to the side and stares intently.

“You think I tell your dad everything, Rosalía?”

I gulp and stay silent. I don’t know how to respond to that.

He smirks. “There’s plenty I haven’t told him. There are some things that just shouldn’t be shared with Arlo. I like keeping some things to myself.”

“Like what?” I push, knowing I am testing the waters right now. Very choppy, enticing waters.

His pupils enlarge for a moment as he stares at me. The heat in my belly is a full-on fire, and the ache between my legs is unbearable. I need release. It’s been too long. Reeve might’ve satiated me for a while, but there’s someone else who’s the object of my desire now.

And he’s my father’s best friend.

“I’ll let you know soon enough,” is all he says before sitting back in his seat.

My exhale is shaky, and my lips tremble alongside it. Like I was in those chopping waters and drowning, finally surfacing and gasping for air.

I’m fucked.