Jess’ eyes were pain-reflecting pools. “Frankie, this isn’t a life. Look at you, look at this place. You’re not dealing, you’re reacting. There’s a big difference.”
Glancing around the room for support, Frankie couldn’t believe it when not one of her friends came to her defence, their solemn, silent expressions telling her they all sided with Jess. Talk about being kicked while you’re down. “Well, how’s this?” Frankie pushed the words out through clenched teeth. “I’m reacting to your ridiculous accusations and dealing with them by asking you to leave. Right now. All of you.”
“But…what about dinner?” Sarah Two mumbled into the tense silence that fell.
Frankie turned on her. “Do you honestly think I could stomach a single mouthful after this?” she spat, then, seeing her friend recoil with hurt, drew a calming a breath. “Sorry.” She rubbed her forehead. “Look, I realise you all probably think you’re helping.” She made a point of looking at everyone in the room apart from Jess. “But trust me—you’re not.”
Claire reached out and gave Frankie’s arm a gentle squeeze. “We’re sorry, too, Franks. The last thing we wanted to do was upset you. It’s just the letter seemed so open, so honest, we actually thought hearing it might help.”
How her closest friends could get something like that so wrong was beyond Frankie. “Trust me. There’s nothing to be gained by listening to anything he says. Mark made his choice and, in doing so, forced me to make mine. If it turns out now he doesn’t like it, that’s too bad for him. I don’t need to know about it.”
“That’s fair enough.” Karen nodded in understanding. “Let’s not let it spoil your birthday, eh? There’s a bowl of linguine and glass of Chianti with your name on down at Lorenzo’s.”
Frankie shook her head. “I really can’t.” All she wanted was to be left alone. “I’ve got a killer headache coming on. Maybe we can do it another time?” Like next year? Perhaps she’d feel up to it by then. Perhaps not.
The ensuing plethora of protest was inevitable, but Frankie remained insistent. As her friends filed past her on their way out of the front door, Jess, the last in line, stopped on the threshold and turned to Frankie.
“This is for you,” she said, digging a wrapped present out from her bag and holding it into the tense space between them. “It was meant as a joke, but I doubt you’ll see the funny side now.”
Frankie took the rectangular-shaped box without meeting Jess’ eyes. The atmosphere around them felt heavy with the weight of expectation, but she didn’t have the energy left to deal with all the things that needed to be said. She settled for offering a stiff “Thanks,” instead, before closing the door just a fraction too forcibly on her friend’s heels.
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About the Author
Louisa lives in Melbourne, Australia, where she has a long-standing love affair with the sensual pleasures of life: wine, bubble baths, ice-cream and books. Nothing gives an illicit thrill like reading a sexy story on the train while those around you are oblivious. Get into a sexy state of mind and feel that thrill with Louisa’s books!
Email: [email protected]
Louisa loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.
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