Page 60 of Wanted

“In all seriousness, I’m happy to help.”

“Thank you,” Frankie says.

I slip beside her and retake her hand. I tell myself I’m touching her for her benefit.

I’m telling myself lies.

“We’ll let you get back to your dinner.”

Jake walks us to the door and bids us good night.

“Do you have it in you for one more stop?” I ask once we’re back on the road.

“That depends if you’re springing any more random exams on me.”

“I think one’s enough for tonight.”

When I pull up at the only department store in Fairview Valley, she doesn’t say a word.

I grab a basket at the entrance. “If you need anything while we’re here, put it in here.”

“It might be nice to choose my own underwear,” she says cheekily.

My footsteps halt like I just stepped into quicksand. Images of what those underwear might look like fill my head while I will myself not to get hard.

“Good god, woman, I’m just a man,” I rasp.

If there’s one thing I could say about Frankie, it’s that at all times she keeps me on my fucking toes.

“What was that?”

“I said whatever you need,” I grunt, praying my cheeks aren’t red.

“I was just kidding. Your sisters have good taste. You should see the look on your face right now.”

“I do not have a look on my face.” I furrow my brows.

“I think this is that aneurysm Jake mentioned. Maybe we should’ve checked your head.”

The most I can muster is a scowl.

“What are we here for?”

I stop us in front of a display in the electronics department. “A phone.”

She rocks back and forth on her toes. “Okay.”

I throw the first prepaid phone I find into the basket.

“Need anything else?”

“Um, would it be okay if I got a sketchbook and some pencils? I can pay you back. Or you can deduct it from my check. Whatever works for you.”

Without saying a word, I lead us to the art supplies.

“Which one?”

“The basic one is fine.”

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