Page 4 of Paved Paradise

I want to be angry, but the truth is, he’s probably right. I talk a big game, but I’ve always wanted to find what my parents have, that one true love through thick or thin. My soulmate. Another reason I can't be mad is seeing the smile on my best friend's face, the one I’ve barely seen smile since that accident when we were kids. I’m beyond grateful and ecstatic that not just Kas but Gray and Riley, too, have found the girls who are changing their lives for nothing but the better. I just don't know if it's in the cards for me. But how will I know if I never try? I’ve never felt a pull to a girl like I have to Frankie since I first saw her. I’ve never sought just the glance of a vehicle before. I’ve never been hung up on a girl like this, so am I willing to let that chance fly out the window if she decides to move on from this sleepy seaside town?

Just as I’ve worked up my determination to turn to her, my phone pings. Sighing, I pull it out of my pocket and read the text.

Mom: Can you pick up your sister's prescription on your way home?

Me: Sure, Ma, I’ll get it.

Mom: Thank you, honey. I promise Dad will pay you back. He’s picking up an extra shift this week.

Me: I’m happy to do it, Ma. I’ll be home soon.

Placing my phone back in my pocket, I take another deep breath. This is why I can't get involved right now. I need to make sure my family is taken care of. I need to work to help pay for Grace’s treatments and medicine. I don't have time for distractions or another person to need me. I can tell by just looking at her. Frankie is special. She’s a girl who deserves every second of your time, every penny you have to rub together, every breath from the time you meet till death do you part. She doesn't just deserve the world; she deserves the universe and every alternate out there. Looking at her and knowing it would be so easy to give that all to her, easy to fall for her, effortless to lose myself to her. That's a commitment I'm not sure I can hold up my end of.

I'm still battling with my thoughts when I notice Alina walking toward Frankie with a large glass of sweet tea. That's not really what catches my eye, though. It's the twinkle in Alina's eyes and then the “oops” as she slowly, not in slow motion, just slowly, juggles the glass. I can tell the contents will spill over Frankie, and I can't have that. Without a second thought, I throw myself out of the booths and in front of the spilling glass. I take a face full of sweet tea as my ass hits the floor right in front of the girl of my dreams.

I'm soaking wet and sticky, looking down at one bright pink Converse and the other bright yellow with Sharpie swirls and spikes drawn on the toes. I hear an “Oh shit” from the booth I just threw myself from and slowly bring my eyes up to meet Frankies. She's staring at me with wide-eyed amazement, and I get lost in her eyes.

“Uh, thanks? But usually, it's me falling all over the place in front of you. Here I think you could use this…. Schnookums.” She laughs, handing me a napkin before skirting around my still-frozen body on the floor and flounces out of the diner.

Watching her leave from the greasy diner floor with a soaking wet shirt, I realize it might have been a stretch to think I could walk away with any sort of dignity. Still, as I watch her scurry off… again, I realize that shits overrated. It's time to step up my game to get my paradise.

Chapter Three

Frankie

“I can't believe you just ran away!” Alina growls, lying on my bed as I sew another outfit from my small craft station in my van. It was originally just a small table, but who needs food when you have one-of-a-kind designs that need to be made?

“That was the perfect time to make a go of it!” She sounds exasperated.

“A go for it? Girl, what the heck are you talking about?” I laugh, focusing on the zipper of the vest I’m just finishing sewing.

“Yeah! Like a go for forever? It's wonderful, Frankie.” This time, her voice comes out dreamily. I roll my eyes.

“Just because you got your own personal happily ever after doesn't mean it's in the cards for all of us. Some of us are just lucky enough to have the chance to see the next day and be happy with that.”

“Yeah, but that's not your future, Frankie. You deserve the world and someone to show it to you,” she says softly, looking at me with sad eyes. That sounds all well and good, and it would be great if it were in the cards, but I just don't believe I’ll ever find someone I trust enough with my heart. It's barely holding together as is. I don't tell her that. Instead, I smile and return to the finishing touches on my latest project. I take a moment to look at the sketchbook and make sure every little detail of the vest is perfect before turning and presenting it to my best friend. I almost choke up at that new feeling. I've never had one of those before… a friend.

“Ta-da,” I say, shoving it out toward her.

“Oh. Holy. Knickers,” she says, placing her hands over her mouth. I pull the vest away and turn it around to face me with a confused face.

“Is that good or bad?” I ask, examining it thoroughly once again.

“It’s amazing, Frankie! It's absolutely beautiful, and I've never seen anything like it. Completely one of a kind!” she says with honest awe in her eyes. The smile overtakes my face so much it almost hurts.

“Really? You like it?”

“I love it. Actually, I kind of want to buy it,” she says, turning and digging around in her pockets.

“It was supposed to be for the store.” I throw my head back, laughing. My heart feels so full of joy at her words.

“Nuh uh, I want the first original Frankie. It will be my most prized possession,” she says softly, pulling out cash from her pocket. “I only have fifty. Is that enough?” she asks hopefully, biting her lip, and I swear it takes everything in me not to tear up.

“That's more than enough, but I don't want your money. I want you to have the first original Frankie,” I say, smiling and placing it on her lap.

“Oh no, that won't do. What kind of best friend would I be if I didn't support your business? When your designs get big, and you're rich and famous, then you can make me my own custom outfit,” she smiles, holding the vest up to her chest. This time, I don't try to hold back the tears. I let them fall down my face. When Al catches it, it's her face that drops this time, and she rushes to wrap her arms around me.

“I’m sorry! I didn't mean to upset you. I won't pay for it if that's what you really want.” Her remark has me laughing and sniffling up the tears.

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