Page 11 of Come Home to Me

“Exactly.” Frank sighs. “So, four hours in total once I get my happy ass back to Denver. I do my best to make it when I can because I know how important it is to her, but it’s just not going to happen tonight. I can’t afford to be late tomorrow.”

The fact that it happens at all makes him a saint in my book. “Well, you know what is going to happen tonight?” I ask.

“What’s that?”

I push off the window and pace the small distance to the bed. “You’re going to take me dancing.”

“Tonight?”

“Yep. I’ve been cooped up here long enough. I think it’s time I got out, and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather spend the night with.” That, and I can’t get the way Frank looks at me out of my head. He looks at me like he cares and as much as it hurts, I need more.

“That’s because I’m the only person you know in Colorado.”

“True. But I’m not opposed to going dancing alone. So, the fact that I even thought to call you is pretty huge.”

“Oh. Well. In that case, I’m honored.”

I picture him leaning back in a chair, his feet kicked up on a desk and find myself smiling at the image. “As you should be. I don’t bestow my attention on just anyone. I find it to be a waste of time, getting my hopes up, only to be let down.” And oh, how I’ve been let down.

Frank chuckles, his deep voice rumbling in my ear. “Way to put the pressure on a man who already told you he has an early meeting in the morning.”

“You like how I did that? Kind of pro-level stuff, huh?”

“I guess. If you consider manipulation something to be impressed about in the first place.”

I put my hand to my heart in Colton’s favorite gesture. “Ouch,” I say before I realize what I’m doing and drop my hand. “Maybe I just want to see you so badly I’m willing to stoop to any level to get what I want.”

“Or, maybe you’re not the kind of person who sits still very well and is willing to make someone feel special in order to make them give you attention.”

“Isn’t that basically what I just said?”

“Wow, Sarah.” Frank’s voice deepens. “Talk about a mindfuck.”

I laugh. “And think, that’s just what I can do with my mouth.” The long pause on the other end of the line unsettles me. Maybe I misjudged him? “So that’s a yes?”

Frank sighs. “How about a compromise? I can’t promise you dancing, but I’ll meet you for a drink at Derby’s.”

I squint at my reflection in the glass. “Deal.”

We make plans to meet in an hour and I hang up before tossing my phone on the bed. Thankfully, the Sarah who thought she was packing for her brother’s wedding thought to bring a range of outfits. I rifle through my bags until I find a short black dress, casual enough for the bar, but sexy enough to make any man take notice. I pair it with high-heeled ankle boots and a long chain that ends in a charm shaped like a delicate silver leaf. I muss my hair and darken my eyeliner and voila!

Not bad, if I do say so myself.

Frank Wilde will never know what hit him.

---