Page 58 of Unwanted

Kissing him like he’s mine.

“What are we doing?” he whispers. It’s the same question I asked him only minutes ago, but his doesn’t have the same desperation. This time we were sated and he was nothing but curious.

I kiss him softly. “We’re taking one day at a time.”

19

FRANKIE

Seated at the kitchen counter, I swipe at the screen of my phone and put it on loud speaker while reading and responding to emails. My mind alternating between work and Arlo.

“Hey.”

“Oh, how nice of you to answer,” Jordan says sarcastically.

“Shut up,” I quip. “I spoke to you three days ago.”

“You emailed three days ago,” Jordan corrects. “And thanks for that email by the way. I loved reading that you’re not coming back home any time soon.”

I stop my typing. “I thought you said—”

“I’m joking,” Jordan says. “I told you when you left, take as long as you need.”

“I don’t know how long that’s going to be.”

The thought of leaving, especially leaving Lennox and Arlo, makes me feel nauseous. I’m not sure Lennox is as okay as he says he is, and the idea of never kissing or touching Arlo again breaks my heart all over again.

“Are you planning on coming back?”

And that was the million dollar question. I’d built a life for myself in Seattle. A great life. But what was the point of it without the people you love?

The people who made your days brighter and your nights warmer.

“Should I take the silence as a no?” he asks cautiously.

I still don’t answer him.

“Frankie?” he presses. “You there?”

“Can we talk as friends?”

“As opposed to what?” he asks.

“Just don’t be my boss right now,” I say. “And listen.”

“Okay.” His voice is clearly concerned now. “I’m listening.”

“I want to stay.” It feels as if I’ve confessed my deepest secret. “I want to stay, but I’m scared.”

“Scared of what?” he queries. “You know I have friends in LA who would give you a realtor job any day of the week.”

“Thank you, but it’s not that.” I close my computer, unable to multitask, and rest my head in my hands. “I don’t even know if they want me here.”

“Your family?” I can hear the confusion in his voice and I know it’s because I haven’t offered him more than dribs and drabs of information. And nothing about Arlo.

As far as he knows Clem, Remy, and even Lennox wouldn’t have a problem with me staying. In fact, they would very much welcome it.

“My ex boyfriend, Arlo, is here,” I say. “We grew up together and broke up four years ago.”

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