Page 19 of Gravity of Love
5. things magically fall into place in the following areas: love, career, friendship
6.saves people
7.heals people
8.is the missing puzzle piece in people’s lives
“Not yet.” She crossed her fingers semi-sarcastically, before explaining sincerely, “I was actually engaged, but I found out that he cheated on me, which is why I am here.”
Frankie didn’t share private information with random strangers, but she knew Tiana, unfortunately, could relate. Frankie knew exactly who Tiana Marie was before she’d met her at the book club. About a year ago, she’d gone through a very public divorce with an NFL player who also cheated. She didn’t follow the NFL, or sports in general, but she knew Tiana’s ex in a six-degrees-of-separation way, except it was only two degrees. Her brother Niko played professional baseball. He went to the same D1 college as Tiana’s husband, or ex-husband, and although they played different sports, they’d beenseriousrivals. There was no love lost between the two of the men.
“Been there.” She smiled, but Frankie could see that there was still pain behind her eyes. “Listen, Jenna, who owns The Beauty Spot, right across the street, and I are going out to JT’s tomorrow night at eight o’clock. She—and she won’t care I’m telling you this because she talks about it very openly—found out her husband was having an affair with her best friend.”
Frankie gasped and covered her mouth. “No!”
“Yes.”
“That’s horrible,” Frankie spoke into her palm, muffling her words.
“I know.” Tiana nodded.
“I thought mine was bad.” She lowered her arm. “My ex cheated with Emmanuelle.”
Tiana’s eyes widened. “Emmanuelle, Emmanuelle?”
“Yes,” Frankie confirmed.
“Damn, girl.” Tiana lifted her hand for a high five.
Frankie wasn’t sure what she was high-fiving, but she went with it.
Tiana must have sensed her confusion because she explained, “Your fiancé?—”
“Ex-fiancé,” Frankie clarified.
“Yourex-fiancé pulled the hottest supermodel on the planet, and he is still blowing up your phone trying to get you back. I’m assuming that was him texting you. You hadthe look.”
“The look?” Frankie questioned.
“The ‘fuck all the way off’ look.”
Frankie laughed at the colorful and accurate description. She really liked Tiana. Zee would absolutelyloveTiana.
The brunette with the red-rimmed eyes emerged from the changing room, still rocking her ballcap and smiled as if she’d washed her face with cold water and hope. Unfortunately, the puffiness under her eyes and her clumpy lashes were a dead giveaway she was still going through it.
“Hey, thanks for coming to class. You were in the zone today. Are you new to Hope Falls or just passing through?” Tiana asked, voice gentle and coaxing, like she was talking to a wild animal that might bolt.
Frankie listened in, curiosity nudging her to lean closer. She didn’t know why she was so invested in the stranger’s story, except that she seemed so familiar.
“Neither, actually.” The woman took in a shaky breath as she slung her gym bag over one shoulder. “I live about thirty minutes up the road. My brother’s opening a family medicine practicehere. He got the keys to it today, so I’m meeting him here to see the space and help with the decor.”
Frankie glanced over at her as another sense of déjà vu washed over her. “Sorry, but you look very familiar. Have we met before?”
“Well, if you’ve ever gotten an X-ray at Pine Ridge General, then I was probably your photographer.”
“That’s it!” Frankie snapped her fingers, remembering her from the day before. Usually, she would have had no problem remembering someone she’d seen less than twenty-four hours earlier but running into Liam had short-circuited her brain. “I was there yesterday. My grandma was visiting Arthur Santino.”
The X-ray tech’s smile grew wider, steadier, and more genuine. “Lydia, right? She is a firecracker.”
