Page 30 of Gravity of Love
Her stomach was still hovering between “may revolt” and “open for business,” but she thought she might as well go for it, it’s not like she could embarrass herself any worse. And if she were eating, she’d have an excuse not to talk. Frankie reached in and pulled out the bacon and egg breakfast sandwich and took a bite.
Yaya lowered into the seat of her recliner. “So, Liam, where have you been? Why hiding all these years? What have you been doing with life?”
Frankie chewed, her ears wide open. If there was one thing about Yaya, she was not afraid to ask the tough questions. There was no topic too awkward for her.
“Well, I’m a doctor. I’ve been the attending physician at Pine Ridge General ER for the past seven years.” Garfield jumped onto Liam’s lap, and he began to pet him. “But I’m only going to be there for another week. I’m opening up a family practice here in Hope Falls.”
Frankie took another bite of the sandwich as she absorbed the scene unfolding. It was so strange seeing Liam in this environment. Sitting in Yaya’s front room. Petting Garfield. She felt like she was in an alternate universe.
Yaya’s entire face lit up. “I will know the new town doctor! That will give me street cred, as you kids say, in my canasta group.”
“We don’t say that,” Frankie said, her mouth still filled with food.
“Hush! No one talking to you!” Yaya waved her hand at Frankie.
“Excuse me for following along,” Frankie mumbled under her breath.
“If you need anything, you come to me. I know everyone. And if anyone gives you any trouble, you come to me.” She wagged her finger.
“I know some locals from working at Pine Ridge. And everyone I’ve met has been really friendly, really welcoming. Although, one person did call me aparty pooperlast night.”
Frankie felt all the blood rush to her cheeks.
“Party pooper?” Yaya laughed and slapped her knee. “Do you tell them that they are the rubber and you are the glue and it bounced off them and they stick to you?”
She almost got it. Sometimes American phrases still mixed her up.
“Did I tell them theystuck tome?” The way Liam said those words had Frankie’s entire body breaking out in goosebumps. “No, but I should have.”
Yaya’s phone buzzed, and she looked down. “I have to go! Renata is picking me up to visit Arthur.”
“I thought I was taking you,” Frankie said as she finished the final bite of the sandwich.
“No, you kids go outside. It is beautiful day.”
“You can’t tell me to go out to play like I’m ten, Yaya,” Frankie protested.
“Actually, I was going to go on a hike to the waterfall.” Liam turned to Frankie. “I don’t know if you wanted to?—”
“Yes! Yes, yes, she wants to go!” Yaya started to get out of the recliner but struggled.
Frankie stood, but Liam got to her faster. He easily helped her up and steadied her on her feet.
“Are you okay?” Frankie asked as she stepped beside her.
“I’m fine!” She waved her arms, shooing her away. “Go! Shower!”
“I don’t want to go hike.”
“Yes!” Yaya clapped her hands in Frankie’s face, and that meant she was serious. No one disobeyed Yaya if she clapped her hands in their face unless you wanted the wrath of Yaya, which Frankie did not. “You hike!”
Frankie’s eyes bounced between Yaya and Liam. She felt strange leaving the two of them alone. For one thing, she didn’t want Yaya to tell him that she and Tristan had broken up. If anyone was going to tell him that, it should be her.
As if sensing her hesitation, Liam said, “We’re fine. I actually needed to talk to Yaya about a few things.”
Now shereallydidn’t want to leave.
“Go!” Yaya shouted.
