3. Amanda
THREE
AMANDA
Three months later
I sigh as I sit back in the seat. I hate flying but it’s a necessary evil. In the past three months things have been tough, but I’m finally getting back to normal. I still have people giving me sympathetic glances—that’s going to happen when your fiancé cheated on you with your mom—but I know that I’m better off without either of them.
I spent a week in Fiji with my brothers and my dad and Cherry flew in a few days after and spent the rest of the week with us. It was exactly what I needed, being surrounded by the people that love me. I couldn’t ask for a better family.
Right now, I’m heading to the Maldives where my dad and Cherry are spending their honeymoon. My dad rented out a villa for him and Cherry while Jaxon, Kieran, and I are staying nearby at an amazing resort. I’m excited, I’m going to enjoy the relaxation, sun, sea, and sand, before I start looking for a job.
A looming shadow falls over me, causing me to startle and quickly look to my right. My heart races as I'm shocked to see Frankie Caldwell standing there, a sly smirk playing on his lips. His dark eyes gleam with mischief as he looks down at me. "Amanda," he says in a low, smooth voice that sends chills down my spine.
God that man is sexy as hell, he’s in his late thirties and looks good for his age. The only downside to it, he’s married to my best friend’s mom. From what Cherry says, they’re in the midst of a divorce, but he’s still married, technically.
I swallow hard, trying to calm my racing heart. "Frankie," I manage to reply, my voice sounding breathier than I intended. "What are you doing here?"
He chuckles, a deep, rich sound that makes my stomach flutter. "I could ask you the same thing, Amanda. Mind if I sit?" Without waiting for an answer, he slides into the seat next to me, his muscular thigh brushing against mine.
I shift slightly, trying to put some distance between us, but the airplane seats are too cramped. "I'm headed to the Maldives," I explain, keeping my voice as neutral as possible. "Family vacation."
Frankie raises an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "What a coincidence. So am I. Cherry invited me."
My mind races. He’ll be vacationing with us?
My eyes widen in surprise. "Cherry invited you?" I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper. I know that he attended her wedding to my dad, but I didn’t realize that they were close.
Frankie leans in closer, his cologne—a heady mix of sandalwood and something uniquely him—enveloping me. "She did," he confirms, his voice low and intimate. "Between you and me," he pauses, his eyes meeting mine, "I think she's hoping it’ll piss off her mom."
I laugh. “Anything to piss off Vivian is always a plus in my books.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth I grimace. “Shit, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean?—”
He places his hand on my knee, running his thumb along my skin. “You didn’t offend me. Not in the slightest. Why do you think I’m here?” he asks with a raised brow.
"I know you and Vivian are getting divorced, but-"
His hand on my knee tightens a little. "It's done, Amanda. The papers were finalized last week."
I blink in surprise. Cherry hadn't mentioned that. Does she even know?
"Oh," I manage to say, trying to keep my voice steady. "Well, I’m glad you’re here then."
Frankie chuckles again, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "You are?" he asks, his eyes searching mine. "Because you don't sound too thrilled about it, Amanda."
I open my mouth to protest, but no words come out. Instead, I find myself lost in his intense gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. The air between us feels charged, electric. Why am I so attracted to him? It’s been this way since I met him three years ago, but I always pushed it out of my mind.
“No, I’m just glad you have some freedom. I know what Vivian is like.” She’s the worst mom ever and that’s saying something considering who my mom is. I think Cherry and I have a lot in common, both our moms are complete bitches.
Frankie leans in closer, his breath warm on my ear as he whispers. "Which means I'm free to pursue what I want.”
Shivers run down my spine. I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "I am glad you’re able to do that," I say, glad my voice doesn’t betray me.
Frankie's hand is still on my knee, his touch burning through the fabric of my jeans. "So am I," he murmurs, leaning in even closer. I can feel his breath on my cheek, and it takes all my willpower not to turn my head and close the distance between us.
"Frankie," I whisper, my voice trembling slightly. "What are you doing?"
He pulls back slightly, his dark eyes searching my face. "What do you want me to be doing, Amanda?"
The question hangs in the air between us, loaded with possibilities. I know I should push him away, remind him of all the reasons why this is a bad idea. He's my best friend's ex-stepfather, for crying out loud. But my body betrays me, leaning into his touch.
"I... I don't know," I admit, my voice barely audible over the hum of the airplane engines.
Frankie's hand moves from my knee, trailing up my thigh before coming to rest on my hip. "I think you do know," he says, his voice low and husky. "I can see the way you look at me, Amanda. We’re both single, so there's nothing standing in our way."
I close my eyes, trying to gather my thoughts. When I open them again, Frankie is still there, his dark eyes intense and focused solely on me. My heart races as I realize just how close we are.
"Frankie," I whisper, my voice trembling. "We can't... This isn't..."
But even as I protest, I find myself leaning closer to him, drawn in by his presence. His hand on my hip tightens slightly, and I can feel the heat of his palm through my clothes.
"Why not?" he asks, his voice low and persuasive. "We're both adults, Amanda. Both single."
His words send a thrill through me. But I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. I'm torn between desire and doubt.
"But Cherry," I manage to say, though my resolve is weakening by the second. "She's my best friend. And you were married to her mom. It's complicated."
Frankie's thumb traces small circles on my hip, the gentle motion both soothing and electrifying. "Life is complicated," he murmurs. "But some things are worth the risk. Don't you think?"
I bite my lip, considering his words. After everything I've been through with my ex-fiancé and my mom, I should be wary of any new relationship, especially one as potentially messy as this. But there's something about Frankie that makes my heart race and not in a bad way.
I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head. "Frankie, I..." I trail off, not sure what to say. Part of me wants to give in to the attraction, to see where this could lead. But another part is scared, wary of getting hurt again.
Frankie seems to sense my hesitation. His hand moves from my hip to cup my cheek gently. "Hey," he says softly. "We don't have to decide anything right now. We've got a whole vacation ahead of us. Let's just see what happens, no pressure."
His words ease some of the tension I'm feeling. I nod slowly, offering him a small smile. "Okay," I whisper. "No pressure."
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, Frankie’s hand remains on me, and I don’t want him to remove it, I like having him close to me.
I’m being nudged awake. “Sorry, Kitten, but we’re on the descent, we’ll be in the Maldives momentarily.”
I blink at his words. “Kitten?” I ask as I sit up, noting that his hand is still on my thigh.
“You snuggled up to me like a kitten, but you have claws,” he says with a wink. “Are you ready for some sun and sand?"
I nod, feeling nervous but excited. I have no idea what to expect from this vacation, but I have a feeling that it’ll be fun. "Yeah, I think I am."