The Mistletoe Promise (The Wishing Tree)

7. Amanda

SEVEN

AMANDA

Two months later

Oh, I’m so going to kill Frankie. I stare at the beautiful bouquet of flowers that are outside my front door. I know that they’re from him. Every week since we’ve been home from the Maldives, there’s a big, beautiful, colorful bouquet waiting for me when I come home from work on a Friday, each one of them says.

Ready to take the next step whenever you are - Frankie.

I knew it was too easy the way he readily agreed with me about keeping things professional.

I sigh, picking up the bouquet and inhaling the sweet scent. Despite my frustration, I can't help but smile. Frankie's persistence is both infuriating and endearing.

As I unlock my front door, I hear my phone buzz. It's a text from Cherry.

"Girls' brunch tomorrow? We need to catch up!"

I hesitate for a moment. Part of me wants to curl up on the couch and binge-watch something mindless, but I know Cherry's right. We do need to catch up, and I've been avoiding social situations lately.

"Sure," I text back. "Where and when?"

"The usual spot, Noon. Don't be late!"

I smile, I’ve missed my girl and not to mention Juniper and Arabella. Those girls have been a lifesaver for me, they’re the best friends anyone could ever have.

A knock at the door has me frowning, I’m not expecting anyone. Hell, no one ever turns up to my house unexpected.

I open the door to find Jaxon standing there, looking uncomfortable.

"Hey, sis," he says, shifting from foot to foot. "Can we talk?"

I hesitate for a moment before stepping aside to let him in, I’m worried, he’s never usually so hesitant, so I’m wondering what the hell is going on? I lead Jaxon into the living room, my mind racing with possibilities. What could be so important that he'd show up unannounced like this?

"Do you want something to drink?" I ask, more out of habit than anything else.

He shakes his head. "No, I'm good. Thanks."

We sit down, the silence stretching between us. I can see the tension in his shoulders, the way he's avoiding eye contact. Whatever this is about, it's serious.

"Jax, what's going on? You're starting to freak me out a little."

He takes a deep breath, then finally looks at me. "It's mom."

My heart skips a beat. "What about her?"

He runs his hand down his face, releasing a heavy sigh. “She’s pregnant, Mandy,” he says softly.

My heart breaks, my eyes fill with tears. “What?” I hiss. “Pregnant?” I feel like I've been punched in the gut. The room starts to spin, and I grip the edge of the sofa to steady myself. "Pregnant?" I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper. "With... with Aaron's baby?"

Jaxon nods, his face a mixture of concern and anger. "Yeah. She told me yesterday. I couldn't keep it from you."

A hysterical laugh bubbles up in my throat. "Oh my God. This is... this is insane." I stand up abruptly, pacing the room. "How could she? How could they?"

"I don't know, sis," Jaxon says, his voice tight with emotion. "I wish I had answers for you."

I stop pacing and turn to face him. "Does Dad know?"

Jaxon shakes his head. "No, I wanted you to know first. Dad’s going to be pissed, Mandy, he hates her. Thankfully, Cherry will be able to calm him down."

I feel sick, this is too much.

"I can't believe this," I mutter, sinking back down onto the couch. "Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse..."

Jaxon moves to sit beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Mandy. I know this is the last thing you need."

I lean into him, grateful for his support. "What am I going to do, Jax?"

I wanted to get my life on track. I wanted to move on from this and now this happens? God, what the hell am I going to do?

“Want me to stay with you tonight?” Jaxon asks, his eyes are filled with worry and pain.

I shake my head as I rise to my feet. “No, I’m okay,” I whisper. “I'd like to be alone.”

He pulls me into his arms and holds me tightly. “I’m here if you need me, don’t forget that, okay? Never forget that?”

I nod against Jaxon's chest, feeling the warmth of his embrace. "I know. Thank you for telling me."

After Jaxon leaves, I collapse onto the couch, my mind reeling. The flowers from Frankie catch my eye, and suddenly, there’s only one person I want to see. I grab my phone and dial Frankie's number before I can talk myself out of it.

"Hey, Kitten," his deep voice answers on the second ring. "Miss me already?"

"Can you come over?" I blurt out, my voice shaky. "I... I need you."

There's a brief pause. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes," he says, his tone serious now.

True to his word, Frankie arrives exactly fifteen minutes later. One look at my face and he knows something's wrong. Without a word, he pulls me into his arms, and I break down, sobbing against his chest.

He guides me to the couch, holding me close as I cry. When my sobs finally subside, he gently tilts my chin up to look at him. "What happened, Kitten?"

I take a shuddering breath. "My mom... she's pregnant. With Aaron's baby."

Frankie's eyes widen in shock, then darken with anger. "Jesus Christ," he mutters. "I'm so sorry, Mandy."

I laugh bitterly. "Yeah, me too. Just when I thought I was finally getting over everything, this happens. I feel like I’m going crazy, like I’m losing it.”

Frankie's arms tighten around me, his warmth engulfing me like a protective cocoon. "Listen to me," he says, his voice low and intense. "This doesn't change anything about you or your worth. You're still the same strong, beautiful woman I've come to know."

I look up at him, my eyes still wet with tears. "Am I? Because I feel like I'm falling apart all over again."

He cups my face in his hands, his thumbs gently wiping away my tears. "You're allowed to feel that way, Kitten. But don't let this derail all the progress you've made."

I nod, trying to draw strength from his words and his presence. "I just... I don't know how to face them now. How am I supposed to look at my mom, knowing she's carrying my ex-fiancé's child?"

Frankie sighs, running a hand through his hair. "You don't have to face them. Not fucking ever. But no matter what, nothing is going to change how I feel about you."

My heart races and my stomach clenches. "How do you feel about me?" I ask on a whisper, leaning into him.

Frankie's eyes lock onto mine, intense and unwavering. "I think you know, Kitten," he says softly. "I've been trying to show you since we got back."

My breath catches in my throat. Of course I know—the flowers, the constant flirting at work, the way he looks at me when he thinks I'm not paying attention. But hearing him say it out loud makes it real in a way I'm not sure I'm ready for.

"Frankie, I—" I start, but he places a finger gently on my lips.

"You don't have to say anything," he murmurs. "I know you're not ready, and that's okay. I just want you to know that I'm here, for whatever you need. Whether that's a shoulder to cry on, someone to vent to, or..."

He trails off, his eyes darkening with desire. I feel a familiar heat building in my core, my body responding to his proximity despite my emotional turmoil.

"Or what?" I whisper, even though I know exactly what he means.

Instead of answering, Frankie leans in slowly, giving me plenty of time to pull away. But I don't. I meet him halfway, our lips crashing together in a kiss that's equal parts comfort and passion.

I melt into him, all thoughts of my mother, Aaron, and the baby momentarily forgotten. Frankie's hands roam my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

I moan softly into Frankie's mouth as he deepens the kiss, his tongue teasing mine. My hands slide up his chest, feeling the hardness of his muscles beneath his shirt. For a moment, I lose myself in the sensation, forgetting everything but the feel of Frankie's body against mine.

But then reality comes crashing back, and I pull away abruptly, breathing heavily.

"Frankie, wait," I gasp. "We can't... I can't do this right now."

He pulls back immediately, his eyes searching my face. "I'm sorry, Kitten. I got carried away."

I shake my head, trying to clear the fog of desire. "No, it's not your fault. I wanted it too, but..." I trail off, unsure how to explain the turmoil of emotions I'm feeling.

Frankie nods, understanding in his eyes. "It's okay. We don't have to do anything you're not ready for."

I lean my forehead against his chest, grateful for his patience. "Thank you," I whisper. "For being here, for understanding."

He strokes my hair gently. "Always, Kitten. I told you, I'm here for whatever you need."

I pull in a ragged breath. "Can you just... stay with me tonight?" I ask hesitantly and quickly shake my head. “Never mind, it was stupid.”

Frankie's arms tighten around me. "It's not stupid at all," he says softly. "Of course I'll stay."

Relief washes over me. The thought of being alone with my thoughts tonight is unbearable. "Thank you," I whisper.

God, I feel like I’ve been through a gauntlet. My eyes are heavy and my body feels weak. Will I ever feel normal again?