6. Frankie
6
FRANKIE
H umming, I studied the produce on the shelf in the grocery store. I wasn’t exactly sure what the bundle of green was, but I wanted to cook it. I grabbed it and put it in my basket.
I wasn’t the best cook. After my dad had died, Mom had gone back to work. She’d never had the time to show me, and I preferred to spend my time studying.
But New Orleans had some amazing food culture, so I was going to try and cook.
My cellphone rang and I juggled my basket and handbag. I snatched the phone up. “Frankie, here.”
“Frankie, did you forget I exist?”
At my best friend Lindsay’s voice, I smiled. “Sorry, who are you, again?”
Lindsay snorted. “How’s it going down there in the Big Easy?”
“Good. You should see my new lab, Linds.”
“Happy for you, Franks. But why did you have to go so far away?”
“You know Tulane is an excellent research university.”
“I know.” Lindsay huffed. “I just miss my bestie.”
“I miss you too. How’s Seattle?”
We kept chatting as I wandered the aisles.
“So, any hot guys at your new university?” Lindsay asked.
“Nope.”
“Oh, my God, there’s a guy. I can tell from your voice. You were always crap at lying.”
“There’s no guy…at the university.”
“Okay, but there is a guy.”
I sighed. “Sort of. I went to a party, and there was a guy, and we sort of kissed.”
“Was he hot?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe.”
Lindsay made a thrilled noise.
“Don’t get too excited, Linds. Turns out, he’s Reath Fury.”
My friend was silent for a second. “Why is that name familiar…? Wait, Reath, as in your brother’s best friend from the Army?”
“That’s the one.”
Lindsay started laughing. “Only you would accidentally kiss your brother’s best friend.”
“Thanks a lot.” I pulled a face. “Stop laughing. I think we need to get a friend divorce.”
“So, do you like him?”
“I barely know him, and he made it very clear it was never happening again.”
“Hmm, someone doesn’t sound happy about that.” There was a noise in the background. “Hey, Rob’s home early. I have to go.”
Rob was Lindsay’s firefighter boyfriend. “All right.”
“Don’t take forever to call me next time,” my friend said.
“I won’t. Miss you.”
“Miss you, too. And I’m secretly hoping you accidentally kiss Reath Fury again.”
“Goodbye, Lindsay.”
I slid the phone away, missing my friend. I made a mental note to give my mom a call, too. I moved to the register, and once I’d paid, I walked out of the store with my two loaded bags. As I headed down the sidewalk, I was grateful I’d found a rental house within walking distance to stores and cafés.
Glancing around, I spotted a man across the street with dark skin and black hair. My heart kicked in my chest.
It took me a second to realize that it wasn’t Reath.
I kept walking and looked up at the sky, annoyed at myself. I’d probably never see him again. I pulled a face. If I was being honest, a part of me didn’t like that.
The memory of that kiss was haunting me.
I shook my head and picked up my pace. Stop thinking about Reath Fury, Frankie.
What I needed was work. Later, I might duck back to my lab. It was all set up now, and I could get started on my work. Just the thought made me so excited.
If I could get to trial stages, it would be a huge accomplishment.
I still had a long way to go, and a lot of work to do, but the possibilities were endless. I knew I could help soldiers stay fit and healthy in the field—soldiers like Jack and Reath had been.
Jack told me that he’d once had a bad bout of food poisoning on deployment. He’d ended up in the hospital.
My ADAPT project could help eliminate that. Just the thought made me smile.
The man came out of nowhere.
He stepped directly in front of me, and I caught a glimpse of an ordinary guy—not tall or short, not big or small, regular face, brown hair.
He was scowling.
“Excuse me.” I sidestepped him.
He sidestepped as well and blocked my way again.
I felt a spurt of annoyance. I had food to cook—and potentially burn—and work to do. “You’re in my way.”
Suddenly, he reached out and clamped his hands on my biceps.
Shock punched through me, and I tried to jerk free.
His face hardened, and he yanked me forward.
One of my shopping bags slipped from my hand, and my carefully selected produce spilled all over the sidewalk. A red bell pepper rolled across the concrete.
“Let me go!”
“You’re coming with me.”
What the hell? He had an accent I couldn’t place. “I don’t think so.” I lifted my foot and stomped it down on his.
He made a small grunting sound, but he was wearing boots, so I clearly did very little. I swung my other shopping bag and hit him in the chest.
He staggered back and cursed.
I dropped the bag, then turned and ran.
What to do? Try to reach my house? Scream?
I heard footsteps right behind me. No .
Hard arms circled around me from behind. I struggled and twisted, then I rammed an elbow back.
My attacker’s arms only tightened.
Oh God. I was going to get abducted and murdered, and no one would ever find me.
“Hey!” a male voice yelled out from nearby.
My attacker froze.
I looked up and my heart surged into my throat.
Reath was sprinting down the sidewalk toward me.
“Reath!” I yelled and twisted again.
This time, I managed to get an arm free. I slapped back at the man behind me.
He spat out a vile curse, then he shoved me forward. I couldn’t break my fall. I hit the sidewalk on my stomach, the air knocked out of me.
Then Reath was there.
“Frankie? Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
I pushed up onto my hands and knees. “Where did he go?”
“He ran.” Reath’s tone was cutting. He stared over my head, and I could tell he really wanted to give chase.
Instead, he helped me to my feet. I didn’t tell him how glad I was he hadn’t left me. He dusted off my hands. My hipbone ached, but I didn’t think I was hurt.
“I think I’m fine.”
Reath glared down the street where the man had disappeared.
“My groceries didn’t make it,” I said sadly.
He cupped my jaw, and as soon as his fingers touched my skin, those damn tingles started again. I lost myself in his dark gaze.
Right now, I was just really glad I wasn’t alone. Or being dragged into some dark van by that guy.
“You’re all right,” he said quietly.
I was now.