Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
CALYSTA
Whiskeys wasn’t too full for a Thursday evening. The hostess escorted us to a booth toward the back, on the opposite side of the kitchens. She handed us each a menu.
“Can we have the spinach-artichoke dip brought out soon?” Frankie asked before the hostess could even tell us our server would be right with us.
“I’ll let your server know. Enjoy your meal!”
“Thank you, but I have to ask, what if I preferred a different dip or was allergic?” I asked.
His face paled a little. “Are you?”
“No.”
“Good. I hope you’d have said something before I tried accidentally killing you. Plus, are people allergic to spinach?” He reached his hand toward mine and laid it palm up. I placed mine in his, enjoying the warmth and that it wasn’t super smooth.
“I mean, I’m sure there is someone out there with a spinach allergy.
I’m allergic to avocados. Now that was a pain in the butt growing up.
Mami always served slices of avocado on the side with rice, beans, and whatever protein we were eating.
When I was six, I found myself suddenly struggling to breathe. ”
“Avocados? Wow…” Frankie said. “So, no guacamole for you?”
“Nope. I also avoid bananas and kiwis. I can’t use latex either. That’s not so hard now, as there are plenty of alternative gloves. And I guess I should mention that if this progresses, we’ll have to use latex-free protection.”
“Good to know,” Frankie said as a plate of chips and steaming spinach-and-artichoke dip appeared on the table. “Thanks!”
The server took our drink orders and ran off to a group flagging her down.
“How was your day?” I asked.
His thumb drew lazy circles on the top of my hand. “Pretty normal. I worked on app development for a new contract and picked up Noelani from practice.” He adjusted our hands so our fingers were threaded. “And now I’m having dinner with a beautiful woman.”
“She’s not driving herself yet?”
He chuckled. “She’s got a license but chooses not to drive right now. I’m not complaining. It’s giving me more time with her. I gotta say, I’m not sure how I didn’t notice you around town until now.”
My cheeks warmed, and I smiled at the compliment. “Well, until a couple of years ago, I wasn’t available. It’s my only explanation for not also noticing you. Don’t get me wrong, I recognized you from coming into the pharmacy, but I’d not really looked at you, if that makes any sense.”
“It does, but it doesn’t matter now. Are you a St. Fleur native?” Frankie asked.
“Technically.”
Frankie laughed. “Explain.”
“Well, I was born here. We moved away when I was three, and I came back in fourth grade. You?”
“Funny. I was born here, went to public school until fifth grade, and my parents switched me to St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic School until I finished high school.”
“You went to Jackson Elementary?” I asked, my brain scraping around for any memory of Frankie.
“I did. I had Mrs. Buss for fifth grade and Mrs. LeMaire for fourth. You?” he asked, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
I shook my head as I dipped another chip into the creamy dip. “I had Mr. Williams for fifth and Ms. Ward for fourth.”
A shadow fell over us when the server returned. “Are you two ready to order, or would you like some more time?”
“I’d like half of a muffuletta, please.” My gaze moved to Frankie, to see if he’d judge my choice. While the dip was helping, I was hungry enough to eat a horse.
“I’d like the Cajun pasta with shrimp, please.”
I sipped on my water with lemon as the server padded away. “I haven’t dated anyone since Sergio died.” The words were out of my mouth before I even thought them.
Frankie smiled. “I tried years ago, before Talia moved to the city. Nice women, but it never felt right, so I quit trying. I figured I had plenty of time to wait for the right woman to appear.”
“You don’t have to flatter me. I already agreed to dinner with you.” I jokingly fluffed my hair.
Frankie chuckled. “Beautiful, confident, and funny. I’m feeling pretty lucky.”
Cocking my head to the side, I raised one manicured eyebrow at him. Frankie’s face blanched before I burst into laughter. “I mean, maybe not tonight,” I said, “but perhaps in the near future.”
“Oh, Calysta, you’re trouble, aren’t you?” he asked.
I shrugged playfully, feeling young and vibrant. At forty-seven years old, I wasn’t old by any means, but it had been a long time since I’d felt either. “Is that a problem?”
Frankie’s eyes darkened, and a shiver ran through me. He leaned forward, and his voice was husky when he whispered, “Not at all.”
Heat shot to my core with those three words. It didn’t matter that my body was no longer thin, perky, or firm in all the right places. The way his eyes glazed with desire, I felt wanted like I hadn’t in longer than I cared to admit.
The air around us grew thick with arousal and excitement as we enjoyed our meal together.
I learned more about his daughter, which helped dampen the out-of-control heat causing my thighs to press together.
His marriage had dissolved amicably, and they’d managed to coparent with love and respect.
I was both impressed and relieved, not only for Noelani but selfishly for myself.
If I continued to pursue this attraction that only seemed to become stronger by the day, I was happy to know I wouldn’t have an angry ex-wife to contend with.
Happily stuffed, I declined his offer of ordering a dessert. Frankie paid the check, and we walked back to the pharmacy where we’d left our cars.
“Thanks again for the flowers and dinner. It was a really nice surprise,” I said, my heart pounding against my sternum.
Frankie slid his warm hand into mine and gave it a squeeze. “The pleasure was all mine. I’m just happy I didn’t scare you off by showing up unannounced.”
I set the bouquet on the roof of my car and turned toward him, our fingers still intertwined. “I like knowing I was on your mind.”
A boyish grin crinkled his eyes, but a shadow of insecurity swept it away. “Darling, I’ve been distracted by a series of nonstop thoughts starring you.”
I gasped at his blatant honesty. “I haven’t done this in a long time. Where do we go next?” My words rushed out in barely a whisper.
His free hand cupped my face, and I leaned into his palm. “This goes wherever we want it to go. First, I’d really like to kiss you, if that’s—”
I cut him off by pressing my mouth to his firm, full lips.
A little moan slipped from him, driving away the start of any embarrassment before it could take root.
I nibbled on his lower lip, and he groaned.
His lips parted, and his tongue teased the seam of my mouth.
I opened to him without hesitation and wrapped my hands around the back of his neck.
Frankie’s free hand cupped my round hip and squeezed as he pulled me flush against him.
Tingles ran along my skin when our tongues met in a tangle of sensual caresses. Moans filled the air as my body temperature rose with an all-encompassing need.
Frankie could kiss.
Toe-curlingly, panty-meltingly kiss.
If I weren’t infertile, I’d have feared spontaneous, immaculate pregnancy.
The mere thought made me giggle against his mouth.
Frankie pressed a quick kiss to my mouth and pulled back. His breathing was as labored as mine. “Should I be insulted you just laughed?”
Sucking my lips in, I shook my head as I tasted Frankie. He tasted of beer and spicy afternotes of his pasta. “Nope.”
He squeezed my hip and tipped my face, so my eyes were on his. “Darling?”
My cheeks warmed as I rolled my eyes. “You’re a really good kisser, and I just thought that if I weren’t already infertile, you’d have just gotten me pregnant.”
I held my breath as I waited for pity to shine in his eyes. One heartbeat passed, then two, and finally three, but only amusement flashed in his eyes.
“That was one hell of a kiss.” He grinned and kissed me again softly. “But it reminds me I need to be a gentleman.”
Surprise filled me when I needed to bite back a sudden groan of disappointment. He wasn’t wrong by any means. As much as I wanted to see where else his talents lay, I didn’t want to regret anything with him.
“It’s a good thing one of us is thinking clearly,” I said.
Frankie pressed his hips toward me, and I felt his unmistakable erection. “Just barely. I know you owe me nothing, but will you ease my mind by letting me know you got home safely?”
He kissed my forehead, and a shiver ran over me at the sudden loss of heat when he stepped away.
“I will.”