Sunset In Central Park (From Manhattan with Love 2)

Paige finished her toast. “A nondate. Sounds interesting. So what happens if they have a good time?”

“I don’t know.” Eva shrugged. “I guess they go on a second nondate and before they know it they’re nondating on a regular basis. Maybe there will even be a nonengagement and a nonwedding. As long as the cake is real, that’s all I care about.”

Paige raised her eyebrows. “You don’t think you’re jumping ahead slightly?”

“Someone has to. Frankie has been stuck in the same place emotionally for far too long. And she’s been stuck in the same place with her wardrobe, too. This has to end. I’m going to quietly slip a few things into her apartment and hope she doesn’t notice.” Eva frowned. “I hope Matt just grabs her and kisses her.”

“Stopping you right there.” Paige raised a hand. “I don’t want to think about my brother kissing.”

“I bet he’s an amazing kisser.”

“No! Don’t want to think about it. Go. Give Frankie the tunic.” Paige picked up her phone. “Are you sure you don’t mind if I stay with Jake tonight?”

“Mind? Why would I mind? I’m not your mother.” Eva adopted a serious face. “I hope you’re using protection, Paige, and making good choices.”

“You know what I meant.”

“I know what you meant. You’re worried I’m going to sit in a sodden heap all night, but I promise I’m not.”

“I don’t like leaving you.”

“Please! Am I twelve years old? I’m looking forward to having some ‘me’ time. I’m going to give myself a beauty pampering and have a Netflix marathon. Bliss.”

Paige gave her a long look. “You’re sure?”

“I’m sure. You don’t have to watch over me. It’s true that sometimes I’m sad, but that’s to be expected. I lost the only family I have and I miss her horribly. Sometimes life sucks. We all know that. I know you and Frankie both think I’m marshmallow, but I’m pretty resilient.”

“I know you are.” Paige gave her a hug. “And you’re not alone. We’re your family, too.”

“I know, but tonight I don’t need a babysitter. Go and fan the flames with Jake. But not so many flames you need the fire department. I’m still getting over the shock of seeing what Frankie wears to bed.” Patting her on the shoulder, Eva pulled away. “I have serious work to do. I need to make sure our Frankie doesn’t bolt the door and refuse to go on this date.”

“That isn’t going to happen.”

“You didn’t see her. She was close to having a panic attack.”

“Matt will handle her. And by the way, I’m making excellent choices, even though I may not choose to disclose all of them to my mother.”

Chapter Eight

Relationships are like Halloween. Scary.

—Frankie

Matt’s approach was to keep it low-key and casual, and as little like a date as possible, and the moment he saw how nervous Frankie was he knew he’d made the right decision.

“Frankie—”

“What? What? Do I look okay? You didn’t tell me where we’d be going so it was hard to know what to wear. I’m probably not wearing the right clothes—”

“You look incredible. Can you walk in those shoes? Because we’re going to be walking.”

“Of course I can walk. You’re mixing me up with Eva, whose shoes are like high-rise apartments. You think I look incredible? You like the tunic?” She tugged at the silver tunic and he smiled.

“I hadn’t noticed the tunic, but now you mention it—” He saw her snatch in a tiny breath.

“Oh, that’s smooth.”

“It’s not smooth.” He slid his fingers under her chin and tilted her face to his. “It’s the truth. It’s called a compliment.”