Sunset In Central Park (From Manhattan with Love 2)

“I know.” Eva slid the scarf through her fingers. “That’s one of the brilliant things about the place. I love New York. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, but I do wonder what it would be like living here if I didn’t have you, Paige, Matt and Jake. I’d be horribly lonely.”

“You do have us. We’re a community right here. You don’t need to be on an island to be part of a community, Eva. You just need to reach out to people, and you do that naturally. I don’t know what’s going to happen in our lives—none of us do—but I do know you’ll never be lonely. You’re like a lightbulb. People are always drawn to you because you brighten their day.”

Eva’s eyes filled. “That’s possibly the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

Frankie grabbed the box of tissues. “I’ve made you cry again.”

“But in a good way.”

“Is there a good way to cry?”

“Of course there is. Don’t you ever cry?”

“No. I have a heart of stone.”

Eva blew her nose. “Frankie, you have so much heart it’s bursting out of you.”

“That sounds messy. Not that anyone is going to notice in this apartment of yours. You’d better clean up before Paige comes back or she’ll freak.” Frankie flopped back against the sofa, wondering how to extract herself from this misunderstanding. “A wedding on Puffin Island is the perfect combination of all the things I hate in life.”

“I know. But you’re going, anyway. You’re incredible. And I’m sure no one is going to mention the past. It’s been ten years. Paige told me you bumped into your mother last week. Was that difficult?”

“Horrible. I can’t believe I’m saying this because we both know I’m not the biggest supporter of team Happy-Ever-After but I actually wish she’d meet someone she cares about. None of her relationships ever stick.”

Eva wrapped the scarf around her neck. “If she were a saucepan, she’d be Teflon coated.”

Frankie laughed. “That’s my mother. Nonstick.”

“Love is complicated.”

“You can say that again. And that’s why some people prefer to avoid it altogether. I’m one of them.”

“That’s not true. Take tonight—you’re up here with me when you’d rather be on your own. That’s love. Not romantic love maybe, but still love.”

“Who said I wanted to be on my own?”

“I know you. You were stressed about your evening, and when you’re stressed your response is to lock yourself away and read or fiddle with your plants. But you’re here. With me. Because you know I’m upset. You’re the best friend on the planet.”

Frankie’s

throat thickened. “Friend love is different.”

“Not really. Romantic love should be supported by a backbone of strong friendship. A man can be the best kisser in the world, but I wouldn’t want to be with him if he wasn’t my best friend. Listen to me, getting all emotional. Your least favorite thing. You see what I mean? You’re brave. You face what needs to be faced even when you don’t like the way it looks. Like my face when I cry.”

“Don’t cry.” Frankie’s discomfort had nothing to do with the fact that she was sitting on a pile of Eva’s clothes. Her friend had placed her on a pedestal and she was going to fall hard.

“It’s late. You should probably go to bed.”

Frankie looked at her friend, remembering the times Eva had been there for her. “Have you got the ingredients for that amazing hot chocolate you make?”

“Yes. Do you want to take a mug downstairs?”

“I was thinking I might stay the night. In Paige’s room.” Frankie said it casually. “It would be fun. You have whipped cream?”

“I always have whipped cream. You never know when you might need it.”

“Tonight is one of those times.”

“We could curl up and watch a movie together.” Eva brightened and then subsided. “Are you sure you’re not doing this for me? Because truly I’m fine. and—”