Hold on to Hope

Next, Frankie was handed a tiny box that was wrapped so pretty. The paper a shimmering pink, the ribbon streaks of silver.

Her hands started shaking when she saw it was from Evan. He was still standing way back in the back, but she knew he could feel the tremors of her anticipation. Knew he could feel her love that was already pouring out when she slipped off the ribbon, tore off the paper, and lifted the lid.

A shocked gasp raked her throat.

Pure affection.

Unending thankfulness.

Ceaseless love.

Trembling out of control, she reached and pulled the necklace from where it was nestled on a satin bed.

Never Cut Your Wings was written in a dainty white gold, and a unicorn hung from the ‘s’, a diamond on its horn.

Heart beating so hard it almost hurt, Frankie stood. She met his eye. Energy flashed. Their connection that they’d always shared so intense, making it difficult to walk, but she did it anyway.

Weaving through the crowd toward the one who invaded her thoughts and her mind.

Her best friend.

Her best friend who she wanted to be more.

Her best friend who she wanted to be her everything.

The only thing she wanted was for him to finally really see her the way she saw him.

All those wishes she’d cast praying for that very thing.

Would he see her now?

Could he feel the depth of her love?

He almost looked sad when she made it to him, something so tender and full of wistful devotion awash in those green eyes.

“Evan,” she whispered before she threw herself at him, hugging him so fiercely that she thought she could sink in and disappear in him forever. She kinda wanted to cry when he did the same, his arms firm and strong, so right when they were wrapped around her body. He murmured in her ear, “I want the world for you, Unicorn Girl. Go out and own it. It’s waiting on you.”

Pulling away, she brushed away her tears, hands on his shoulders as she offered him a smile that she hoped he could read.

One that promised him that he was her favorite person in the world.

That he had always been and that was never going to change.

That she was the one who was waiting on him.

“Happy birthday,” he gruffed aloud in that raw, sexy voice, and she was so desperate for him to kiss her right there.

Right out in the open.

He’d kissed her twice before.

Once when she was thirteen. One other time last year.

Both times it’d been her begging for it. Pushing through the attraction until he’d caved, groaning when his body reacted.

Both times Evan had torn himself away like he was committing some kind of mortal sin.

She wanted to wipe that from his consciousness. Show him there was no shame in the way that they felt.

Before she could throw herself at him, her friend Nina, cut in. “Hey, I have to leave in a few minutes. I wanted to give this to you before I go.”

“Oh, of course.”

Reluctantly, Frankie Leigh stepped away from Evan, hating that she was so rude that she was wishing that it was just the two of them right then.

Alone.

She gave him a soft look that promised later, and she turned away and dug into the gift.

Guests surrounded her as the celebration continued.

Rowdy and lively and fun.

But still, she couldn’t stop the anxious feeling that slithered into her spirit.

Unsettled and vacant.

Restless, she let her gaze hunt through the crowd.

Searching for him.

Already knowing he was gone before her eyes could confirm it.

She did her best to just wait. To enjoy her party.

She waited until the last person left, and she hugged each guest tight, telling them how grateful she was that they came.

She stayed and helped clean up the mess. Her daddy and her brothers took all the folding chairs and tables out to the shed, and she and her mama swept up the floors and loaded the dishwasher.

When they finished, her daddy looked at her from across the kitchen, his smile soft. “I can’t believe my baby girl is eighteen. Blows my mind . . . seein’ you all grown up. Wild Child.”

Tenderness filled his words.

Wistfulness overflowed, and Frankie wondered how much more affection she could take before she completely burst with it. Her voice quivered with sincerity, “I am so thankful that I got to have my childhood with you as my daddy. You were the best one I ever could have asked for.”

Emotion crested in his eyes. “You will always be my little girl.”

Crossing the room, Frankie hugged him tight. “And you will always be my daddy. Age doesn’t change that. Things just look a little different now.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he said with a rough chuckle. Nostalgia rimming his features, he touched her chin. “Good night, Sweet Pea.”

Frankie Leigh turned to her mama and hugged her just as tight. “Thank you, Mama, for being the woman I needed. The woman my daddy needed. Our lives were made complete in you.”