My attraction to Frankie—Miss Francesca Cappelli—has skyrocketed. The sheath dress skims over the curves she has and showcases them flawlessly. Even dressed casually, Frankie grabs my attention. I wasn’t expecting professional Frankie. Focusing on her presentation was more difficult than I anticipated. More than once, I force my gaze to the screen instead of the cascade of her long, chestnut hair falling in waves down her back or the nip of her waist. Thankfully, the candidates provided a copy of their presentations for review by the rest of the hiring committee. I insisted on the actual interviews, which is the reason I’m the only person in attendance. The committee felt it wasn’t necessary but gave me the time to hold them anyway.
I need to review her presentation again to make sure I didn’t miss as much as I think I did. My attention was more on her than the presentation. Hopefully, I appeared to be fully engaged in her words and not the movement of her pouty lips. Lips I have wanted to kiss since I saw her earlier this week. I plan to review her bid proposal before I call her later, even though we shouldn’t discuss her presentation or the job. All I know is I can’t wait to call her, a feeling that only increased since she left here.
The last presenter is Liam Samuels. He has been angling for one of our projects for at least the last two years. From the instant he starts to present, I know his plan doesn’t meet the same level as any of the other candidates. In fact, only two from yesterday are still in the running for the job. I maintain my focus until he completes his presentation. After sending him off with my thanks and an indication I’ll decide by the end of next week, I return to my office. I have a solid hour before I want to leave for dinner with Ellie.
I open the file provided by Frankie and review it again—twice. Her proposal is thorough and extensive. Despite not giving it my full attention earlier today, I feel better about focusing more on her than work. If the committee awards her the position, it’ll be based on merit, not my interest in her, a fact I should probably convey to her.
With thoughts of Frankie floating in my mind, I drive home. Like Wednesday mornings, I love coming home every other Friday knowing Ellie will be there. “Ellie, I’m home.”
During our divorce, I bought Tess’s share of this house. It was my grandparents’ house, and I refused to let her have it. Petty, maybe a little, but she truly wasn’t interested. It’s a four-bedroom craftsman with original molding and hardwood floors. I’ve updated the kitchen and the bathrooms because the pink tile that was there didn’t work for Tess. Honestly, I would’ve upgraded either way. One bedroom is set up for guests and one as an office I rarely use. I use the master suite, and Ellie has the room at the top of the stairs. My style is comfier than most bachelors, but that’s because of Ellie. She adds pillows, blankets, and other décor whenever we shop. I want her to be comfortable here, so I don’t stop her.
She hurries down the stairs and hugs me. Ellie is tall for her age, but given my height and Tess’s, it’s expected. Tess is fond of saying Ellie is in an awkward stage. I don’t recall if my sister, Tamara, went through it, but I wasn’t paying attention either. My daughter is growing up too fast, and if I could slow things down a bit, I would.
“Hi. I’m sorry Principal Mulier had to call you today.”
“Don’t be. I’m glad she called. You know I don’t like giving up my time with you.”
“I know, and I’m glad. Did Mom already file the paperwork?”
Ellie is old enough to know what’s going on between her mother and me or, more accurately, between her mother and Michael. “She did.”
“I don’t want to move, Dad.”
“I know. I’ll make sure my attorney knows and you’re heard.”
She throws her arms around my neck and hugs me again. “Time to order, I’m starving. School lunch was gross today.”
I laugh and pull out the menu once we reach the kitchen.
“How was your science test?”
“Not too bad. Oh, do we have any plans tomorrow afternoon into the early evening?”
“No, why?”
“Kylie is having a few friends over to hang out around four. Can I go?”
I shrug. “Sure your game is at ten. I need to know which parent’s house.” Kylie’s parents are divorced too. Ellie and Kylie bonded over their shared experience.
“Thanks. I’m going to tell her I can hang out.”
As she scampers away, I place our pizza order and head upstairs to change. I exchange my suit for shorts, a Dave Matthews tee, and a light zip up. An image of Frankie in her red dress and heels floats through my mind. Before I think better of it, I text her.
Me: I’ll call you after pizza and a movie with Ellie.
Surprisingly, she replies immediately.
Frankie: Okay.
I’m not sure how to take her expeditious reply or the single word response, but either way, I’m calling Frankie later. Ellie opts for She’s All That. My daughter loves older movies, and I’m grateful she’s still interested in movie night with her dad. I’m sure it will pass. The pizza and mozzarella sticks are gone before the first half of the movie passes. We take a break for clearing and drink refills. After Zack and Laney have their dance in the backyard, Ellie hurries off to talk to Kylie on the phone again.
I consider waiting until Ellie goes to bed but decide I don’t want to any longer.
“Hi. I didn’t think you would call,” Frankie answers.
“I wasn’t sure you would answer.” My answer is honest and unnecessary at the same time.
A soft sigh comes through the phone. “Should we be talking to one another considering this afternoon?”
“I’m not sure, but the decision doesn’t rest solely with me. I insisted on in-person interviews. The rest of the committee is willing to decide solely on the presentations the bidding companies provided.”
“Oh, I wasn’t aware.”
“Honestly though, I don’t care. My ability to narrow down the candidates won’t be impacted. I wasn’t aware you’re the owner of a bidding company when I asked you on a date.” I hear her breathing, but she doesn’t respond to my statement. “Frankie?”
“Yeah.”
“What are you thinking?”
She exhales sharply. “I’m sure this breaks all kinds of unwritten dating rules, but could you turn on your video?”
“Of course, but why?” I press the video button and her gorgeous face fills my screen. She’s no longer wearing the red dress from earlier. Now she’s comfortable. Her hair is twisted on top of her head, and I can see a hoodie. It also appears she took off the little makeup she had on earlier.
“I’m better with this type of conversation face-to-face.”
“Okay. What are you concerned about?”
“Aside from earlier, I’m considering how much to divulge about the opportunity or if I should simply skip it and we should talk about other things.”
“Does your appearance have anything to do with earlier?”
“Meaning what?” The edge to her question wasn’t what I intended.
“Let me try again. Is every aspect of earlier off the table?”
She tilts her head, a small smile curls at the corner of her mouth, and she shakes her head slowly.
“I have seen you three, well, now four times. Casually dressed Frankie is beautiful and real while professionally dressed Frankie is a knockout. Both are insanely attractive to me.”
A blush creeps across her cheeks. It’s even noticeable through the phone. “Thank you. Wait, four times?”
I see her mind working. Now it’s my turn to blush. “I noticed you on Wednesday through the window when I arrived with Ellie.”
“If we’re making admissions, I saw you as well. I—”
“I… go ahead,” I offer.
“Getting back to this afternoon, I want to avoid talking about the bid until after a decision is made. I don’t want to share more than I should, and I don’t want you to either.”
“Okay, but does our current predicament mean you don’t want to go out on a date with me anymore?”
“Should it?”
I shake my head. “I certainly hope not. Frankie, are you free tomorrow night?”
“Yes, but I would prefer to wait until after the committee decides.”
“Sure, makes sense. Are you free next Saturday night?”
She smiles. “Yes.”
“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at six. Tell me more about you.”
“Other than my job?”
I shrug. “If we need to avoid work altogether for now, that’s fine. As you already know, I’m divorced. We have been for the last six years. My daughter, Ellie, is twelve.”
“What about your siblings? You mentioned you had two brothers and a sister.”
“After me is my brother Tobias. We call him Toby. He’s a plumber and rehabilitates abused dogs. Tim runs the community center with a focus on at-risk youth. Last, but certainly not least, Tamara, my sister is a real estate agent. You mentioned you have three sisters and a brother?”
“Yes. Rosalina, Lina for short, is the oldest. She’s divorced with two kids, Antonio and Emilia, and is a bank manager. Next is my only brother, Luca. He’s a crisis negotiation officer with the state police. He married Willa about six months ago. Then there’s me.” A small smile blooms on her face. “Lily, short for Lilianna, runs a hedge fund, and then finally Amelia is a college student at Southern Maine.”
“Your family sounds amazingly like mine. Do you have family dinners as well?”
She attempts to speak but fails. After regrouping, she says, “Yes, we do on Sundays.”
“We have ours on the last Sunday of the month.” I look over toward the hallway as Ellie appears. “Could you excuse me for a minute?”
“Sure.”
I turn the phone over my shoulder. “Everything okay?” Usually, Ellie just falls asleep, and I check on her before I go to bed.
“Yeah, I’m going to turn in. Night, Dad.”
“Good night, Ellie. Please make sure you’re prepared for your game before you go to sleep.”
“I will. Love you more.”
“Love you most.” She shuffles down the hall and turns out the light.
When I return to my call, Frankie is patiently waiting. “Thank you.”
“Of course. I should turn in too.”
“Sure. Can I call you tomorrow?” I would prefer to have our first date tomorrow, but I understand her concerns about the bid.
“I would like that.”
“Will I see you at Sweet Face in the morning?”
She shakes her head. “No, I have auntie duty tomorrow.”
“Have fun. Good night, Frankie.”
“Thanks. Good night.”
I end the call and turn to find Ellie standing beside me. “Who was that?”
I don’t hide much from Ellie. Clearly, she knows her mother and I won’t be getting back together considering Tess already married someone else. “Is everything good?”
“Yeah, I guess. Mom texted me a link to a house in Greenwich. I told you already, but I don’t want to move to Connecticut with Mom and Michael. Can’t I live with you?” Ellie takes a seat beside me on the couch and twists to face me with her knee bent in front of her.
“I understand this is tough for you. Ideally, we’ll create a fair agreement where everyone is happy.”
“I don’t want to change schools and lose my friends or my teammates. Is it even possible?”
“All I can promise is to do the best I can and make sure Attorney Kramer knows you want to be heard.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Ellie leans forward and hugs me. Generally, she’s reserved with sharing physical affection, so I’ll take what I can get. “Don’t think I forgot about my question. Who was on the phone?”
“Frankie. I met her at Sweet Face yesterday. Why?”
“Just wondering. It’s been a while since you went on a date.” My daughter isn’t wrong. My last few first dates have been atrocious, and I won’t share why they didn’t work out. I’ll find a woman who is willing to accept both of us. Maybe Frankie is that woman. The little information I know about her is promising.
I laugh. “How do you know what I do when you’re with your mom?”
She smirks. “I don’t exactly, but you haven’t introduced me to anyone, so I assume the dates aren’t going well.”
“Fair enough. The last few dates weren’t worth trying for a second one. I’m going out with Frankie next weekend.”
“Cool. I hope you get a second one this time.” She pushes off the couch and returns to her room.
“Me too,” I whisper. Instead of dwelling on the fact Tess is moving to Connecticut, I search for a restaurant for my date next weekend. I narrow it down to two near the water and head to bed.