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Maybe even a big loser. BIG.
The photos are like a slap in the face that reminds me of the fact that I have no boyfriend, no hope of a husband, no money, and no access to exclusive vacations and private beaches.
“I want pizza.” Frannie pouts in that way that tells me she’s tempted to throw a temper tantrum. I love her, but I know that she goes into spoiled toddler mode if she doesn’t get her own way. Her dad likes to give her everything she wants because he feels guilty that she doesn’t have a mom. I don’t know exactly what happened, but I do know that there doesn’t seem to be any other female presence in Frannie’s life.
“Frannie…” I pause and give her my widest smile. “I have an idea.”
“Yes?” she asks hopefully, her big eyes staring at me. I start to feel slightly guilty because I know my suggestion is not going to be what she wants to hear.
“So what if we have a—”
“I want pepperoni and pineapple on my pizza. I like pineapple on pizza,” she says in her small voice, and I stare at her in surprise. She already seemed to have it in her head that I was going to say yes to the pizza.
“You like pineapple on your pizza?” I’m taken aback slightly. Who likes pineapple on their pizza? Especially what kids?
“Yes, and anchovies.” She rubs her belly, and I just stare at her. I’ve already forgotten what I was going to say.
“I don’t even…” My phone starts ringing then and I stare at the screen.
“You can take it,” Frannie says, trying to peer at the screen. “Who is it? Is it Daddy?”
I glance at the screen and try not to groan. “Oh, it’s no one important.” It’s Colton. I have no idea why he’s calling me, and I certainly don’t want to speak to him. Even though my stomach is flipping in knots.
“You should pick it up,” she says innocently. “It’s rude not to answer the phone when someone calls you. That’s what Daddy says.” She folds her arms like my grandma used to do, and I sigh. I really do not want to answer the phone.
“I guess I don’t want to be rude,” I say as I answer. “Hello?” I try to make my tone as unpleasant as possible, even though my heart is racing. I still can’t quite get over what happened the night before. I don’t want to think about it. I don’t want to be reminded of Colton, and I certainly don’t want to be reminded of my brother walking in on us in the bedroom with me standing there with Colton’s boxers in my hands. I freeze as I think about what would have happened if he’d walked in while we were still in bed.
“Is that you, Ella?” Colton says in a deep voice that reminds me of Michael Bublé, and I wish that it didn’t because it’s turning me on.
“Um, who else would it be?” I retort and then look at Frannie’s curious eyes. She is really too young to be this nosy, eavesdropping on other people’s conversations.
“Where are you?” he asks, annoyed, and I frown slightly. What is with the attitude?
“What do you mean, where am I?”
“You need to get over to my apartment right now.”
“What?”
“It’s important, and I need you here now.”
“Can’t happen. I am currently babysitting and—”
“Babysitting who?” he cuts me off, and I roll my eyes.
“You don’t know her, and it’s none of your business anyway.”
“This is important. Get over here now. I mean it.” He hangs up the phone before I can respond, and I want to scream. I want to call him back and tell him off for being so rude and snappy. Who does he think he is talking to me like that? I am about to call him back when I see Frannie stepping toward me.
“Is everything okay?” she asks me, batting her eyelashes. Is she trying to be a child star or what?
“Yeah, it’s fine.” I sigh. “You know what? Let’s order this pizza.”
“Yay! Yay!” She jumps up and down, the excitement on her face making me feel guilty for not immediately ordering the pizza. “I love you!”
“And I love you, too,” I say, hugging her. “You are the sweetest little girl.”
“I know. My daddy says that to me all the time. I’m the sweetest girl in all of New York City and possibly all of New Jersey as well.”
