Endings, Beginnings, Espressos

Chapter 2: Happy New Years

"You made it!" You smile brightly as Frank appears at the door, engulfing you in a hug and kissing your cheek before handing you a box of beers. 

"Wouldn't have missed it" he winked as you walk over to the kitchen. "Jack, he's here" you yell, looking for Daphne who keeps disappearing on you, as the two men greet each other causally, it's not like they hadn't seen each other over Christmas.  

"So, not date?" you raise a brow. 

"Thought I'd just find one here" You roll your eyes "thanks" Frank adds after his playful comment as he takes a bear you hand him. 

"Well apparently the friend she was meant to introduce me too, has gone AWOL so.." Jack chides, his thick Irish accent making him undeniably gorgeous, where the hell was Daphne?

"Must have just seen your face earlier and ran off" Frank claps his mate on the back. 

"Funny" Jack flips his friend off before walking away to mingle. 

"So, how come you're setting him up with a friend and not me?" Frank leans back on the kitchen counter and swigs his beer as he looks at you, amused at the blush on your face. 

"Well, she's a little fragile at the moment, and you are like a bull in a china shop when it comes to hearts so.." 

"Little harsh don't you think?" He scoffs playfully "you're too uptight you know that?" He says walking around to face you. 

"I am not uptight, dick" you fold your arms mouth agape. 

"Come on then prove it..." he goads.

"Right I will..." You head over to the iPod you had plugged into the speaker and shuffle a more dane like playlist, earning an eruption of cheers from the guests. "Shots?" You ask as you walk past Frank to the cabinet where you keep your spirits. 

"Thats my girl" he says impressed. 

. . .

"WHAT IS LOVE..?"

"BABY DON'T HURT ME"

"NO MORE" 

You and Frank fall into a hysterical laugh as you start dancing the the 90s club classic. 

"I think, you should have shots more often..." He says as you both dance, badly, but also very flirtily, that was the problem with Frank, and you, neither of you could stop yourselves around each other and there was almost no hope when you were drunk. 

"No, because I make bad decisions when I'm drunk." 

"Like what? You're amazing when you're drunk" he laughs back.

"Hmmm.." 

"Like sleeping with her friends she's in love with..." You both turn to the voice that popped out of nowhere. Your friend Natasha smiles as your face drops and Frank looks at you confused. 

"Hi, I'm Nat!" She gracefully introduces herself, ignoring the awkward atmosphere. "Now I need to borrow the host for just a moment..." Frank nods slowly as you're yanked away, hearing you say you'll be right back as you're taken over to talk to Jack and another tall handsome man. Franks heart sinks a little so he decides to cool off and have a cigarette outside. 

. . . WITH FRANK. . . 

"Hey, you got another one?" 

"Yeah" Daphne hands the stranger a cigarette, he lights and mumbles thank you. 

"Happy New Year"