Finding The 10

23 - Mandy

Eli's POV

It felt so nice to just sit and talk with Frankie again. Things have felt so weird between us ever since we kissed. It finally feels like things may get back to normal.

I didn't expect her to ask for advice about her love life but I said what I think she needed to hear. She needs to get back out there, even if it means that it hurts me in the process.

I need to get back out there too. That's why I am sitting on my phone scrolling through a new dating app Marco signed me up for. So far I haven't come across any girls that really appeal to me but whose to say that there isn't one on this app.

I hear the door unlock and then in strolls Frankie. She is dressed in her usual black jeans, heels and shirt and sporting her hair in a crazy messy bun today. She could shave her head, wear a sack as a dress and not shower for a month and still be gorgeous.

"Hey." She says as she plonks down next to me on the couch.

"Hey. How did you go writing out your list?"

"Good I think. It's kinda scary and I will never show a single person but it's nice to finally know what it is that I really want."

"So I guess the real question is, where does Colt rank?"

"Not 100% sure really. But pretty high."

"How high?"

"Like 7. Maybe more."

"Wow, that's great. It's really great." I bite my inner cheek to stop myself from saying anything more than that.

I don't know why Frankie dating someone hurts so much. She is so perfect of course there would be a guy to sweep her off her feet the moment she became single. Even if she were into me, there is no way I could ever measure up to what she deserves or even wants.

"So tell me about this guy?" I ask unsure of why I am torturing myself.

"He's really nice. Totally different than my other boyfriends. I think that's what I need."

I nod silently and let her continue.

"He has a stable job and he's smart. I could definitely see myself with him in the long term." She says, unconvincingly.

"Why do I feel like there is a but coming?"

"Because there is. When we kissed I didn't feel that spark. I know it sounds stupid, but I always look for the spark to see how passionate we could be together."

"That's not stupid. I think passion is important in a relationship."

Frankie's eyes meet mine and I swear she sees into my soul with those grey eyes of hers.

A forced smile reaches her lips and then fades away just as quickly.

"I don't know. Maybe it will grow with time."

I narrow my eyes at her as she speaks of something that is obviously important to her in such an ill light.

I want to tell her not to give up. I want to say that she should keep searching for the one that sends chills down her spine whenever he looks at her. Hell, I even want to tell her to look my way.

But I don't.

I stay silent, scared to speak, until finally Frankie stands and heads to her bedroom.

As her bedroom door closes I feel regret and guilt pile onto my shoulders and suck me down into the couch.

....

I restock the fridge behind the bar as the speakers play a soft melody. I'm not in the mood for hard and fast music right now. I just want to relax.