Finding The 10

32 - Three Weeks of Loneliness

Eli's POV

Three weeks.

That's how long it's been since I last saw Frankie.

Three excruciatingly long weeks.

She messaged Marco and said that she wasn't sure when she was coming home and apologized for leaving the way she did. She even asked how I was doing. Funny how she can ask Marco about me through a text message but she refuses to answer any of my calls or texts.

I have sent her countless messages and tried to call her but she never answers. I finally decided to give up last week and have heard nothing but silence.

I feel like all I have done in the last three weeks is work. I'm at the bar most of the time because my apartment still smells like her perfume.

Every inch of that place reminds me of her so I come to work to escape. The only problem is that I'm reminded of her here as well. It seems like I can't escape the constant reminder that is Francesca Marcello.

I'm wiping the bar down when Marco bounds down the stairs for his shift with me. Since Frankie left we pretty much work together every night we are open.

"Sorry, I'm late. But I have some news."

I lift my head expectantly as he continues.

"Beth and I decided to push the wedding forward. We are doing something really small and intimate. Only our closest friends and family."

"With your family that means 100 people." I say jokingly trying to get myself out of the sour mood I've been in for three weeks.

"Very funny and no. 30 people. That's it."

"How the hell did you manage that?"

"Well, I haven't told everyone yet. I'm letting them get their invites that I sent out today. Here's yours." Marco says handing me a simple black invitation with gold writing.

I skim over the details briefly but the one thing that stands out is the date.

"Marco, this date is next weekend."

"That's right."

"That's less than two weeks away."

"Sure is."

"How are you supposed to plan a whole wedding in such a small time frame?"

"It's already done. We aren't having a big party or anything. Just a small service in a nearby garden followed by a quiet dinner. I intend for everything to be done by 9pm."

Marco grins ear to ear as he speaks about the next step in his life. I am genuinely ecstatic for my best friend and I don't even have to fake it.

"Really? Wow. That's great. But why so soon?"

Marco let's out a huff and slides onto the bar stool that sits between us.

"I didn't want my mum to take over and plan everything like she did for the engagement party."

"That's fair enough. She is pretty controlling with that stuff."

Marco nods and runs a hand through his dark hair before catching my gaze and holding it.

"Yeah. And the other reason is that Beth doesn't want to be showing at the wedding."

Marco stares at me and waits for the penny to drop. It doesn't take too long.

"Is Beth pregnant?"

Marco nods wildly as his face turns upwards into a face engulfing smile.

"Congratulations!" I say and hug my best friend over the bar.