Finding The 10

34 - Questions

Eli's POV

"Have a good night." I say as I wave goodbye to the last customer of the evening.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Marco hands me a scotch and we toast to the coming event; Marco and Beth's wedding.

"To your big day." I say as we clink glasses and chuckle at ourselves.

"Two days until I'm a married man. I still can't believe it." Marco says with a wide grin. He hasn't stopped smiling since the day he announced the wedding date and I can't really blame him. He is getting everything he could ever want. A great woman and a baby on the way. It's the start to his whole new life.

"You better practice saying 'yes dear' because that's what 90% of being a good husband is." I joke as I gulp down the last of my scotch and head towards the bar for another.

"Yeah and the other 10% is buying flowers and jewelry when I forget." Marco quickly adds and we both see the humor. Beth is definitely a flowers and jewelry kind of girl.

Our laughter is soon cut short when the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs takes hold of the bar.

I stand up from my seat at the bar and head towards the sound ready to turn the person away.

"Sorry, but we're closed-" I manage to say but cut myself off as soon as the person comes fully into view.

It's Frankie.

Her black hair hangs down covering her shoulders and most of her back in soft waves and trundles. She is wearing her signature black spiked boots and skin tight jeans but today she is wearing a ripped Black Flag t-shirt that has seen better days. Her black lace bra can be seen anytime that she lifts her arm.

She has a duffle bag over her shoulder and a slight smile on her lips but all I see are her smokey eyes. The grey of those smoke filled pools stare at me and me alone.

My jaw drops and my mouth hangs open as I try to comprehend what I'm seeing. Frankie, in the flesh, is standing before me looking as effortlessly amazing as she always does.

"Hey." She says with a slight crack in her voice.

"Hey." Its all I can think of.

"Hey cuz. Take it you're back for the wedding?" Marco says as he stands and makes his way to my side.

"Yeah, that's one of the reasons. I also want to say sorry about skipping out on you guys. And I'd like my job back if you'll have me."

Marco scratches his chin and puts on a show of thinking about Frankie's apology but not even a second later I chime in.

"Yes. Of course you can." I don't even think before I speak. I just know that I want her near me again.

"Eli, I was gonna make her work for it. You spoiled my fun." Marco says as he smacks my arm mockingly.

Frankie smiles that gorgeous smile of hers and then moves to hug her cousin. The two embrace quietly but I swear I hear whispers.

As soon as Marco pulls away from the hug he turns to me with a smile.

"I have to get going. Beth wants me to pick up some banana ice cream and a jar of pickles. She is having some of the weirdest cravings lately." He says as he fishes his keys from his pocket and starts towards the stairs. "Good to have you back Frankie and I'll catch you later Eli."

With those parting words he bolts up the stairs, leaving Frankie and I staring blankly at each other.

"You came back." I say stating the obvious after an eternity of silence between us.