Page 16 of Better Watch Out
Putting his phone away, he noticed Frannie was smushed against the door, putting more space between them than was necessary. Checking his watch again, Andrew released a slow breath. Maybe he could get her a cookie and then get her in an Uber back to her hotel. Then he’d drive to the Waldorf, where he’d exchange places with Joey to get Frannie back to the airport. Ryan would just have to understand.
“So, this, um, list, is it some kind of last wishes from a dying relative?”
“What?”
“Isn’t that how it goes in the movies? Some dying relative hands off a list of things they wished they’d done while alive or something? And now you’re here trying to do it for them?”
“First, that’s a morbid thought.” Frannie pulled out the piece of folded paper and carefully flattened the creases as she unfolded it. “Second, this ismybucket list. Coming to New York for the holidays was a dream and …” Her voice grew quiet.
Andrew shifted in his seat, feeling like an absolute tool. Her boyfriend just broke up with her and that list in her hand was probably things she wanted to do with him. His jaw clenched and he forced his palms over the front of his pants to keep them from curling into fists.Who breaks a woman’s heart during the Christmas season?
It seemed too cruel even for the Grinch, which reminded him of Ryan’s text about Johnny Castillo and Andrew scoffed inwardly thinking that kid probably wouldn’t have run away from Frannie if he saw her now.
“Anyway, I already paid all of this money to come here and I want to make the most of my time here even if it’s not how I imagined it.”
His eyes caught on one of the items on her list.Nutcracker anniversary date.
Oof. His gaze traced the planes of her face as she stared at her list. He felt bad for her. How many of those items would remain unchecked simply because she’d chosen them to be shared with her ex as a romantic gesture?
“How long were you planning to stay in the city?”
“My return flight was scheduled for Saturday, so five days.” Frannie gave a one-shoulder shrug. “But Ryan wanted me to go to D.C. and hang out with my sister-in-law and niece.” She shot him a pointed look. “Apparently, he thinks I’m too naïve for the big city.”
The image of the man in the leather jacket flashed in Andrew’s mind. “He’s just concerned like any older brother would be, especially given what he probably sees in his line of work.”
Frannie tilted her head. “How do you know my brother?”
“He stopped a bad guy from killing me.”
Her eyes grew wide and Andrew hoped it was enough of a shock-and-awe moment that what he said next would carry the weight he needed it to.
“Look, it seems like you and your brother have a whole thing going on between the two of you but I think he really is looking out for your best interests. Maybe flying to hang out with your sister-in-law and niece isn’t a bad idea. I’ve heard there are fun things to do in the D.C. area for the holidays.”
“What my brother and I have going between us is him thinking he knows what’s best for me and I’m a little tired of planning my life according to his rules. Or any man’s, for that matter.”
That last part came out under her breath as she turned her attention back to the window as their Uber maneuvered through the heavy city traffic.
Andrew had the sudden urge to find Frannie’s ex and punch him right in the chiclets. If he hadn’t broken up with her, this whole thing wouldn’t be Andrew’s problem. As it was, he looked at the time on the driver’s radio and saw he was going to be lucky if he got to the Waldorf before Joey and Ms. Malone arrived. He hated how unprofessional this might look to their client.
Okay, new plan. Now that Andrew had safely whisked Frannie away from the man in the leather jacket, he’d get her a cookie and make sure she knew how to order an Uber back to her hotel after her stroll through the West Side. Then he’d call Ryan and let him know the change in plans and let brother and sister fight it out.
ChapterSeven
Chocolate.
Frannie inhaled deeply when she finally stepped into Levain Bakery. If heaven had a scent, it would be chocolate.
“You okay?”
Her eyes flashed open to find Andrew staring at her, his brow quirked in a way that was quickly becoming familiar and, she hated to admit, charming. Well, it would be charming if the rest of his expression didn’t look so … bothered?
It matched the look he’d given her when she told him she was staying in New York City and not going with him to the airport. Of course, that was after she practically pepper-sprayed him in the face. Which, to be fair, was Ryan’s fault for not letting her know he was sending some protection agent Chris-Pratt-lookalike to her hotel.
Those lines between Andrew’s brows had deepened when the Uber dropped them off in front of the bakery. There was a long line waiting to get into the tiny establishment and Frannie tried to convince Andrew he could leave, that he didn’t need to stay there with her, but he refused, mumbling something about safety before reminding her he’d promised to buy her a cookie. Since she’d pretty much budgeted her entire trip down to the penny, she was too embarrassed to admit that buying an almost-five-dollar cookie would leave her with less money to spend on dinner.McDonald’s hamburgers are still a couple of bucks, right?
“Hello?” Andrew waved a hand in front of her face and she blinked as a rush of heat warmed her cheeks.
“Sorry. Yes.” She quickly darted her eyes to the menu. “So, the cookies are good here, huh?”
