Page 23 of Better Watch Out
“He did so.” Frannie’s gaze drifted to her purse, where Andrew’s card was still tucked inside. She didn’t need it anymore since he’d made her add his number to her contacts and that thought made her cheeks warm.
Kevin McAllister swung a paint can from the banister, smashing Marv’s face. Frannie’s lips twisted into a sneaky smile. “I pepper-sprayed him.”
“You what!”
“I didn’t know who he was and he approached me at my hotel room door and he’s got these big, broad shoulders. And muscles.” Vivian’s softoohmade Frannie roll her eyes even though she was smiling. “And,” Frannie continued, “you know Ryan’s given me all of these what-if scenarios. What if you’re followed? What if you’re carrying groceries? What if your shoes are untied?”
“Wait, what?” Vivian interrupted. “Your shoes?”
“That’s from when I was a kid and never liked tying my shoes. As many times as he reminded me, I really thought I’d see more people tripping on untied shoelaces but once again he overplayed the threat.”
Vivian laughed. “Okay, can we get back to the pepper spray?”
“It’s not funny, Viv. I could’ve blinded the man. Or myself. Well, I could’ve if I had better aim but the bodyguard was ready and I ended up spraying the hallway.”
“I don’t think you can be blinded by pepper spray but at least you tried.” Vivian exhaled. “I would’ve loved seeing it.”
Frannie scowled. “I’m sure Ryan can use his FBI skills and pull the hotel security video.”
“Oh, you’re right.”
“Viv!”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. My husband may have gone a bit overboard with the whole bodyguard thing but hey, if he looks like Kevin Costner—”
“Who?”
“Kevin Costner.Kevin. Costner.” Vivian’s tone was properly appalled and it made Frannie smile. “Please tell me you know who the OG bodyguard is? Whitney Houston.” At that moment Vivian busted out in an off-key rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”
“Mercy! Mercy!” Frannie pulled the phone away from her ear. “I give in. I know who Kevin Costner is.”
“Whew! Because forget Christmas movies. I was about to pull out the DVD and force you to watch it with me. Twice—to really get the feel of the emotions.”
“I think my emotions need more Kevin McAllister.” Frannie watched as Kevin opened the door to his neighbor’s house, thinking he’d outsmarted the dimwitted duo. Her stomach clenched in new understanding when Harry grabbed Kevin and snarled in his face.
Frannie turned the channel. She knew how the movie ended—Kevin would be rescued—but after today’s events, the fear she was pretending didn’t exist was twisting her stomach into knots.
“What’s wrong?”
Pausing on a rerun ofThe Office, Frannie hesitated before answering Vivian.
“Frannie?”
If she told Viv what had happened, she would certainly tell Ryan and that was the last thing she needed. But then again, what if Andrew was already on the phone with him? Maybe if she gave Vivian a less-serious version, then—
“Frankie.”
“Oof, okay, okay.” Frannie wrinkled her nose. “You sound like my brother.”
“Then tell me what’s going on. Tell me why you’re not here in D.C. helping me prep veggies for homemade pizza night?”
A pang of guilt and longing warred inside of her. Frannie’s shoulders sank deeper into the pillows.
“Okay, if you don’t answer me in five seconds I’m going to send that bodyguard back to your hotel.”
“Sorry.” Frannie rubbed her temple. “It’s just that something happened today and I don’t want Ryan to freak out.”
“You’re starting to freak me out. What happened?”
