Chapter 21
Emily’s POV
The past two weeks have been a whirlwind. So much has changed, and I’m still trying to catch my breath. Surprisingly, Nina and I have grown closer, and I’ve even started to appreciate having Amanda around. But what’s most unexpected is how much Frank and I have connected.
He’s made me laugh in ways I haven’t in years and helped me rediscover a confidence I thought I’d lost. When he asked me out on a dinner date, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves that I hadn’t experienced in a long time.
It hit me then–this would be my first real date. Keith and I had never really dated. Our relationship was more about convenience, routine. If he came home for dinner, it was more of a rare
occurrence than anything else. But with Frank, it felt different. There was an air of anticipation, a sense that this was something special.
Nina was thrilled when I told her about the date. She immediately offered to help with my makeup and outfit, insisting that I needed to look my best. “You’re going to knock him off his feet,” she said with a grin, handing me a sleek, navy–blue dress. “You’re beautiful, Emily. Trust me, countless men would kill for a chance with you.”
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Her words made me blush. Compliments weren’t something I was used to receiving, especially not like this. Even my own mother had never praised me like that, always too focused on Lily to notice.
- me.
As I stood in front of the mirror, dressed and made up, I barely recognized the woman staring back at me. For once, I felt… beautiful, in a way I had never allowed myself to before.
When the doorbell rang, my heart skipped a beat. Frank stood there, holding a bouquet of white lilies, a shy smile tugging at his lips. “These are for you,” he said, his voice soft.
I took the flowers, our fingers brushing briefly. “Thank you, Frank. They’re lovely,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. Keith had never brought me flowers. This simple gesture meant more to me than I could express.
As we drove to the restaurant, Frank admitted, “I’ve been on countless dates, but I have to tell you, Emily, I’m more nervous now than I’ve ever been.”
I glanced at him, surprised. “You? Nervous? I don’t believe it.”
He laughed, a little self–conscious. “It’s true. There’s something about you, Emily. I want this to be perfect.”
The restaurant was far more upscale than I had anticipated. The soft lighting, elegant décor, and quiet murmur of conversation
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made it clear that this was a place for special occasions. I couldn’t help but feel a little out of place, but Frank’s reassuring presence kept me grounded.
I
“How did you find this place?” I asked as we were seated. “It’s incredible.”
Frank smiled, a touch of pride in his eyes. “I wanted to take you somewhere nice. My adoptive parents are big on fine dining, so I‘ ve been here a few times.”
“Adoptive parents?” I asked, intrigued.
“Yeah,” Frank nodded, his expression softening. “My mother was an addict, and my father wasn’t much better. I was lucky enough to be adopted by a really wonderful family. They’ve given me everything I have today.”
I teased him lightly, trying to lighten the mood. “So, you’re a trust fund baby?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Something like that.”
Frank’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he grinned. “And what about you, Miss Teacher? Let me guess–you were the overachiever in school, right? Straight A’s, always raising your hand, probably even sat in the front row.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, the playful banter easing my nerves.
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“Maybe a little,” I admitted, feeling a warmth spread through me. “But I bet you were the class clown, keeping everyone entertained.”
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Guilty as charged. But only because I knew it would make someone like you smile.”
As the evening went on, I found myself relaxing more and more. Frank had a way of putting me at ease, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I could just be myself. But as the restaurant filled
up, I started to feel a bit overwhelmed. The noise, the clinking of glasses, the laughter–it was all a bit much for me.
At one point, I accidentally choked on my drink, drawing Frank’s attention. “Emily, are you okay?” he asked, his concern evident.
“I’m fine,” I replied, though my voice betrayed my unease. “I’m just… not used to places like this.”
Frank looked around, as if seeing the restaurant through my eyes. “I’m sorry, Emily. I didn’t think… We can leave if you want.”
I hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Maybe that’s a good idea.”
We left shortly after, and to make up for cutting the dinner short, Frank suggested getting ice cream. “It’s a bit simpler, but I promise the ice cream is worth it,” he said with a wink.
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His suggestion was exactly what I needed, and I found myself smiling again. As we strolled down the street, ice cream cones in hand, the tension of the evening began to melt away.
We talked and laughed, sharing stories and teasing each other. It felt easy, natural, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, I felt a genuine sense of happiness bubbling up inside me.
Frank turned to me with a soft, almost tender smile. “How are you feeling now? Still nervous?”
I shook my head, a warm sensation spreading through my chest. “No, not anymore. This was perfect, Frank. Thank you.”
He winked, that playful grin returning to his face. “Good. That was the plan, after all. Making you smile is my new mission.”
His words made my heart flutter, and I found myself blushing. It was so easy with Frank, so different from what I was used to. I felt lighter, like I could finally breathe again.
As we continued down the street, our hands occasionally brushing against each other, the evening air was cool, a gentle breeze whispering through the trees. Everything felt right, like this moment was exactly where I was supposed to be.
But then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of something that made my heart lurch in my chest. Across the street, Keith and Lily were just stepping out of a nearby restaurant.
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The sight of them together hit me like a punch to the gut, and suddenly, all the warmth and comfort of the evening evaporated.
I stumbled, my foot catching on the sidewalk as the shock of seeing them stole my breath away. Frank’s hand was there in an instant, catching me, his grip firm and reassuring.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice filled with concern, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside me.
But I couldn’t respond right away. My eyes locked with Keith’s, and in that brief moment, I saw it–a flicker of anger and jealousy in his gaze. His expression hardened, but it was enough to make me realize that he wasn’t as indifferent as he pretended to be.
I forced a smile and turned back to Frank. “I’m okay,” I said, though my mind was still reeling. Whatever was going on with Keith didn’t matter anymore–I had to remind myself of that.
