Page 39 of Tangled Emotions

My face burned, and I dropped the coffeepot, splashing hot coffee and glass all over my feet. He lifted me up and set me on the counter in this weird ninja move. “Shit. Edie, are you okay?”

Evelyn and Big E came running from the back. And Frank came around, moving the glass with his foot. His strong hands gently slid from my knees to my feet. He removed my shoes and socks, and his fingers felt cool on my hot skin as he checked for cuts and burns.

“It all looks okay. Does it hurt?”

“It stung.” I looked down at his thick head of dark hair with a few silver hairs mixed in and found it hard to swallow. “But I think I’m good.”

“I’ll clean it up.” Evie disappeared into the back.

Frank looked at Big E. “Is there a chair in back?”

“There’s a couch in the office.”

Nodding, Frank positioned his arms and looked into my eyes. “Wrap your arms around my neck, sugar. You need off your feet for a few.”

I shook my head fervently. “You can’t carry me.”

“The hell I can’t.” He growled. “Up we go.”

Tears burned my eyes as he carried me to the office in back. I clenched them shut, listening for the telltale signs that I was too big.

This man was carrying my fat ass.

There wasn’t any grunting, groaning, or huffing and puffing. He followed Big E to the office and sat down with me in his lap.

“What happened?” Dad asked, coming around the desk.

“She dropped a coffee pot, sir.”

“Edith? Are you okay?”

Nodding my head, I sat on Frank’s lap quietly.

“Be sure to order a replacement.” He patted my leg and then I heard the office door close.

I felt tears running down my cheeks as I opened my eyes to find I’m alone with Frank.

“Edie?” He tilted my face up and wiped away a tear with his thumb. “What’s hurting?”

“You carried me.” I tried looking up to stop the tears.

“I know.” He cleared his throat. “Look, Edie, I can’t help how my body reacts to you, so I’m, uh, sorry.”

Twisting in his lap, I asked, “sorry for …” then I giggled. “Oh.”

I don’t know what to do or say. And I don’t want to think about how good his arms felt holding me.

“How do your feet feel?” Frank ran a hand down one leg, then the other, checking again for any cuts or remnants of glass.

“They’re fine. Thank you for reacting so fast.”

Could you sound any more like a dork?

“Not a problem, baby.”

“I should, uh, get some clean socks and get back to work.”

“You probably should.”