“It’s safe to come out.” I bit my lip as I heard her scrapping across the asphalt. Standing with my arms wide, I watched as her limbs trembled under her, struggling to get upright. The usually tamed salt and pepper curls were all over her face, but I could still make out the tears running down her cheeks. When she lifted her brown eyes to me, my stomach turned.
“Are you okay?”
My words snapped Margot from her daze, and she threw herself at me, sobbing. I looked over her shoulder at Frankie, but he was on his phone. “It’s okay, Margot. It’s going to be okay.”
“You saved me!” Her fingers dug into my arms. Wild-eyed, she peeked over her shoulder at Frankie, then back at me. “We need to call the police. Is he calling the police?”
As if on cue, red and blue lights sped past us, their sirens drowning out Margot’s rambling. “And what—”
“Why don’t you head inside? I’m sure the police will be looking for someone to talk to. I’ll meet you in there.”
Margot’s head bobbed, and she wandered inside, tripping on the threshold. I let out a relieved breath when the door shut. If she was inside, she was safe. I had to believe that.
“It’s Luca.” Frankie startled me, shoving his phone in my face.
“Luca?” I murmured.
“Sasha. Are you okay?” His voice was low, serious.
Without warning, a sob broke free from my chest, followed by another, until I clutched Frankie’s phone like a lifeline and cried nonsense at Luca.
“Baby, give Frankie the phone.”
“But, but—”
Frankie shoved off the wall and held out his hand.
I shook my head, giving him my back. “I need you.”
“I’ll be there soon. I love you. Now give Frankie the phone.”
Reluctantly, I passed the phone off.
Frankie watched me carefully while he listened to Luca. “Got it. I’ll keep an eye on her.” He slipped the phone into his pocket and tilted his head. “You okay?”
I nodded.
Rolling his eyes, he opened his arms and waited.
“I don’t need it,” I croaked.
He sighed and closed the distance between us, wrapping me in a hug. I tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold until all I could do was give in to the totally unexpected show of affection.
Rocking us side to side, he shushed and murmured kind words while I sniffled against his chest. When the waterworks stopped, he dipped his chin. “Feel better?”
I smiled, wiping under my eyes. “I guess. Where’d you learn to hug like that?”
“Pretty good, huh?”
“One of the best.”
“Thank my sisters.”
“Of course, the book club sisters.”
“They’d appreciate the nickname. Let’s head inside. You can harass me some more in there.”
“Promise?”