Free Thigh High by Bonnie Edwards Page B

surprised herself with the depth of her feelings. She was jealous! Not of Bernie, but of the trust her sister had in him. Dependable Bernie, always-there-for-Fiona Bernie. Frankie sighed and bit back hard on the jealous pang. “Bernie loves you, would die without you. Believe me, that counts for a lot.”
    â€œI know,” her sister responded in a broken whisper. “Believe me, I know. I thought it would be different, that’s all.”
    â€œMarriage you mean?” It was a supremely stupid question considering they’d been living together for years. Oh! The distress that had caused her traditionally minded parents.
    â€œNo, the other thing.”
    â€œAll that is being sorted out. We have responsibilities and I’m seeing that we all live up to them. Well, as much as I can, anyway.”
    Fee chuckled. “You’ve always been good at being responsible. While I’ve been nothing but a screwup.”
    â€œDon’t say that, Fee.” Anyone would have gone crazy given their situation. “You took the news about the thong going back exceptionally well.” That was a huge step for her shopaholic sister.
    Fee’s mood had changed from whiny to reasonable. Frankie made the best of it.
    She leaned back against the shady wall of Daniel’s boathouse. Wearing an old lady caftan topped with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, she blended in with a lot of the population on the houseboats. From a distance, she hoped her getup would make her look thirty years older. She hoped it was enough.
    â€œPoor Bernie,” Fee chuckled. “He’ll never see my pussy dripping in diamonds.” An image Frankie could have done without.
    â€œYeah, thanks for that, Fee. Just what I want emblazoned on my brain.”
    Fiona giggled, her sunny nature restored. “So, how are things with you?”
    She shouldn’t think it, let alone say it out loud, but it felt so good she had to share. “I’ve met someone.”
    â€œNo shit, who?”
    â€œIf you can believe it. A DJ.”
    â€œYou mean you’ve been partying? Hooked up at a club? That doesn’t sound like you.” The sudden concern in her sister’s voice warmed her. Maybe her family wasn’t as splintered as she thought.
    â€œNo, not a club DJ. He’s on the radio. He’s good, Fee. I just love to listen to his voice. He does a late-night blues show.”
    â€œDoes he know?”
    â€œOf course not. I can’t tell him.” She wanted to. She was missing out on so much sharing. All the getting-to-know-you stuff that was vital in the early days of a—she broke off the thought.
    â€œI guess you can’t.” There was a pause on the line, and Fiona moved away from some background television noise. “That’s better. Listen, Frankie, I’m glad you’ve met him. You’re way past due for some action, but you’re right to keep it to yourself. You can’t trust anybody.” Her sister’s firm, quiet voice surprised her.
    Fiona was rarely the one who chastised.
    Oh, but she wanted to trust Daniel. He inspired hope and confidence. If nothing else but these few days were in the cards for her and Daniel, she’d cherish them forever.
    â€œDon’t worry.” She cupped her hand over her mouth for more privacy. “I may not be around for the next few days, Fee. A guy with a camera showed up on the yacht. For now I’m hiding out with Daniel, but if I’m discovered, I’ll be moving fast.” Leaving Daniel.
    She patted Barkley’s head. He’d taken to sitting beside her whenever she ventured out on deck alone. Her little guardian.
    â€œHiding out with him? He must be important if you’re taking that kind of chance.”
    Again, she squeezed the phone tight. “He is, Fee. I have a lot of feelings for him already. He’s kind and protective and hasn’t asked me much, in spite of being curious. He’s