Get a load of me, get a load of you
walking down the street and I hardly know you
It's just like we were meant to be
-Liz Phair, "Why Can't I"
CHAPTER ONE
Everyone knows that a single woman, attractive and under the age of 40, has to be looking for a man. Much to the chagrin of feminists and forward-thinkers around the world, it's still difficult for the majority of modern society to accept the fact that maybe some women don't need, or want, a man in their lives. But instead of just accepting these women who choose to live their lives for themselves, we wonder what's wrong with them, what horrible quality they have that makes them unable to keep a man.
Though this societal norm of the need for a significant other is fairly evident to everyone, I do feel like a bit of a hypocrite criticizing it. I'm a happily married woman myself. I love my husband, and as much as it embarrasses me, there are things that I'm perfectly happy to let him handle in the marriage – like taxes. And mowing the lawn.
But then again, this story isn't about me.
This story is about the two people who no one would've put together. A woman who didn't have time or the desire to put effort into a relationship, and a man who did.
The woman is my best friend, Francesca Marie Darcy, known to her family and friends as Frankie. I've known her since we were in diapers. Our mothers lived just a few houses apart, and took the same Lamaze class, starting a fast friendship that would extend to their daughters. Frankie has never needed a guy to make her feel complete as a woman. Even in high school, she'd had a boyfriend or two, but it was clear to everyone who knew her that she was more independent in high school than most women are at 30. We both went to college at Northwestern, and after graduation both of us settled in downtown Chicago. Frankie immediately started her climb to the top, getting a job in marketing and working her way up the executive ladder faster than anyone ever had before in that firm. But as I've already said… though her career was more successful than she could've imagined, her social life wasn't quite as idyllic. She hadn't dated since college, and her social circle consisted mostly of me and a handful of other friends. Rather than going out to a bar on the weekend, she would stay in, reading whatever book she was wrapped up in at the time, working overtime for a particularly important client, or occasionally twisting my arm to get me to come to a ballet, opera, or orchestra concert. If there was one word to describe Frankie, besides "independent," it was "class."
The man is someone who probably never would've entered Frankie's life if it hadn't been for me – more specifically, me and my then-boyfriend, Charlie Bennett. The man that would turn Frankie's world upside down is Eddie Bennett, Charlie's younger brother. Frankie once told me that she had never been able to picture herself getting married, but even if she could, I'm guessing she wouldn't picture herself married to someone like Eddie. He worked for his father's construction company, with no more than a high school education, and lived in a run-down one-room apartment on the bad side of Chicago. He was total goofball. His first instinct was to joke around in an uncomfortable situation. Frankie eventually told me that there was a subtle masculinity about him that you could only see if you really drew it out of him, though I didn't think it was all that subtle – he worked in manual labor, for god's sake, all you would have to do is watch him hauling concrete around for a day, I'm sure his masculinity would be plenty obvious. He wasn't cultured, he listened to classic rock, and the only literature he read was the occasional Car and Driver magazine. The one word to describe Eddie? "Eddie." There was no other way to describe him.
Frankie and Eddie were two people who society would never put together… but fate had other plans.
It all started with a very important event in my own life… when my boyfriend proposed.
"You're WHAT?" Frankie exclaimed incredulously. Her best friend in the world grinned idiotically, holding up her left hand, which now held a modest diamond on the all-important finger. "But… I mean… when…"
"Just last night, can you believe it? I was totally caught off guard, but of course I said yes right away, I mean, I love him so much…" Jane babbled, looking down at her ring herself. She was so ecstatic she just couldn't contain herself. Frankie, on the other hand, was so shocked that all she could do was gape at her.
"Wow, Jane… I mean… wow…" She grabbed her hand to look at the ring more closely. "How did he do it?" Jane's gaze dreamily drifted to somewhere over Frankie's left shoulder.
"We went out for dinner at the same restaurant where we had our first date, and he had the ring nestled in with our dessert." Frankie smiled slightly at seeing her best friend's total elation… but even that couldn't ease all of her concerns.
"Janie… you know I'm happy for you, honey, and I know that you love Charlie… but are you sure this is a good idea?" Jane directed her gaze back towards Frankie, her smile diminishing.
"Of course I think it's a good idea. Why would I say yes if I didn't think it was a good idea?"
"I just mean… well, you guys have only been dating for what, a month and a half?"
"Two months, actually," Jane corrected her, folding her arms over her chest.
"Fine, two months… still, Janie, that's not very long. Your family hasn't even met him yet. I haven't even met him yet, and I'm your best friend who lives 2 minutes away who you see constantly!"
"I know all this, Frankie."
"Well, then… do you see where I'm coming from?" Jane looked Frankie straight in the eye. Not many people had the guts to look Francesca Darcy in the eye and contradict her. She was a powerful, independent woman, which is intimidating to a lot of people. But when Jane looked at her, she just saw the little girl who used to refuse to let her mother brush her hair, and she wasn't afraid to look her best friend Frankie in the eye.
"I can see how you would think that, yes, because you're not me. This may sound like the cheesiest thing in the world, but no one sees him like I see him, because no one sees him when it's just the two of us alone together, and no one feels what I feel about him… and I know it sounds ridiculous, but I just know that this is the real thing, y'know?" Frankie bit her lip.
"Okay, okay… I believe you," she said, smiling slowly. "Wow… I can't believe you're getting married." Frankie reached over to squeeze her hand, and Jane's smile reappeared.
"I know… it is pretty unbelievable." Frankie hugged her.
"You do have a point about not knowing Charlie though," Jane said after they had separated. "He and I actually talked about it after he proposed last night, and we decided to have a couple of gatherings so that all of our friends and family can get to know each other."
"I think that sounds like a great idea. I do still have approval rights, right?" Jane laughed.
"Of course."
"So when are you going to have this gathering?"
"Well I think the first thing we're going to do is just throw a simple party and invite all of our friends… we were thinking it might be fun to throw a party for that big Bears game in 2 weeks." Frankie wrinkled her nose and Jane laughed. "I figured you'd have that reaction, but hey, you can just come for the food and the company, right?" Frankie laughed.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"So guess what," Charlie said. Eddie took a swig out of his beer, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"What?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the TV with SportsCenter playing.
"Proposed to Jane last night."
"No shit. What'd she say?"
"Yes. We're engaged."
"Congrats, bro."
"Thanks. We're having a party in a couple weeks for the Bears game so we can introduce all our friends."
"Sweet. I'll be there."
"Good. Ooh, nice play."
"I know, Fullerton's gotta be up for MVP this year."
Frankie frowned at the wooden door with the small gold number 9 hanging slightly crooked above the peephole. She had already knocked twice with no response, and now she was wondering if she should just push the door open and invite herself in. She could hear people talking and movement inside… she was reaching for the doorknob when the door in question swung open.
"Hey, you're early," Jane greeted her. Frankie smiled sheepishly.
"Well yeah, don't you know me at all?" Jane giggled and stood back so that Frankie could walk in.
"Actually, believe it or not, you're not the first one here… although everyone here is one of Charlie's friends, so you are the first of my friends to get here," Jane said as Frankie looked around at the people lounging on the large black leather L-shaped couch that dominated the majority of the living room. The rest of the room was taken up by Bears, Bulls, and Cubs memorabilia. Frankie raised an eyebrow, her finger tightening around her black Coach purse slung over her shoulder.
"This apartment is very… charming," she managed. Jane leaned in closer.
"Don't worry, I know it's a total guy's apartment. The sports memorabilia will be the first to go after we're married." Jane winked and Frankie laughed, relieved. "C'mon in, I'll introduce you to everybody."
"Okay." Frankie followed Jane further into the living room, where Jane got the group's attention. Frankie looked around, suddenly realizing that she had definitely overdressed. There were about 8 people scattered around the living room, 6 of them guys, and every single one was wearing some sort of Bears spirit wear. Frankie fidgeted – and she never fidgets. It takes a lot to make Frankie feel uncomfortable, but in that moment, in her designer jeans, black button-up shirt and brand new Jimmy Choos… she definitely felt uncomfortable.
"Guys, I'd like you to meet my best friend, Frankie Darcy," Jane introduced her. "Frankie, this is Sam, Eric, Jason, Jason's wife Grace, Alex and his girlfriend Bailey, and this…" She reached over to the guy sitting on the end of the couch closest to her, pulling him up. "…is Charlie Bennett." Charlie smiled, looking nervous. He was cute enough, with bright red hair that looked like it wasn't easy to tame and a smattering of freckles across the bridge of his nose. Frankie smiled as well.
"Hi Charlie, it's so nice to finally meet you," she said, extending her hand. Charlie shook it, surprised by the firmness of her handshake.
"Yeah, you too, I've heard so much about you."
"Likewise." Their hands dropped to their sides, the moment turning slightly awkward. Frankie turned to face Jane. "Need any help in the kitchen, Janie?"
"Oh yeah, sure, c'mon in." Jane led the way into the small kitchen, which was covered with miscellaneous snacks and drinks.
"You need to chill out, girl," Jane said, handing Frankie a beer. Frankie wrinkled her nose, holding the beer as if it was a dirty sock. It wasn't even a lite beer.
"What are you talking about? I'm perfectly relaxed," Frankie lied. Jane looked at her skeptically, and Frankie rolled her eyes. "Alright fine, I'm not, but you have to admit it's an awkward situation. I don't know any of these people, I overdressed, we're going to be watching a sporting event that I have absolutely no interest in…" This time Jane was the one to roll her eyes as she reached over and popped the tab of the beer in Frankie's hand. Frankie took the hint and forced down a gulp.
"I know, but I just want you to try, okay? Please. For me." Frankie sighed and was about to reply when there was another knock on the door at the same moment that the oven started beeping. "Oh shit, I have to take these out of the oven… could you get the door? It's probably just the Chinese food, no one else is supposed to be here for another hour… my purse is sitting by the door," Jane called after her as Frankie headed for the door. Frankie opened the door as she leaned down to grab the purse.
"Hello… how much do we owe you?" she asked, glancing up at the man behind the door. He was tall and broad, with dark curly hair and dark eyes, wearing a stained white t-shirt and old ratty jeans, a large white bag dangling from his fingers. He raised an eyebrow.
"What?" he asked.
"How much do we owe you?" she repeated louder, digging through Jane's purse to find her wallet.
"I'm sorry… who are you?" Frankie frowned.
"What does it matter? You're delivering food, I have money, so why don't you just tell me how much we owe you?" she asked slowly, enunciating each word as if he were some kind of an idiot. The man smiled and chuckled.
"You owe me nothing, sweetheart," he said, brushing past her to come into the apartment. Frankie watched in shock as Charlie looked up and smiled.
"Hey Eddie, you're here early, I thought you couldn't be here until the 2nd half," Charlie greeted him.
"Yeah, well, Dad let me off work early," the man, who was apparently named Eddie, said. He set down his bag, and Frankie could see from where she was still standing by the door that it held a bunch of clothes. "Mom wanted me to drop this bag off for you."
"Okay, thanks." Frankie finally managed to close her mouth, though the feeling of mortification was spreading through her like never before. Eddie turned back and smiled at her.
"I guess we weren't properly introduced," he said, extending his hand. "I'm Eddie Bennett, Charlie's brother." Frankie composed herself as best she could, though she could tell that her cheeks were flaming red.
"Frankie Darcy," she said, shaking his hand. She couldn't help but notice the tingle that shot up her arm. She quickly pulled her hand back.
"What's going on over there?" Charlie asked, his attention torn away from the television. Eddie grinned.
"Frankie over here apparently mistook me for a delivery guy," Eddie said with a chuckle.
"Ed, leave the poor girl alone," one of the guys on the couch piped in. Eddie's eyes ran down the length of Frankie, and she squirmed. She never squirmed either – what was it about this apartment that was making her lose all of her composure?
"Let me guess… you took one look at my dirty apparel and 5:00 shadow and assumed I must be one of the help?" he asked. Frankie's jaw dropped again, in righteous indignation this time.
"Excuse me?" was all she could manage.
"Well, I mean, let's face facts… look at me, and then look at you… you're probably used to people like me waiting on you hand and foot, right?" Behind Eddie she could hear a few of the people chuckling, though she could see that they were all pretending they weren't listening. Except for Charlie, who looked fairly embarrassed.
"Eddie, she made a mistake, leave her alone," he pleaded with his brother. Frankie didn't give him the opportunity to tease her anymore – she spun on her heel and headed back into the kitchen.
"Where's the food?" Jane asked with a frown when she saw her. Frankie narrowed her eyes.
"Why don't you ask the delivery guy? He's in the living room talking to his brother, Charlie." Jane's mouth formed a small "o" before she started to laugh.
"I'm guessing Eddie gave you a real hard time about that," she said through her giggles.
"Yeah no kidding… god, what an ass. It was an honest mistake." Jane gave her a sympathetic look, though she couldn't seem to manage to stop laughing. There was another knock at the door, and Frankie looked at Jane pointedly.
"Go pay for your own damn Chinese food." Jane laughed and went over to the door.
A little while later, after arranging the massive amounts of food on the coffee and end tables in the living room, Jane and Frankie made themselves comfortable on the couch just in time for the kickoff. A couple more of their friends had arrived, and Frankie arranged herself between Jane and their friend Carly. Everyone on the couch dug into the food, and Frankie watched with her eyes wide as the huge platters became half empty almost before her eyes. She sighed and took another swig of the beer that she was still nursing. Eddie, sitting a few feet away, caught a glimpse of her and smiled.
"Aren't you hungry Frankie?" he asked with an annoying wink. Frankie narrowed her eyes. This guy was going from bad to worse, and it was starting to really piss her off.
"Actually, I am a little hungry… why don't you go run and pick up a couple of pizzas for me?" Every gaze in the room snapped towards her, but this time, it didn't faze her. She felt like she was in front of the boardroom pitching one of her million-dollar ideas… this was a lot more like it. Eddie raised his eyebrows. "Oh that's right… you're NOT the delivery guy. Right. Sorry, you just look like you belong in a pizza delivery truck. Keeps throwing me off." She looked back at the television, sensing that all of the eyes in the room were still on her. After an awkward pause, the first chuckles emerged.
"Well then… I guess she put you in your place," Charlie said, clearly amused. Frankie ventured a glance back towards Eddie, surprised to see that he was smiling too.
"Yes, that's right, she did… she has a place for everyone, and she put me in a neat little box clearly marked 'White Trash.'" Eddie's remark was greeted by a chorus of "oooh"s from the rest of the group. Frankie curved her lips into a smug smile matching his.
"No actually, your box is marked 'Asshole.'"
"Alright, that's enough," Jane interrupted. "Both of you stop, or I'm going to put you in separate boxes." Eddie shook his head, chuckling, while Frankie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. Charlie helped out his fiancée by changing the subject to the play the Bears had just made, and after a few minutes the tension finally eased again. Frankie had just helped herself to a plate of the orange chicken when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Charlie called over his shoulder. The door opened, and Frankie watched as a man she didn't recognize walked in. He seemed a bit more timid than the rest of Charlie's friends, walking slowly through the door with his hands shoved deep in his pockets. He had a messy head of mousy brown hair, and his chubby frame wandered into the room.
"Hey, Zach, good to see you, buddy," Charlie greeted him. "Come on over. This is my fiancée, Jane Bell, and her friends, Carly Lucas, Frankie Darcy, and Rachel Friedman. Ladies, this is my friend Zach Collins." Everyone smiled and greeted Zach, and he gave them all a friendly wave. His eyes scanned over everyone there, landing finally on Frankie. She gulped when she recognized the look on his face – his eyes widened, and a blush came to his round cheeks.
"It's uh, it's nice to meet all of you," he stuttered to all of them, though his gaze stayed focused on Frankie. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Eddie start to chuckle, which just made the situation even more embarrassing than it already was.
She sighed, wondering what exactly Jane was marrying into.
A/N: Thanks for reading everybody! I originally posted this over on and one of my readers there suggested posting it over here, telling me that I'd probably get a few more readers, so I did. :) I hope everyone's enjoying it so far! The story is already completely written, so I'll update fairly quickly. But please review! I love to hear what you all think. :) Thanks again!