"So have you thought about what you're going to do? I ask Claude.

He shakes his head.

"I don't think I'll do anything. I'm not really into it." He shrugs.

I roll my eyes.

"You only turn 23 once Claude. This is your Jordan year, you have to celebrate! I push.

He chuckles to himself.

"What are you going to make me celebrate my own birthday? He asks.

"If I have to." I nod confidently.

"You're not going to let this go are you? He asks.

"Nope." I shake my head.

"Fine. You can throw me a party. Nothing crazy, Frankie." He says.

"Yes, yes yes! I cheer.

"Nothing too crazy. I mean it." He warns.

"Don't worry, I know exactly what to do! Ugh I can't wait! I smile.

"Good luck planning a party in a week." He smiles.

"You're obviously underestimating my abilities. I'm great at planning. Even if your birthday was tomorrow, you'd still have the best birthday party ever." I boast.

"I doubt that you could actually pull off a birthday party in a day." He rolls his eyes playfully.

"Is that a challenge? I ask putting my paint brush down.

"Oh no. Just a fact." He smiles.

I scoff and fold my arms across my chest.

"When people tell me I can't do something, it simply makes me what do it more." I tell him.

"Oh trust me, I've noticed." He says.

"What's that supposed to mean? I question.

"Frankie, I've known you basically my entire life. You love to disobey your brothers, break the rules a bit." He shrugs.

"It's not like I like it, it's just that they can be really overbearing, and I'm not 17 anymore. There's no need for that." I say.

"Then why don't you just listen to what they say? He suggest.

"Claude I'm a grown woman. Why the hell should my brothers still be telling me what to do, when to go out and come back and how to live my life? I ask.

"Well you aren't the typical grown woman Frankie. Your family is in the mafia. It isn't safe for you to-"

"Did I ask to be in the Mafia Claude? No I didn't. I expected this from my brothers or Leo but I most definitely don't need to hear this shit from you too. I'm tired of everyone telling me what to do! I scoff.

"I'm not trying to tell you what to do Frankie. It's just that we don't want you getting hurt-"

"I train 24/7, I know how to shoot and I have a body guard for crying out loud. Who knows I'm probably still being tracked by you guys. I don't need anymore protection!

"I know but it never hurts to be sure. Last time we weren't careful and Ben-"

"Don't say his name! I stop him.

"I don't want to hear it. I don't care about him or anything that happened in Florida." I say.

"Okay. I'm sorry for upsetting you." He apologizes.

I shake my head.

He knows not to bring him up anymore.

I've expressed that many times.

"Whatever." I shrug and pick up my paint brush again.

Claude and I were on a paint date. Sort of.

It wasn't really a date but we were in Sophia Alice and I's apartment painting and we just had dinner a while ago.

Sophia Alice was with Chris.

We both sit there in silence painting on our canvases when Claude excuses himself to the bathroom.

I take a glance at my painting and his.

His painting was better than mine.

Time to be petty.

I take my paint brush and dip it in blue and paint a strip on Claude's canvas, ruining the color pattern.

I chuckle to myself and continue painting on my own canvas.

I hear the toilet flush from a distance and continue painting.

"What the fuck? His voice says when he returns to his seat.

Despite being annoyed, I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my mouth.

"Frankie what the hell? He asks with an annoyed expression but I could see the smile tugging on his lips.

"What? I thought it could use a little bit of....spice." I smile.

"Spice? Are you serious? He questions.

I nod my head.

"I was going to take this to my girlfriend! He says.

I roll my eyes.

"You don't have a girlfriend Claude."

"I know that but still, my painting was amazing. Better than yours."

"That's exactly why I decided to ruin it." I smile.

"You're evil. I hope you know that." He says taking a seat again.

"But you love me." I say.

"Questioning that." He pretends to think.

I laugh to myself and continue painting.

"What are you trying to paint anyway? He asks.

I shrug my shoulders.

I wasn't so sure myself what I was trying to paint.

"I don't really know. I'm just painting I guess." I say lowly.

He nods his head in understanding.

"Do you want to eat dessert and watch something? He suggests.

I totally forgot that Claude brought desserts.

"Oh yay. We can watch something on Netflix, I'm not sure if they have anything good though." I say.

"Can I choose the movie? He asks.

"Sure. I'll bring the dessert." I smile.

I take my apron off and wash my hands in the sink before reaching in the fridge to get the delicious red velvet cake that Claude had brought.

My mouth practically watered as I stared at it.

I grabbed two forks and plates and brought them to the table along with the cake, and began cutting slices for us to eat.

Fortunately Claude had settled on a movie so we began to indulge in cake as our eyes were glued to the screen.

_____________

"You know you're always welcome to sleep over right? I ask.

His cheeks rose as he smiled.

"I'm pretty sure Sophia Alice will be back soon and she won't appreciate finding me in her bed." He laughs.

"You're acting like we don't have 2 spear rooms. If you hate me just say that." I say jokingly.

He does a boyish laugh.

"Thanks for the offer Frankie but I have to meet with your brother early tomorrow." He explains.

I look down and nod my head.

Over the past couple of years Claude has gotten more and more involved with my brothers and the "business".

He had a lot more responsibilities now that he was no longer my body guard.

"Don't worry, I understand. Have a good night Claude." I say looking up into his eyes.

"Good night, Frankie." He says.

He leans in to kiss me and his lips linger on my cheek for a bit.

I watch as he exits my apartment and makes his way to the elevators.

Kisses on the cheek were normal thing for Claude and I, but I had no idea why today, this kiss left my heart doing backflips.