---- Chapter 8 The girl who had tipped me off about Thomas earlier approached me after the incident. " Rebecca, why did the cops take that guy away?" "He's not a good guy." "He's so dreamy, and he was always helping out here. I thought you guys were an item." She clung to my sleeve, bubbling with excitement. " However, it's awesome you're not together! "I can't get enough of your sweets, and my brother is single too. Can I set you up with hime" Theld up a finger to stop her. "Thanks, sweetie, but I'm not looking to date right now." She did not get the hint, though. Three days later, she brought her so-called brother to my shop. Frank Johnson, blond and blue-eyed, had a face as ---- delicate as a porcelain doll, just like a girl's. He blushed as he said, "You're even prettier than your photos." The little girl tugged at my sleeve, her eyes wide with anticipation. "Hey, can I get a mango pudding, please?" Frank started showing up at my shop more often after that, like he could not stay away. I did not want him to get the wrong idea. That was why I asked him to meet me at a coffee shop for a chat. That was when I found out his mother and I came from the same country. "you know, girls back home are supposed to be shy and all. I bet I'm bugging you, always dropping by your place," he said with a sheepish grin. I handed him a glass of water and shared a bit of ---- my story. His eyes went wide with surprise as I finished with, ''Natasha's just being a kid, dragging you out for no good reason." I got up to leave, but Frank caught my hand. "I don't mind, not one bit." "Rebecca," he said, his voice serious, "I had no idea about your past. Just... give me a sec to wrap my head around this, okay? I really like you..." "Frank," I cut in, "we can't be anything more than friends." He looked like I had knocked the wind out of him, but then he nodded, his smile returning. "Alright, Rebecca. Friends first, I can do that." I was about to respond when someone grabbed my hand from behind. I spun around to find Thomas glaring at me, his eyes burning with anger. "Who's this guy, Rebecca?" he demanded.