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PROLOGUE
12 years ago
May
There was a spring in Franky Middlebury’s step as he walked up to the Schultz family home and rang the doorbell. Fresh out of college, he was looking forward to a relaxing summer break back home in Grand Rapids before he left town again for law school.
The door of the expansive eight-bedroom mansion opened, and he was greeted by Gerard, the Schultz’s butler. Sebastian, the eldest Schultz sibling and Franky’s best friend, had always described Gerard as a household manager, but it was more fun to call him the butler, and Gerard didn’t seem to mind. Franky kind of wished there was a Gerard at his house to manage the household, but it wasn’t in the budget. Not that his family was hurting for money, but their fortune paled in comparison to the Schultz Chocolate empire.
“Hello, Mr. Middlebury.”
Franky wasn’t sure how long Gerard had been working there, but he’d been around for as long as Franky could remember. He was looking a little more aged than last time Franky had seen him, though, with greying hair and goatee. But one thing that never changed was his kind eyes and impeccable manners.
“Hola, Gerard. How’s it goin’?”
“Fine. Congratulations on your graduation.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
Gerard nodded politely.
“Is Bash here?”
“Sebastian will arrive shortly. Come in and make yourself at home.”
Franky stepped inside. “Is anyone else here?”
“Miss Skylar is outside by the pool.”
“Cool. Thanks.”
Franky was no stranger to the Schultz’s home. He’d walked through their front door countless times over the years, always greeted warmly and welcomed in as if he were a member of the family. The days he and Sebastian had spent hanging out there during their childhood were filled with fond memories. And that’s how he envisioned the next three months. No studying, no schedules, no responsibilities. Just two friends making the most of summer before real life took hold.
He meandered through the house, taking in the space he knew so well. It hadn’t changed much over the years, except for the fresh floral displays and updated family photographs on the walls every once in a while. And he loved that it stayed the same. It was familiar and comfortable, like a home should be. The exact opposite of his parents’ house. His mom was constantly redecorating, even more so after he moved out, and he was never sure what he’d find when he came home, which was one of the reasons he’d stayed away so much during college.
He walked through the large kitchen, past the breakfast room to the open french doors that led to the pool area. His gaze landed on Skylar, and he stopped dead in his tracks.
She was wearing a bikini, lying on her back on a lounge chair, long brown hair the color of their Granny Schultz’s famed chocolate truffles fanned out behind her, eyes closed while sunning herself. He didn’t remember her legs being so long and shapely. She had clearly spent some time in the sun recently as her skin was tanned, and he wondered if she’d gone somewhere for spring break. He swallowed hard as his eyes continued to roam because Skylar had curves. Curves that weren’t there when he left for college. Curves he really needed to stop looking at.
Skylar had always been a pretty girl, and of course, he knew she would grow up one day, but he was unprepared for the transformation. She was no longer the little girl he had picked on, who acted like one of the boys, climbing trees faster than all of them, following him and Sebastian around as if they were the coolest guys on the planet. She wasn’t the skinny, thirteen-year-old girl who had waved goodbye to him from the doorway four years ago. No, this was a whole new Skylar that he had not been expecting.
Franky stood still just inside the door. He knew he needed to make his presence known, but he couldn’t speak, and he couldn’t seem to pull his eyes away.
“Hey, Franky!” Sebastian’s voice caused both Franky and Skylar to jump.
“Oh, hey, Bash!” he managed despite his rapidly racing heart.
Skylar’s wide eyes stared in Franky’s direction, and he gave her a nervous smile and a wave.
“When did you get here?” Sebastian’s gaze bounced back and forth between his friend and his sister.
“A few minutes ago.”
Sebastian passed on his way to the pool deck and elbowed Franky hard in the ribs.
“Oof!” Franky bent over, holding his side. “What was that for?”
Sebastian turned back and looked him straight in the eye, lowering his voice so only Franky could hear. “Dude, that’s my sister.”