Page 106

THIRTY-FIVE
Time crawled by. Days dragged on. Not unusual for Franky’s normal workdays, but this felt so much worse. His heart ached. His mind was anywhere but on work, and he couldn’t have cared less. Every moment knowing Skylar was staying up north with Luca was making him crazy. He thought of little else. Was she happy? Was she falling in love with him? Were they walking the vineyard together, holding hands, while Franky sat in his stuffy office, looking over notes from boring depositions? What if she stayed there with Luca permanently?
Skylar’s face appeared in his mind—her warm brown eyes, that beautiful smile, those soft pink lips. His heart stuttered, remembering the kiss they’d shared in the wine cellar. And this wasn’t the first time he’d thought about it since that night. He had wanted to kiss her. For a long time. Since that night in the pool all those years ago and so many times since.
He should’ve been reading the email that was open on his computer screen, but it was a blur in front of him. Instead, he recalled that warm August night before he started law school. He hadn’t forgotten that summer when he’d first seen Skylar as more than a friend. Every once in a while, that night in the pool would pop into his mind, and he’d wonder what might’ve happened if he’d gone ahead and kissed her before Sebastian showed up. He’d never entertained the idea of dating her. But now that the thought was in his head, he couldn’t get it out.
He missed her. He needed her. He was miserable without her, and it took her walking out of his life for him to realize he had been for a long time.
“Knock, knock.” Ivy stood in his office doorway, tapping on the open door.
Nervousness and guilt overcame him. “Hey, are you ready for lunch?” he stammered.
She shook her head. “I know we were supposed to go out with Sebastian, but I am swamped. Will you be terribly upset if I can’t make it?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll give him your apologies.”
She walked over, circling the desk, and leaned down to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you. Have fun.”
He watched her walk out of the office, and relief flooded him.
Ivy was a great girl, but there was so much he didn’t know about her. So much she didn’t know about him. At times, he felt as if he was marrying a stranger, and he knew it wasn’t supposed to feel like that.
He turned off his computer and headed out to the restaurant to meet Sebastian, who was in town for the weekend. As he drove, his mind kept recalling Skylar’s words.
You have so much talent, and I know you can use that and find something you’ll be excited to do for the rest of your life.
Skylar believed in him. She understood his hopes and dreams. Ivy didn’t take his songwriting seriously, and she thought he should put more focus on his job.
The biggest problem in their relationship was that she wasn’t Skylar.
His hands shook as he walked into the restaurant.
“Hey, man.” Sebastian greeted him with a hug. “How are you?”
“Fine,” Franky answered.
Sebastian let go and looked him over as they took their seats. “You look like crap.”
“Gee, thanks.” Franky smirked.
“You look tired, that’s all. Are you okay?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“What’s up? Talk to me.” Sebastian took a drink of his water.
“I’m in love with your sister.”
Sebastian started coughing as the water went down the wrong tube, and Franky patted him on the back.
“Take another drink,” he said, trying to help.
Sebastian coughed several more times before recovering. “I’m sorry, did you say you’re in love with my sister?”
Franky’s fingers raked through his hair. “I think I am.”
“You think you are, or you are?”