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“I am.” Franky grinned. “But I don’t know what to do about it because she’s up north for the summer with Luca.” He dropped his forehead to the table.
“Luca? That’s news to me.”
“Merritt told me. She’s staying at his place.”
Sebastian’s face screwed up, and he shook his head, dumbfounded.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“I feel like I should remind you that you’re supposed to be getting married in a couple months.”
“I know, man. I know.”
“But you don’t want to?”
“Ivy is a wonderful woman. But since we got engaged … no, since before your wedding, I’ve been feeling like something was missing, and I finally realized what it is.”
Sebastian waited quietly for the reveal.
“Skylar is my best friend. She knows me better than anyone. I don’t have that kind of relationship with Ivy. She’s great and all, but we barely knew each other before I proposed. And with Skylar … she just gets me. She supports me and encourages me. She wants my happiness above her own. She knows what I need when I don’t. And I’m such an idiot for not seeing that sooner.”
Sebastian pursed his lips.
“What?” Franky asked.
“This is my sister we’re talking about.”
“I know it is.”
“You remember our earlier conversation, right?”
“Yes, but things are different. I know what I want now.”
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “Do you? Because that’s not what it looks like from where I’m sitting.”
“Trust me, Bash. This isn’t some rash decision. I’ve been thinking about nothing but her for weeks.”
“How am I supposed to trust you? You say you’re in love with my sister, yet you’re engaged to another woman.”
“I’ve had feelings for Skylar for a long time, but I was afraid to admit them to you because you know me. You know my history. I knew you wouldn’t approve, so I tried to ignore them.”
Sebastian lowered his head.
“But then I kissed her, and I freaked out because I was so scared I’d mess things up and she’d leave me, so I put up walls so I could move on and keep her friendship. But everything was messed up after that anyway.
“Then I met Ivy. I didn’t expect it to get serious so quickly, but I thought she might be my chance to finally make a relationship work and keep Skylar’s friendship. But that didn’t work either. Because I don’t truly love Ivy, and I don’t want to be just friends with Skylar. And every minute that passes, I feel like I’m losing my chance to be with her.”
Sebastian stared down at his glass. “Man, I had no idea you felt that way.” He looked up at Franky. “I feel like this is partly my fault.”
“You were being a good brother, and I don’t fault you for that. If I had a sister, I would’ve done the same thing.”
“You know I’ll side with my sister in a heartbeat if things don’t work out between you two.”
Franky eyed him. “Are you saying you’d be okay with me and Sky? Because I know I could make her happy.”
Sebastian quieted for several long moments, putting Franky’s nerves on high alert. And then he smiled. “I would.”
“Really?”