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“I was worried about her.”
“I know you were, and I know it’s because you’re in love with her.”
Franky’s mouth fell open.
“I’m not blind, Francis. I could always see the connection between the two of you, but I wanted to believe you were being truthful when you said there was nothing more. I should’ve followed my instincts about this from the start and not let things get this far.”
Franky’s chin fell. “I’m really sorry for not being honest with you sooner, Ivy. I wasn’t even being honest with myself about Skylar until now. And I’m a horrible guy for hurting you like this.”
She looked pensive. “It’s strange, really. I don’t feel that upset, and I definitely don’t think you’re a horrible guy. I think you were just misguided.”
He shook his head. “You’re being way too nice to me, considering the circumstances.”
“Well, we do have to work together, so I’d rather we part on good terms.”
Franky stared at her in awe. “I was right when I said you’re an amazing woman, Ivy Prescott.”
Ivy gave him a little closed-mouth smile. “I should probably go.” She stood and walked toward the door and stopped halfway, turning back to look at him.
Franky stood as she lifted her hand and looked at the engagement ring then slid it off of her finger and held it out to him.
He walked over and took it back.
“Good luck, Francis.”
“You too, Ivy.”
THIRTY-SIX
Sky, there’s a package for you.” Izzy held up a small padded envelope.
“Who’s it from?”
She flipped it over and shrugged her shoulders. “It came Same-Day by courier from Grand Rapids.”
“Okay, thanks. Gus probably sent me something for work.” She took the envelope and headed across the property to the apartment.
Once inside, she made herself a sandwich for lunch and sat by the window that overlooked the rows and rows of vines. She glanced over at the package and thought about work.
She had missed her job. She hadn’t realized how much she loved being a part of the family company until she was away from it. For a while there, she thought she might need to leave it behind, that she couldn’t give the job the attention it needed. She even considered moving up north to the winery. Not that they really needed help, but they had told her when she first arrived that they always had a place for her if she wanted to stay. While the process did fascinate her, she realized rather quickly that it wasn’t for her. Seeing the package from Gus gave her a nudge that told her it might be time to head home.
She took care of her plate and sat down to open her mail, saving the package for last. But inside was nothing Schultz-related. It was a pink envelope and a flash drive. And her heart skipped a beat when she saw her name in Franky’s handwriting on the card.
She closed her eyes and took a slow breath in, letting all the nervousness she felt out on a slow exhale. Then she tore open the envelope.
It was a cheesy card with a cartoon and a sentiment about friendship. He hadn’t added much to the card except three words that shattered her heart.
I miss you.
Her hands were shaking as she took the flash drive to her laptop and pressed it into the USB port on the side. The drive opened on her screen, and she clicked on a file entitled “For Skylar.”
Her audio program opened immediately, and a familiar song began to play—the impromptu song Franky had written for her at the karaoke bar that night so long ago.
Only as she listened, she noticed he had added a verse and changed some of the lyrics.
Firelight and moonbeams
Best friends and big dreams