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“Sure.” Skylar’s heart soared, knowing he wanted more time with her.
When they arrived at Schultz Cottage, Gus was just leaving the house with a box in his hands.
“Hey,” he greeted them. “What are you guys up to?”
Franky held his ice cream cup in the air. “Eating melted sundaes.”
"Mine never had a chance to melt." Skylar grabbed her empty container and carried it with her. “What are you doing?”
“Picking up some stuff I left here and trying to find things to do while I’m not at the office.”
“I’m sorry you have to stay away right now, but you can still help. You’ve been getting all the emails I’ve copied you in on, right?”
“Yeah, I get them, and I appreciate that. I just wish I could be there in the building, proving to Dad I’ve changed for the better.”
“I know. Just be patient. It will happen.”
He smirked. “We’ll see.” He put the box in the back seat. “You kids have fun.”
Skylar ran over and gave him a hug.
“See ya, Gus,” Franky said.
Gus departed, and they headed into the house. Skylar got bottles of water from the fridge while Franky slurped up the rest of his melted ice cream.
She giggled at the sight of him with his head tilted back, tongue sticking out to catch the last drop.
“You were right.” He licked his lips and swiped at his mouth with the back of his hand. “Tammy Turtle was tasty.”
She laughed and handed him a napkin before heading out onto the lakeside deck.
Franky followed, and they leaned against the railing to watch the sun dip below the horizon.
“It cracks me up that your family calls this place a cottage.” Franky looked back at the massive house behind them.
Her parents had owned this house on Lake Michigan since she was a little girl, and it was one of her favorite places in the world. It wasn’t small or simple as the name would suggest, with its three stories, multiple bedrooms, jacuzzis in every bath, game room, patio with hot tub, and great room with windows spanning the length of the house to showcase the lake. Definitely not the definition of a cottage. But despite its size, it had never felt anything but cozy and welcoming to her. It was a place she could go if she needed solace and had on many occasions.
“Lake Michigan sunsets are the best.” Franky raised his water bottle to his lips, and Skylar tried not to stare at his mouth.
“Yeah.” She glanced over at the fire pit. “Should we start a fire? I think we’ve got the fixings for s’mores.”
“Didn’t we just have dessert?”
“We could still start the fire.”
“If you want.” His eyebrows lifted. “Or I could kick your butt at pool.”
“You always say that, and I always beat you.”
“Once!” He raised his index finger in front of her face. “You beat me once.”
“Okay, it’s on!”
They both looked toward the house at the same time and took off, racing through the door and down the stairs toward the game room.
“Ready for another butt-kicking?” she threw over her shoulder at Franky, who was on her heels.
“Not tonight, my friend.” He let out a devious laugh as he cut around her and reached the pool table first.