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He stopped and stared at the flames. “Oh man, I was all prepared to go cut wood and rub two sticks together for you.”
She giggled. “Aw, thanks. That’s sweet.”
“I am a real sweetheart.”
“Yes, you are.” She smiled at him.
He grabbed a couple of cushions from the sofa and arranged them on the floor closer to the fireplace, plopping down on one and patting the other as he looked at her.
She sat down beside him crossed-legged.
“This is nice,” he said.
“It is.”
“I’m glad we came up early.”
“Me too.” She stared into the fire. “And thanks for letting me talk earlier.”
“Hey, I meant what I said. I’m here for you anytime. Anything you need. If you need someone to listen, I’ve got ears for that. If you need advice, I’ve always got plenty to say.”
She smiled over at him. “That’s the truth.”
He narrowed his eyes teasingly and continued. “If you need to get away, I’ll take you anywhere … in your car, of course.”
That made her giggle.
“And if you just need a hug, I have these.” He held his arms out, and she took that as her cue to move into them.
She wrapped her arms around his back, and he pulled her close and planted a kiss on her temple. It was the first affection he had shown her in weeks, and oh, how she wanted to stay right there all night.
“Thanks for inviting me this weekend, Franky.”
“Thanks for suggesting we come here. You’re the best.”
“No, you are.”
“No, you are.”
She giggled. “No, you are.”
“Okay.”
She let go and pushed against his chest, sending him tumbling backward off the cushion.
The cabin filled with their laughter, and they talked and laughed the night away, and though Skylar still longed for him to see her as more than a friend, she felt perfectly content. This was the best time she’d ever had with him.
NINE
The air was brisk, and the sun was occasionally obscured by clouds on Labor Day morning as thousands of people gathered to follow the governor of Michigan across the Mackinac Bridge. Franky and Skylar had arrived to meet his parents and the other lawyers and their families just before nine—a couple of hours after the first of the walkers had started on their journey. With traffic shut down until noon, they still had plenty of time to walk the length.
Franky couldn’t help noticing how pretty Skylar appeared in the morning light. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she wore a “Middlebury & Associates” long-sleeved T-shirt and body-hugging black leggings, which he was trying very hard to keep his eyes off of.
He’d been fighting his attraction to her for weeks, and last night, he had found it especially difficult to keep his hands to himself. Being alone in the cabin together was the ultimate test, and he’d never prayed so hard for self-control in his life. Skylar had been very cuddly, sitting close while they talked, making it difficult to pay attention. And her hugs were heavenly. He’d never felt happier than when she was in his arms, which made him wonder what if. But every time he let his thoughts travel down that road, he remembered that she was like family, and if it crashed and burned like all of his other relationships, there would be major fallout. Not just between them, but in his friendship with Sebastian and the rest of the Schultz family. As much as he cared for Skylar, he couldn’t risk that. She might leave him like all the others. And he couldn’t take the chance that he might hurt her and ruin the most important relationships of his life.
“Keep up, slowpoke.” Skylar broke his train of thought, and he walked faster to catch up to her.
“Should’ve had a second cup of coffee, I guess.”