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“And the Zanettis will be there, obviously.”
“Obviously.”
Franky didn’t know why it bothered him that Skylar and Luca had a connection in the past. She said they had never dated, but he wondered if there had ever been feelings there for either of them. The way Luca looked at her made Franky want to punch him in that handsome face of his. But it wasn’t jealousy. He was just feeling protective of his friend. Yeah, that was it.
When they reached the end of the bridge, Fiona left her father’s side to run over and give each of them a hug. She was precious, and while hearing his ex-girlfriend’s name had surprised him, he couldn’t help but smile at the adorable girl.
“Are you thinking about Fiona?” Skylar asked when they walked toward the shuttle that would take them back across the bridge.
“She’s cute.” He knew she wasn’t talking about their adorable bridge-walking companion.
“I meant … the other Fiona.”
“I try not to think about her if I can help it.”
“Did you love her?”
He was thoughtful for a few moments. “I wanted to believe we had something special, but I don’t think I was ever really in love with her.”
“She’s a fool for letting you go. If I was her—” Skylar abruptly stopped talking as if she had said too much.
“If you were her, what?” He knew he shouldn’t go there with her, but he was dying to know what she was going to say next.
“Nothing, I just think she’s awful for doing what she did to you.”
He pulled her into his arms before they climbed into the shuttle, soaking in the feeling of holding her again, if only for a moment. “Thanks, Sky.”
When he let go, she smiled. Why did her smile make him happier than anything had in a very long time?
TEN
Change was in the October air, and not only in the leaves that were starting to turn bright autumn colors. Genevieve’s visit with Sebastian last month had gone very well, and the Schultz family was about to start planning a wedding. Skylar’s prayers had been answered, and she was overjoyed for her brother and his new fiancée.
After a nice family dinner to celebrate the engagement, they moved to the family room, where Sebastian stood by the fireplace, looking all serious and official. He had hinted at another announcement, and Skylar was dying to know what it was.
“By now, you all know that I’ve asked Genevieve to marry me, and she has agreed.” He couldn’t stop smiling, and Skylar could feel his happiness. “Before I decided to propose, I spoke to Dad and Mom about a decision I’ve made. Effective immediately, I will be stepping down as president of Schultz Chocolate.”
Skylar gasped. Genevieve’s mouth hung open. Gus looked pleased.
“I will be moving to Montana to be with Genevieve,” Sebastian concluded.
“What?” Genevieve shook her head. “No, you can’t leave your job for me. That’s crazy.”
“I’ve made my decision, darling. I can’t be away from you, and when we marry, I know you’ll want to stay on at the Rescue. You were meant to work there, and I won’t ask you to walk away from it.”
“But you love your job.” She had tears in her eyes, and it was clear she had no idea he was planning this.
He sat down next to her on the loveseat and took her hands in his. “I love you more.”
Skylar’s heart ached for that kind of love.
“Who’ll take over your job?” Gus interrupted their sweet moment.
“I’ve left that decision up to Dad.” He nodded toward their father, who had taken Sebastian’s spot by the fireplace.
“I’ve thought long and hard about this decision,” Dad said, “and I’ve decided Skylar will move into the position of president in Sebastian’s absence.”
Skylar’s heart leapt in her chest. What?