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Skylar’s eyes widened. Smooth muscled chest, thick biceps that had been wrapped around her many times, and good golly, Franky had abs. She tried to look away, but she was unsuccessful. He clearly spent plenty of time at the gym these days.
“Hey, Sky, what are you doing here?”
“Uh … do you always answer the door in your underwear?”
He didn’t seem bothered by his lack of clothing. “Sometimes.” He stepped back and opened the door for her. “Come on in, and I’ll get dressed.”
She stepped inside his apartment and took in the place. In all the times they’d hung out, they hadn’t spent any time at his place. It was an open floor plan with high ceilings, but smaller than she expected. It felt very much like a bachelor pad, and she was pretty sure it was the same place he’d been living since he finished law school.
Franky in his personal space was kind of fascinating. He walked ahead of her, picking up discarded clothing, kicking shoes out of the way, grabbing a dirty plate and napkins from the coffee table. She tried to keep her eyes off of his backside in those boxers but was unsuccessful once again.
“I never would’ve pegged you for a slob.”
He looked back over his shoulder. “I’m not a slob. You caught me on a lazy day.”
“Sure.” She gave him a cute smile.
“So I’m not a neat freak. Sue me.”
“That’s your job,” she teased.
“Har har har.” He cleared a balled-up throw blanket and hoodie from the couch cushion and motioned for her to take a seat.
“Thanks.”
“Be right back.” He scurried off to his room and returned in a T-shirt and jeans. She couldn’t help but prefer him with less clothing.
He walked into the kitchen and returned with a bottle of water for each of them, then took a seat beside her and bumped her elbow with his.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“I had kind of a rough day, and I just needed my friend.”
“I’m sorry. Tell me all about it.”
Skylar spilled her guts, sharing about Sebastian’s announcement, her father’s decision about the president position, and Gus’s reaction.
“Wow.” Franky stared ahead. “That is a lot to take in.”
“I know. I don’t think I’ve really let it all sink in yet.”
“I can’t believe Bash is moving to Montana. That seems crazy.”
“Yeah, I can’t imagine Schultz Chocolate without him working down the hall from me.” The thought made her heart ache. “I don’t know if I want to imagine it. And the same with Gus. He was really starting to show up. We were getting into a groove, then everything went wrong. I don’t even know what to do. It’s been me and my brothers for years, and now, out of the blue, I’m on my own and in charge of it all.” She got a nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“Bash won’t leave you in the lurch. I’m sure he’ll help you out in the transition.”
“I don’t doubt that. I just …” Thinking about Gus’s reaction and how he left broke her heart, and tears surfaced again.
“Hey, Sky. It’ll be okay.” He put an arm around her, and her tears spilled down her cheeks.
She turned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist, crying into his shoulder.
“Let it out,” he whispered as he held her tight.
“I’m scared.”
“Of what?” He pulled back to look at her, his hand reaching out to brush away her tears.