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“It’s okay.” She reached up and rested her hand on his chest, and a sudden warmth spread throughout his body.
Part of him wanted to move his other arm around her waist and pull her against him, just to see what it would feel like to be that close to her. His gaze dropped to her lips, and images of kissing her flew through his mind’s eye. He swallowed hard, his heartbeat picking up pace, and he noticed her breaths were coming more rapidly now too.
Don’t be stupid, Franky. This is sweet, innocent Skylar, who’s far too good for you.
This wasn’t the first time he’d been tempted to kiss her this summer, but he couldn’t, no matter how much he wanted to feel her lips against his right now. It would make visits home awkward and cause problems between him and Sebastian. Not to mention the age difference.
But she looked like she wanted him to. And he wanted to. So badly.
Against his better judgment, he leaned closer, and she mirrored his movement until her body pressed lightly against his. A millisecond before he lost all resolve, a giant wave splashed over their heads, courtesy of Sebastian’s sudden cannonball.
They wiped the water out of their eyes as Sebastian bobbed up from beneath the surface. His gaze was firmly fixed on Franky.
Skylar splashed her brother, who laughed and took off for the other side of the pool. She gracefully swam after him, leaving Franky alone, drowning in guilt for what he’d almost done.
After a night of swimming, plenty of laughs, and great conversation, Franky said his goodbyes to the Schultz family. He gave Skylar a quick hug because he knew he was being watched, and then Sebastian walked him out.
They shook hands, which turned into a hug and a few pats on the back.
“Good luck at the family biz, Bash.”
“Good luck at U of M.”
“Thanks, man.”
When they stepped back, Sebastian kept Franky’s hand in his grip for a few extra seconds and looked him straight in the eye before letting go. “This is kind of awkward, and I didn’t think I needed to say it, but I feel like I have to after what I witnessed earlier.”
Franky already knew what he was about to say.
“You know she’s only seventeen, right?”
“I know.”
“She’s barely out of high school, Franky.”
Franky raked his fingers through his hair. “I know, man. I’m sorry. But I swear to you, nothing happened between us.”
Sebastian eyed him. “That’s not what it looked like.”
Franky took his finger and drew an X over his chest. “Cross my heart.”
“I love you, man. You know that.” Sebastian paused. “And it’s because of our many years of friendship that I really don’t want you dating my sister.”
“Okay.”
“I don’t want to lose my best friend, and I don’t want my sister getting hurt, and I’m afraid both of those things would happen.”
Franky waved him off. “Say no more.”
“It’s not that I don’t think you’re a good guy—”
“Bash.”
“She’s never even had a boyfriend, and you don’t have the best track record—”
“Bash, stop. I get it. I won’t date Skylar.”
Sebastian looked him in the eye. “Promise?”