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“Everything is changing so fast, and I want things to stay the same. I want my brothers to help me run the company. I don’t know if I want to do this alone.”
“Things can’t stay the same. Change is a part of life, whether we like it or not.” There was something in his eyes she couldn’t quite interpret, and he looked as if he wanted to say something more, but he didn’t.
“I know you’re right, but … what if I don’t want this. Without my brothers, there’s nobody else to take over, so I have no choice but to do it.”
“I know you. You’re strong, intelligent, and capable, and I believe you can do this. But if it’s not what you want, you need to tell your dad.”
She shook her head. “I’m just confused right now. Gus and I make such a good team. I wish my dad could see that. Now everything’s ruined. He’s probably going back to California again, and we won’t see him anymore.”
“Well, I know he’ll be here at least until next week because he and my dad are meeting with Milton and his attorney to discuss a settlement.”
“He better settle.”
“From what I’ve deduced about Milton, I really think he will.”
She let out a sigh of relief.
“So maybe you can talk Gus into staying before he takes off again.”
“Maybe.”
He wrapped his arm around her and leaned back, pulling her with him so she was tucked against his side. “It’s going to be okay, Sky.”
She turned to look at him. “Thanks for being here for me and letting me talk. I needed this.”
“Any time.”
Their eyes met and held, and his gaze fell to her lips. Her pulse quickened. Was this it? Was it finally going to happen?
“You know what we should do right now.” His voice was soft and deeper than usual.
She stared at his mouth. Making out on the couch for hours crossed her mind.
“We should go out and celebrate your promotion.”
Her eyes met his again. “I don’t know if I’m in the mood to celebrate right now.”
He abruptly stood and clapped his hands together. “Pick a restaurant, any restaurant. I want to spoil you tonight.”
“I just had dinner with my family.”
“Dessert then.”
“We don’t have to go out. I know you’d probably rather chill in your undies for the night.”
He laughed loudly and held a hand out to her. “Come on, Sky. I want to take you out.”
A slow smile spread across her face. “Okay.”
ELEVEN
Seeing Skylar cry broke Franky’s heart. She was so tenderhearted when it came to her family, and he loved that about her. He’d never seen the nervous, uncertain side of her, though. Knowing she wasn’t always as strong and put-together as she appeared made him feel even more of a connection with her, like they had more in common because of their work woes. And the fact that she’d turned to him when she needed someone to talk to made him feel good. Really good.
“Where would you like to go?” Franky asked Skylar as they walked out to her car.
“Captain Sundae closes for the season this weekend. We should go there one more time.”
“Good choice.” Franky climbed into the driver’s seat. “Want the top down?”