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All I have to do
Is look at you
He changed the last two lines of the chorus at the last second.
This song’s for you, Skylar
You make my life brighter
He played a final chord on the last word, ending his impromptu songwriting attempt.
The spotlight from the stage illuminated the tears streaming down Skylar’s smiling face, and he was pleased that he had given her a little bit of happiness in the form of a song.
The room filled with applause, and he stood and took a bow before taking the stairs down and returning to Skylar.
She stood and opened her arms to him, still crying, and buried her face in his neck as he wrapped her up in his arms.
“Franky.” Her voice was muffled against his shirt. “That was …”
“Did you like it?”
“Thank you,” she said as she lifted her head and looked into his eyes. “Did you really not write that ahead of time?”
“Couldn’t you tell how I stumbled on so many of the notes? And some of the lyrics didn’t rhyme at all.” He cracked up laughing.
“I don’t care. It was beautiful. I can’t believe you wrote me a song.”
“I meant every word. You’re all that is good and beautiful in my life right now, and I would be miserable without you.”
“Stop it.” She took a seat at their table again and grabbed a napkin to wipe her cheeks and blot her eyes. “You’re making me look a mess.”
“You’re always gorgeous.” Maybe he shouldn’t have said that, because her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink again.
She waved off his flattery. “Did you mean what you said up there about me being your best friend?”
“Of course.”
A smile spread across her face. “You’re my best friend too.”
TWELVE
Northern Michigan was past its peak for fall colors, but there were still areas of pretty leaves clinging to the trees when the Schultz family traveled north in early November. Skylar gazed out the window of the Escalade as they zoomed by the remaining reds, oranges, and yellows. She was delighted to be celebrating her thirtieth birthday at the winery with her family, but her excitement over Franky arriving later that night eclipsed everything and everyone.
She knew it probably wasn’t wise to hold onto these feelings she had for him, but calling her his best friend and writing her such a beautiful, spontaneous song at Carmichael’s had only made her fall deeper.
There were moments when Skylar could’ve sworn he felt the attraction too. A look, a touch. But it never went further. And she was afraid it was all in her head, like their almost kiss all those years ago.
“Have you heard from your brother?” Mom interrupted her thoughts. “I left him a message, but he didn’t reply.”
“I haven’t heard from Gus since the day he left your house.” She noticed Mom’s head tilt down sadly. “Maybe he’ll surprise us all and show up this weekend.”
“Maybe.”
The party wouldn’t be the same if Gus didn’t show, and Skylar was disappointed she hadn’t heard from him. He had left Michigan the week after the settlement with Milton was finalized and headed back to California to stay with Adelia. She only knew that because Adelia had told her. He hadn’t even bothered to inform the family where he was.
What a relief that Milton had settled. He was still a jerk for putting Gus and their family through all of that, but at least it was over. She wondered if standing up to him at Captain Sundae that night had done anything to help the settlement along because it wouldn’t have surprised her if Milton had dragged Gus into an actual trial just because he could. Thankfully, it hadn’t come to that. Maybe now he would leave them all alone.
“Isn’t that a lovely sight?” Mom said as Dad turned into the drive.