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Skylar admired the roses. “These are lovely, Franky.”
He took hold of her arms, and she looked up at him. “I’m so sorry about the Christmas party. I completely blanked and went out with a colleague from work.” He wasn’t sure why he didn’t tell her it was a date.
She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s fine.” Her words said one thing, but her sad eyes and slightly downturned mouth told another story.
“I was going to make it up to you by taking you out tonight to see Christmas lights, but you clearly have plans.”
“Yes, I do.” Her tone held a hint of bitterness.
“Please don’t be mad at me. I can’t stand this.”
Skylar sighed. “It was humiliating being stood up like that.”
“I’m so sorry.”
She bit down on her lower lip, which gave him a sudden flash of kissing her in the wine cellar, and he immediately shoved the memory deep down inside.
“Why don’t you come to dinner,” Skylar said. “We could go out after.”
His brow furrowed. “Are you sure? It’s a family dinner.”
“And you’re like family. Plus, Sebastian would be happy to see you.”
He only cared about being with Skylar right now. But spending time with the Schultzes was much more appealing than staying home alone or sitting through dinner with his parents, being grilled by Dad about work. “I’d love to. But only if you’re sure it’s not an imposition.”
She shook her head. “It’s not.”
“Okay then.”
The genuine smile she gave him made him feel like, even after such a gigantic friendship fail, everything was going to be all right.
After she’d put the flowers in water, they departed together for Granny’s Place, another restaurant owned by the Schultz family, lovingly named after Granny Schultz, whose truffles were what started Schultz Chocolate in the first place.
“Did you get the invitation to Sebastian’s wedding?” Skylar asked as Franky drove.
“I did. They sure put this all together really quickly.”
“I know. I’m excited. Genevieve is the perfect addition to our family.”
“You didn’t mention Gus. Will he be there tonight?” Franky glanced over at her and noticed a sad expression crossed her face. “What’s that look?”
“He’s not coming home for Christmas.”
“Oh, no. That sucks. Are you okay?”
“Not really. I get that he was disappointed and needed space, but the lawsuit is over now. Milton settled. I don’t understand why he can’t come home and get back to work and prove to Dad that he’s made positive changes in his life. And missing Christmas …”
When she paused, he could see how hurt she was by this. “I’m really sorry. I think everyone deals with their issues in very different ways, and Gus obviously needs more time to figure himself out.”
“You’re probably right. But it won’t feel like Christmas without my brother here.”
Franky reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry.”
She smiled at him. “Thanks.”
When they arrived at the restaurant, the waitress escorted them to the reserved seating area on the all-season porch, where the family was already waiting. Granny’s Place was located in an old historic mansion, which had been converted into a restaurant and event space. Franky had been there many times with the Schultzes, and he was continually impressed by how the place had been kept up over the years—the original heavy wood trim and wood flooring, paneled ceilings and walls, and the old fireplace. And that was only the first floor. The rest of the three-story mansion was used for wedding and event rooms, as was the outdoor patio space. But Franky liked the wraparound porch the best with its tall windows, looking out over the expansive lawn, and the original brick tile flooring.
“Franky.” Sebastian stood and greeted him with a handshake and hug. “I think I’ve seen you more in the past few months than I have in the past few years.”