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“Are you complaining?”
“I guess I can tolerate your ugly mug.”
They laughed, and Franky shook hands with Ephraim and gave Harriet and Genevieve each a kiss on the cheek and wished them a Merry Christmas.
The meal was delicious, and the company splendid. Being without Skylar the past month had been miserable, and it felt really good to be in her presence tonight. Their conversation was easy and light, almost as if nothing had happened, but it felt too good to be true. And the scowl Sebastian was throwing his way was enough to remind him why he needed to be very careful how he proceeded.
"This was a great idea!” Skylar beamed, staring out the car window as Franky drove through the Christmas light display at Fifth Third Ballpark. The twinkly, colorful bulbs reflected in her eyes, and all felt right in Franky’s world.
She glanced over at him. “Hey, are you going to Bash and Gen’s the week of the wedding?”
Franky nodded. “I’m planning on it.”
“Maybe we could fly out together. I’d much rather travel with a friend than by myself.”
“Sounds like a plan,” he replied.
A smile spread across her face. “Good.”
They rounded the back side of the drive through the ballpark and came to a giant tunnel of lights that served as the exit. Franky watched Skylar more than the display. Her expression of wonder was better than any light display could ever be.
When they returned to Skylar’s place, Franky walked her to the door. He hated that there was still a hint of awkwardness, making him second-guess himself. He could tell she was trying hard to keep things normal, but it was still there, hovering between them.
“It’s all right to be mad at me, Sky. I deserve it.”
Her lips twisted to the side, and she avoided eye contact.
“I’ve made some stupid mistakes with you lately, and I’m sorry. Failing at relationships seems to be my specialty.”
She glanced at him then looked away again. “You wouldn’t fail if you knew what you really wanted in the relationship.”
He nodded. She wasn’t wrong. He’d kept each of his girlfriends at arm’s length, never sure if she was the right girl for him. And he’d been giving Skylar all kinds of mixed signals, which wasn’t fair.
“What I know for sure is I don’t want to lose you,” he told her.
Their eyes met, and he stepped forward and wrapped her up in a hug, which she returned. There was nothing he loved more than her hugs. She squeezed with just the right amount of pressure, and he could feel her fingertips pressing into his back, like she was holding him to her. He couldn’t help but hold her tightly to himself in response.
“Please forgive me,” he whispered into her ear and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. He tried to ignore the way she shuddered when his lips touched her skin, but it affected him.
She leaned back and looked up at him with a breathtaking smile. “I forgive you.”
His eyes traveled over her face, taking in the beauty in his arms, and landed on her lips, so smooth and soft and inviting.
Her smile fell, and she stared at his mouth, sending his heart racing.
Sebastian’s words echoed in his mind. She’s looking for forever.
He groaned inwardly and loosened his hold on her.
She gave him a sad smile as she let go and opened the door. “Merry Christmas, Franky.”
“Merry Christmas, Sky,” he replied.
Once the door clicked shut behind her, Franky let out a breath. That was close. He knew what it felt like to kiss her, and he’d almost given in again. But Skylar couldn’t be the girl for him, no matter how much he loved her. The fear of her walking away from him if it didn’t work out was terrifying enough to keep him from going there. He and Skylar could never happen.
TWENTY-ONE
Skylar could hardly believe her eyes. She blinked and brought her phone closer as she zoomed in on the photograph of Gus and a petite brunette, standing on the steps of the Los Angeles courthouse, him in a suit and her in a short lacy dress. The headline above the photo read “Schultz Playboy Weds in Secret Ceremony.”