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“I’m happy for you, Gus. I really am.”
“Thank you.”
She let out a sigh. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed that you didn’t let us be there for your wedding, though.”
“We wanted quick and simple. Neither of us wanted a big wedding. We just couldn’t wait to make it official.”
“I can’t wait to meet her at Bash’s wedding.”
“We’ll be coming to Michigan before that so I can introduce her to Mom and Dad.”
This filled Skylar with excitement at welcoming his new wife to the family. “Let me know when. I want to be there to meet my new sister-in-law.” The thought of having a sister thrilled her.
“I will. Thanks, Sky.”
“See you soon.”
After they hung up, Skylar stared at the phone, still in shock. Gus was married. A year ago, he was off wining and dining every woman in town, it seemed. And now, he was a husband. She wondered if Sebastian had heard the news yet. What about Mom and Dad? Gus should really be the one to tell them.
She pulled out her phone to call Franky but paused. A few months ago, she wouldn’t have hesitated to tell him this crazy news, but everything felt different now. Nevertheless, she needed to tell someone. Now. So she went with a text instead.
Skylar: I have news!
Franky: Oh? Do tell.
Skylar: My brother is married!
Franky: Wait, I thought the wedding was in February.
Skylar: Not Bash … GUS!
Franky replied with an astonished face emoji.
Skylar: He eloped with a girl he met a few months ago.
Franky: I don’t even know what to say to that.
Skylar: Me neither.
Franky: Wow! Never a dull moment in the Schultz family.
Skylar: You can say that again.
Franky: Never a dull moment in the Schultz family.
Skylar: Funny.
Franky: Do you need to talk?
Skylar: Maybe later. I’m in shock.
Franky: OK. I’m here. Always.
Skylar: Thanks.
She added a heart emoji but deleted it before she hit send. She hated that she felt the need to edit herself with him now.
Her mind returned to their Christmas Eve together, and while things had felt more normal between them, something had definitely shifted. Her heart ached, knowing they could never go back to the way things used to be.