Page 76

TWENTY-TWO
In the month since Franky had met Ivy, they’d had dinner a couple of times and a few coffee dates. This snowy January morning was the first time they’d met up before work for breakfast, and he couldn’t think of a better way to start his day than to stare into those beautiful blue eyes of hers.
“You said you wanted to talk to me about something.” Franky took a sip of his coffee.
“I’m not one to beat around the bush, so I’ll get right to it.” She reached across the table and rested her hand atop his. “We’ve known each other for a month now. We’ve been out together numerous times, and I like spending time with you.”
“And I like spending time with you.”
“I want to date you, Francis. Officially.”
He nearly spit his coffee out. He’d never had a woman initiate a relationship with him like this before.
“You do?”
“Yes. Things are different than they were with my ex. I know what I want. I know you are someone who respects a woman with a career. And I like you. Very much.”
He turned his hand until they were palm to palm and looked into her eyes. “I like you very much too.”
“So, it’s official. You’re my boyfriend.”
A chuckle escaped him. It was the most unexpected beginning of any relationship he’d had. He had always been the one to pursue, and he liked that she’d turned that on its head. Taking control of what she wanted in her life was an attractive quality, and he wasn’t at all upset that he was what she wanted.
“There’s something else.” She scooted her chair close beside his.
He reached up and tucked a hair behind her ear. “What’s that?”
Ivy abruptly leaned in and planted a kiss on his mouth.
He buried his fingers in her hair and kissed her for the first time, smiling to himself. He hadn’t expected to meet Ivy the night he walked into that bar. She’d been a necessary distraction at first, but she had quickly become more.
He wondered if Skylar would be happy for him and his new relationship. Things were still strained there, and their communication was lacking over the past few weeks.
He pulled away from their kiss and mentally smacked himself. Why was he thinking of Skylar at a time like this? Why couldn’t he get her out of his head?
A couple days later, Franky’s phone rang with a call from Skylar. His nerves kicked up a notch when he saw her name on the screen. He’d been hesitant to tell her anything about Ivy, but now that they were official, he knew it was time.
“Hi! I have news,” he announced when he answered.
“Hey, I’m the one who called you. You can’t hijack the conversation.”
He chuckled. “Sorry. What’s up?”
“Gus and his wife are in town.”
“That was the strangest sentence you’ve ever said.”
She giggled in that adorable way of hers. “I know. But Merritt is wonderful. I met her last night, and I love her. Gus found himself a good one.”
“That’s great. Still weird that he’s married, though.”
“That’s for sure. Your parents were invited over for dinner tonight, and I thought maybe you’d want to come and meet her.” She paused. “And I miss you. I haven’t seen you since Christmas Eve.”
“Of course, I’ll come. Do you want me to pick you up on the way?”
“That would be perfect.”
“All right.” He briefly considered inviting Ivy along too. He wanted them all to get to know the wonderful new woman in his life. But something told him to wait for another time.