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Skylar’s eyes widened. “And you’re just telling me about her now?”
He shrugged, looking guilty.
A sudden realization struck her. “Is she the reason you stood me up at the Christmas party?”
He pressed his lips together in a tight line, and he looked even more guilty than before.
“I see.” Now, she was fuming.
“I should’ve told you sooner.” He glanced over at her then back at the road. “I like her, Sky, and I think you will too. Maybe we can go out to dinner soon, the three of us. I’d love to introduce you.”
There was no way on earth Skylar was going to agree to be the third wheel on one of Franky’s dates.
He glanced over at her again. “Are you okay?”
She stopped clenching her jaw long enough to answer. “I’m fine.”
His expression said he doubted that, but he had the good sense not to reply. There was no more talk of Ivy or anything else. It was the first time they’d ever gone an entire car ride without talking, and it was pretty much the worst thing ever.
That night, Skylar lay in bed, sadness overwhelming her, pulling her down into a murky mire, dragging her under the surface. She’d never felt this low about Franky’s past girlfriends, but something was different. Maybe it was because of how close they’d grown. Maybe because her hopes of them becoming more than friends had risen higher than ever before—especially after the kiss.
Her heart ached, and her chest tightened as if the tears were just under the surface, but they would not come. She stared up at the ceiling, wishing the emotions would release. She would feel a whole lot better if she would cry already.
A sad thought suddenly crossed her mind.
So much for Franky’s birthday.
She’d been hoping to drag him away for a fun adventure, just the two of them. But now that he had a girlfriend, she knew she couldn’t.
The longer she lay there thinking, the more her sadness turned to annoyance. He had gotten all worked up and kissed her because he didn’t want Luca to come between them and change their friendship. It felt like he didn’t want her, but he didn’t want anyone else to have her either. Yet, he had gone out and met someone new less than a month after her birthday, and now, he had ditched their plans for her brother’s wedding without talking to her first.
Inconsiderate. Selfish. Thoughtless.
Her mind returned to their Christmas Eve hug. He’d held her close and lingered there with her in his arms. His lips had touched her cheek so softly. Remembering his tenderness made her heart ache because it didn’t mean what she wanted it to mean. He didn’t feel the same. His heart was with someone else.
TWENTY-FOUR
Back when they were in private school together, Franky wouldn’t have imagined Sebastian settling down in Montana, but as he drove the rental car down the long driveway, through expansive pastures, winding around and over hills to the log cabin at the base of a magnificent mountain, it somehow felt right. He couldn’t have been happier for his best friend. Sebastian had found the love of a lifetime, his forever, and had followed Genevieve across the country to allow her to follow her dream of taking care of rescued horses.
Franky glanced over at Ivy, who had fallen asleep on their drive, and wondered if she was his forever. He enjoyed her company, and she was definitely a woman his parents approved of—strong, capable, a brilliant attorney. Outside of work, they had little in common. They were complete opposites in many ways, but the desire to make this relationship work was strong, especially after all his past failures. Sometimes, though, it felt as if something was missing, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
As he pulled up to the house, he spotted Skylar coming out the door with some of her family, and his heart warmed. He’d missed her more than he realized, and he couldn’t get out of the car fast enough.
He made introductions and greeted the family with hugs, anxious to get to Skylar. When he reached her, he lifted her off the ground in a giant bear hug. Normally, she laughed when he did that, but not today.
“Why didn’t you call me back?” he asked her quietly. She hadn’t returned any of his calls lately.
“Things were crazy at work,” she replied.
“Since when does that keep you from calling me?” he asked as he set her down.
“Sorry.”
He held his hand out toward the woman standing behind him. “Skylar Schultz, this is Ivy Prescott. Ivy, this is Skylar.”
Ivy smiled sweetly. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Francis has told me so much about you.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Skylar smiled, but it was her polite, fake smile.