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“Some.” Franky didn’t feel like elaborating, so he changed the subject. “How’s it going with Gus’s case?”
Skylar’s brother, Gus, had recently been sued by a sorry excuse of a man, Milton Hanley, who had caused nothing but trouble for Skylar since she’d briefly dated him after college. According to Gus, he’d been at a bar when Milton entered and spouted some inappropriate comments about Skylar, which led to Gus shoving Milton and threatening him. Now, he was stuck with the guy suing him for assault and battery.
“I think we have a good chance of getting him to settle,” Dad replied.
“He’s a creep.”
“Yes. It’s too bad Skylar got herself mixed up with someone like that.”
“If I were Gus, I would’ve done the same thing.”
“I hope I’ve taught you better.”
Franky’s eyes narrowed. “I’m pretty sure the Schultzes raised their children just as well as you raised me. Gus is his own man. He made the decision to defend his sister. If I had a sister, I’d do the same. Heck, I would do the same for Skylar any day. She’s like a sister to me.”
“Let’s hope Milton Hanley settles. And keep me updated on the Walters case.”
“I’ve got this, Dad.”
“See that you do.”
Franky stood and straightened his suit jacket and walked out as fast as he could without actually running.
The roof of Schultz Chocolate was hopping when Franky arrived. A live band played, while people mingled, drinks in hand, enjoying the warm summer night as they waited for the fireworks show to begin.
Franky scanned the crowd for Skylar, but when he didn’t see her, he made his way to a table filled with all manner of appetizers and helped himself.
He strolled along the edge of the rooftop, lined by plants and bushes, as he nibbled on fruit and prosciutto goat cheese crostini. The sun was setting, leaving the sky ahead shades of pink and purple fading into deep blue. He looked up, his gaze following the line of a jet trail across the sky, and when his eyes traveled down from above, a beam of warm golden hour sunlight illuminated Skylar, seated on the wide ledge at the far end of the roof.
“Hey, beautiful.” He set his plate on the ledge and climbed up beside her.
“You found me.” She smiled over at him.
“What are you doing over here all alone when the party’s back there?” He tilted his head in the direction of the band.
“This is my spot,” she replied. “I come up here sometimes when I need to get away from the stress of the job. Watching the river calms me and helps me clear my head.”
“Everything okay at work?”
“Yeah. Nothing major. Just need a hideaway sometimes.”
“I wish I had a rooftop hideaway.” He lifted his plate and offered Skylar some appetizers. “If I did, I’d probably never leave.”
She snatched a crostini and grinned.
“Where’s the rest of your family tonight?” he asked.
“My parents are here somewhere. They like to come and mingle with the employees.”
“Any word from Gus?”
“Only the call from Adelia letting me know he’s with her in California. I wish he hadn’t taken off when he found out Milton was suing him. I know he probably feels like Dad asking him to lay low and step away from the company during the lawsuit was a huge slap in the face. He’s been trying so hard to change his ways over the past year, and he was doing so well until all this.” Skylar lowered her head. “I feel like it’s all my fault.”
Out of the three Schultz children, Gus had always been the one to give the tabloids the most material for their publications. He’d been reckless in his twenties, and shaking that reputation wasn’t easy.
“Hey.” He reached over and touched her chin, turning her face toward his. “It’s not your fault Milton is such a jerk, and you aren’t responsible for your brother’s choices.”
“You’re right. I just have this feeling Gus is in a really low place right now, and with him being across the country, I can’t do anything to make it better. I feel so helpless.”