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“Where are we going?”
He grabbed two of the mugs Genevieve had filled. “To have our cocoa in the hot tub.”
TWENTY-FIVE
I’ve missed you.”
Franky’s words surprised Skylar. “Have you?”
“Of course, I have. Why would you even ask that?”
She shrugged her shoulders and took a sip of her cocoa before setting it on the edge of the hot tub. “I figured you wouldn’t give me a second thought since you and Ivy are in the honeymoon stage of your relationship.”
“Yeah, things are new and fun between us, but that doesn’t mean you and I can’t still hang out. You haven’t returned any of my calls lately.”
“I told you, I’m busy with—”
“Work. I know.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Hey, taking over Sebastian’s job has been a lot more than I expected, and I’ve had to set aside a lot of my extra time to get up to speed. I don’t want to suck at this and let my dad down. So, it’s not because I don’t want to spend time with you. I’m trying to stay focused.”
That was only partially true. Because she had been avoiding him because of this new girlfriend of his. She couldn’t pretend all was normal. Not very well anyway. Maybe she’d have Adelia give her acting lessons because she was pretty sure Franky could see right through her.
“Are you sure it’s not because I backed out of flying out here with you?”
She avoided eye contact as she pushed her damp hair back.
“Once again, I’ve hurt you without meaning to. I wouldn’t blame you if you never talked to me again.”
Skylar’s mouth tilted to the side. “And I thought Gus and Merritt brought the drama tonight.”
Franky chuckled.
“Honestly, I was hurt when you stood me up, and then I found out Gus wasn’t coming home for Christmas. I felt abandoned. Not only by my brother but my best friend. And I thought flying out here together would fix that, and then you ditched me.”
“Sky.” The remorse was clear on his face.
“But I never asked you to be my date, Franky. That was my own miscommunication.”
“I’m very sorry for disappointing you. That’s the last thing I ever wanted to do.”
If only he knew how disappointed she’d been every day since their kiss because it hadn’t turned into more.
She lifted her hand to float on the surface and flicked a little water his way, which he returned as a splash in her face.
“Hey!” She splashed back a few times, and he pinched his eyes closed, spitting water out of his mouth like a fountain.
They laughed, then grabbed their mugs for another drink of tasty hot chocolate.
“When we get home, are you going to return my calls?” he asked.
She shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe.”
“Gee, thanks.” He rolled his eyes.
“I wish we could hang out like we used to,” Skylar said.
“Why can’t we?”