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Skylar took in a deep breath and let it out. “Okay, then I’ll keep what I heard in the stable to myself for a while and see how this plays out.”
“And in the meantime, we should make sure they’re in as many situations where they have to pretend to be a couple as we can.”
Skylar laughed. “I like that.”
“And Sky, don’t give up on Franky. He may think Ivy is the one for him, but I’ve seen you two together. Your friendship is special. And there’s something you two have that he and Ivy don’t.”
“What’s that?”
“History.”
TWENTY-SEVEN
The day before the wedding was much more relaxed than the previous one. Not that Franky minded helping decorate the horse barn, but he was looking forward to hanging out with the guys while the girls went snowshoeing with Genevieve after lunch. He was also hoping to talk to Sebastian alone and ask when he knew Genevieve was the one for him. He’d been thinking a lot about his relationship with Ivy and how to know when was the right time to progress to the next step. He’d never been good with that in the past, and he really didn’t want to mess things up this time.
Franky had just settled into a comfy chair to watch a little television with the guys when the front door opened, and Ivy entered the house. His eyebrows drew together in confusion, and he stood and walked toward her as she was hanging her coat in the closet.
“How come you didn’t go snowshoeing with the rest of the girls?” he asked.
“I have weak ankles.”
He didn’t mean to laugh, but it came bursting out.
Ivy frowned. “I’m serious. I sprained my ankle often when I was young, and my doctor said I have weak ankles and should be careful.”
“But you wear high heels all the time. Aren’t boots for snowshoeing more stable for your ankles than those?”
“Probably, but I didn’t want to risk it. Do you really want me injured before the wedding?”
“Of course not. Come here.” He gently took her arm and pulled her into a hug. “It’s just … I wanted you to spend some time with Skylar so you can get to know each other.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
He let go of her and searched her face. “Why not?”
“She has feelings for you, Francis.”
His heart skipped a beat. “What? That’s crazy.”
“Is it?” She raised an eyebrow at him.
Franky glanced into the other room at the guys and grabbed hold of her hand, leading her up to their room for privacy. Once inside, he closed the door securely and faced her again.
“What makes you say that?”
“Women’s intuition.”
“Well, you don’t know Sky or our friendship. It’s not like that with us.” Their kiss flashed through his mind.
“Never?”
He opened his mouth to speak but paused.
Ivy eyed him. “Maybe you should tell me again the history of your friendship.”
“I told you all there is to tell.”
“Are you sure? Because I’m getting the sense that there’s something you’re hiding.”