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“You’re forgiven.” She planted a soft kiss on his cheek then went to mingle some more with her guests.
Franky pulled his phone out of his back pocket and typed a text to Skylar.
Franky: You left? We didn’t get to talk.
No response.
Franky: I know something’s going on with you. Please talk to me.
The dots bounced on his screen, signaling that she was typing, and anticipation stirred within him.
Skylar: I can’t right now.
Franky: Why? I don’t understand what’s happening.
When she didn’t reply, he took a few moments to decide what to say next.
Franky: I know things have changed since summer, but you’re still my best friend, Sky. I don’t want to lose you.
Skylar: We’ll always be friends.
Franky: Can we meet tonight? We really need to talk.
After a long pause and several cycles of the dots bouncing then disappearing, her response finally came through.
Skylar: Meet me at my spot.
THIRTY-ONE
Skylar sat on the rooftop ledge of the Schultz Chocolate building and stared out along the river toward the lights of downtown. Tears filled her eyes as she remembered her conversation with Ivy at the party earlier that night.
“Have you decided where you’ll get married?” Skylar hadn’t really wanted to hear any of the wedding details, but she’d asked to be polite.
“We’re talking about getting married at the winery in the fall. Wouldn’t that be the perfect location? Franky said it’s gorgeous up there when the trees change colors.”
“The winery?” No, she couldn’t mean … surely not …
“Your family’s winery,” Ivy replied, completely oblivious. “It’s only six months away, but I think we can pull it off. I put this together in only six weeks.” She motioned around the room.
Skylar stood there in shock, unable to respond. The memories she and Franky had made at the winery were precious to her. She couldn’t believe he would actually consider getting married there.
“Oh, and we were wondering if you’d take some engagement pictures for us. Franky told me you’re talented at photography, and he was supposed to ask you about it, but he keeps forgetting.”
She had no idea what to say to that. Thankfully, a couple approached to speak to Ivy, and Skylar used that as the perfect time to escape. She hadn’t wanted to attend their party in the first place, and being put on the spot like that was more than a little uncomfortable.
Leaving without talking to Franky had obviously upset him, but she couldn’t stay and risk breaking down crying. She couldn’t believe any of this was happening. On Christmas Eve, when she’d told him he wouldn’t fail at relationships if he figured out what he wanted, she hadn’t meant for him to get engaged to the first girl he met. What she’d actually wanted was for him to figure out how he felt about her.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, Skylar brushed away her tears and glanced over her shoulder to see Franky coming toward her.
He raised his hand in a wave. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”
“I’ve been up here since I left the party.”
Franky climbed up to sit beside her on the ledge and leaned to the side, bumping her shoulder with his. “Hi.”
“Hi.” When he smiled at her in that adorable way of his, all she wanted was to hug him, but she couldn’t. She was hurting too much. “I didn’t expect you to leave your party so soon.”
“I snuck away. It seems Ivy’s family are partiers, and most of my guests had already gone home. She won’t miss me.”