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She shook her head and turned back to the subject at hand. “When you say more time, does that mean you’ve decided to leave the firm soon?”
“Oh, uh, I’m staying,” he replied sheepishly.
Skylar’s mouth fell open a little. “But I thought you were miserable. What about writing music?”
He snorted. “That was a pipe dream.”
“What? No, it wasn’t.”
“It was. Ivy made me see that leaving the firm after working so hard to reach that goal and spending all that time and money on education would be a waste. Pursuing artistic endeavors is rarely successful, and they certainly don’t pay as well.”
Skylar’s jaw dropped as he spoke.
“Having Ivy there makes it much better anyway. And it’s my father’s company, the family legacy. I should carry that on for future generations.”
Anger bubbled up within her. After all of their talks about him hating law and choosing that field because of his father, he was awfully quick to let his dream of something better go. But what could she say to him? How could she convince him when his fiancée had clearly talked him out of it?
He eyed her. “You’re quiet all of a sudden.”
“Ivy’s wrong, and you know it.”
“Now, hold on. I—”
“We talked about you leaving the firm, and now you’re suddenly resigned to staying in a job you said feels like the worst chore in the world? I’m sorry, no.”
“I thought a lot about it, and I realized she was right.”
“She’s not!” Her volume increased the more worked up she got. “You are an amazing songwriter and pianist. You have so much talent, and I know you can use that and find something you’ll be excited to do for the rest of your life. Not spending your life in courtrooms, defending the Milton Hanleys of the world.”
His eyes were wide, and his mouth hung open this time.
“I feel like you’re making this decision for all the wrong reasons, and you’re going to regret it, Franky. If Ivy truly wanted what was best for you, she’d encourage you to go for your dreams, not settle.”
He remained silent.
“Do you want to know the real reason I left the party tonight?”
“I don’t think I could stop you from telling me if I tried.”
“Ivy told me you’re getting married at the winery. My winery!”
He looked down at the street below.
“Whose idea was that?”
“Hers,” he replied. “I knew you wouldn’t be happy about that. But it was just one of the venue options. It’s not set in stone, Sky.”
“She seemed to think it was.”
“We don’t have to get married there.”
The tears threatened again. “The winery has always been one of my favorite places. You know that.” She made herself look him in the eyes. “When I think of it now, I think of you and the time we spent there in that little cabin by the vines.”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. “I know.”
“I can’t stop you from getting married there. It’s your life, and you can do what you want. But if that’s what you choose to do, I won’t be there.”
“Skylar.” Franky grabbed hold of her hand and held it between both of his. “We’ll choose someplace else. I promise.”