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“Really?”
He squeezed her hand and lifted it to his lips, planting a kiss on the back of it. Skylar’s eyes slipped closed at the feel of his soft lips against her skin.
“Really,” he replied.
“Because it feels like she’s calling all the shots. In your career and now this.”
His eyes narrowed as he released her hand. “Hey, I made the decision to stay at the firm. She didn’t make me do anything I didn’t want to do.”
Skylar fought the violent urge to roll her eyes. “If you say so.”
They sat in awkward silence.
“I don’t want to fight with you,” Franky finally said.
“Me neither. I just want you to be happy. Truly happy.”
Their eyes met.
“I want the same for you, Sky.” Whenever he smiled at her, everything felt right in the world. And although things were so far from right at the moment, she managed to smile back at him.
“My birthday wish was about you, by the way,” she said.
“It was?” His eyes dropped to her lips for a millisecond.
“I wished that you would find the thing you’re meant to do in life, that thing you’ll wake up every morning excited for. And I know that’s not being a lawyer.”
Franky grew quiet. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just know that I believe in you, and I know there’s something more for you. You just haven’t found it yet.”
His arms wrapped around her again, and he held her for a long time. And with each minute that passed, her heart broke a little more.
“You know I love you, right?” he said.
She nodded against his chest, tears filling her eyes. “I love you too.”
They let go and sat staring out at the river for several minutes before Franky elbowed her gently, his usual way of trying to lighten the mood.
“I have a favor to ask … I don’t know if I should ask you this after the conversation we just had.”
Her curiosity was piqued. “What kind of favor?”
He cringed as he said, “I was wondering if you’d take some engagement pictures for us.”
She tensed at the thought of photographing them, all snuggled up, celebrating their love. “Ivy already mentioned it to me.”
“Oh, she did?”
Skylar nodded.
“Well, if it’s too much to ask, you can tell me, and I’ll understand. It’s just, you’re the most talented person I know, and you have such a great eye. I know you’d capture us perfectly.”
She loved how much he loved her photographs, but having to stare at their lovestruck faces while she took the photos and then again while she edited them was too much. “I can’t.”
“What if I say pretty please with praline pecans on top?” He used his saddest puppy dog eyes.
She groaned. “You’re the worst.” And totally clueless.