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“And you’re doing it for honorable reasons?”
“At least I mean well. Our friendship is new. The money will overshadow it all. I want her to know me.”
Skylar rested her head on his shoulder. “I know, but she seems sweet. Different than Serena. I’m just afraid this is going to backfire and you’re both going to be hurt.”
“I’ll be okay. I’m a big boy.”
Skylar got quiet. “Do you think Gus is okay?”
“Yes,” he answered without hesitation. “He just needs his space.”
“What if he gets into more trouble while he’s wherever he is?”
“I don’t think he will, but we’ll deal with it if he does.”
“I wish Dad wouldn’t have said those things to him and got him so upset.”
“He needed to hear them. He can’t keep acting like this if he expects to be a part of this company.”
“But what about a part of this family?”
“He’ll always be part of the family. He knows we love him.”
“Does he?”
“Deep down, I know he does. He’s just struggling, I think. He’s trying to figure out who he is within the family and within the company. He’ll get there. And we’ll be here for him when he comes back.”
“What if he doesn’t come back before nasty Milton presses charges? That’s going to happen any day. Then there’ll be a warrant out for his arrest. That won’t be good. Especially if he left the state, right?”
“We don’t know he left the state.”
“We don’t know anything right now.”
He could tell she was getting all worked up, so he grabbed his phone and wrote a text to Gus from the both of them.
Sky and I want you to know that we love you and we’re here for you. Please let us know you’re all right.
He showed it to her, and she nodded in agreement, so he hit “send.”
“I hope he replies,” she said.
“I know. Me too.”
The chimes of the doorbell signaled the arrival of their dinner guests. Skylar practically jumped up from the sofa and walked quickly to the foyer. Sebastian followed at a slower pace and found Mom and Dad welcoming the Middlebury family—Wayne, Glenda, and their son, Francis, who was lifting Skylar off the ground in a hug.
Wayne was a distinguished looking gentleman. With his white hair and beard and dark, salt-and-pepper mustache, he resembled Sean Connery in The Hunt for Red October.
“Hello, Sebastian.” Glenda greeted him with a hug. Her neatly teased silver hair tickled his cheek as she squeezed him tightly. They were a very affectionate family.
“Hi, Mrs. Middlebury,” Sebastian replied.
She shushed him. “I told you, you’re too old to call me that anymore. Glenda is fine.”
“I know you said that, but it’s a hard habit to break.”
Glenda smiled. “I know. Sometimes I can’t believe you boys are all grown up. The time went by too fast.”
“Hey, Bash!” Franky left Skylar’s side and moved toward him with arms open.