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They shook hands, and Gus pulled him in for a hug and patted his back. He turned to Merritt. “Franky, this is my wife, Merritt.”
“Hello,” Franky said.
“Franky’s an old friend of Sebastian’s and pretty much family around here.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.
“Likewise.” He greeted her with a tight hug, and she let out a sharp breath and a laugh at the same time.
“What did you two do today?” Skylar asked.
“Toured the factory with Dad and showed her the office,” Gus replied as he slid his arm around Merritt’s waist.
She settled into his side as they followed Skylar and Franky toward the door.
“Dad went on the tour with you? How long did he talk your ear off?”
Merritt laughed. “Not long. But honestly, I could’ve listened to him all day.”
“Well, God bless you. I’m sure you just made his whole year.”
They all laughed as they entered the house, arriving just in time for dinner. Ephraim, Harriet, and a man and woman were already seated, and Merritt was introduced to Franky’s parents, Wayne and Glenda Middlebury.
Merritt ate quietly and observed the dynamic. The Middleburys were obviously close friends of the family. The women chatted happily, while Ephraim and Wayne mostly talked business. Gus and Franky listened to the older men talk and joined the conversation every once in a while. Skylar sometimes looked as if she wanted to add something as well, but she talked with the ladies or asked Merritt about her cosmetics business instead.
“I tried some of the products you brought me, and I love them all so much already.” She pointed to her cheeks. “I’m wearing the blush right now.”
“It looks great on you,” she said.
“It feels so weightless, like I have no makeup on.”
“That was my goal when creating this line. I’m so glad you love it.”
“I do, and I have to admit, I’m a little starstruck right now, having you as my sister-in-law.”
She smiled. “You’re sweet.”
“Oh, Sky,” Franky cut in. “I might not be able to travel out to Montana with you after all.”
“Why not?”
“I met someone,” he declared.
Merritt noticed the juxtaposition of their expressions—her sheer disappointment and his mile-wide smile.
“You met someone?” Skylar’s voice caught a little.
“All right!” Gus high-fived him. “Where’d you meet?”
“I went out for drinks with some work colleagues, and she was there. Turns out, she’s one of the new corporate attorneys at the firm.” His eyes lit up as he spoke. “We started talking and ended up totally closing the place down.”
“Sounds like you really got along.” Merritt was acutely aware of her sister-in-law’s dismay.
Gus put his arm around Merritt. “Yeah, sounds a lot like us. We talked all night when we first met.”
“Yeah, it was definitely one of those kinds of nights. Her name’s Ivy, and she’s awesome.” He smiled over at Skylar, who hadn’t said a word. “I’m inviting her to the wedding.”
Franky turned away when his father asked him a question. If he hadn’t, he would have seen the devastation on Skylar’s face.