“I will be rich once this lawsuit’s over.”
Skylar took a step toward him, and Franky grabbed her wrist to keep her from doing something she would regret.
“Come at me like your brother did, Skylar. Two lawsuits are better than one.”
Franky could feel her shaking with rage. “He’s not worth it,” he whispered in her ear. “Let’s get out of here.”
She looked Franky in the eye. “I’m not letting him ruin this night for us. We’re staying.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded, and he let her go but took hold of her hand, which was still shaking.
Milton said nothing more, which Franky was thankful for, and they walked over to the outdoor seating area, lit by strings of bare light bulbs, and took a seat at one of the picnic tables.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I haven’t seen him much since we broke up, and I still get the same uneasy feeling I got toward the end of our relationship. I never knew if he was going to be the sweet Milton he was when we first met or the Milton who was verbally abusive and tried to get me to do things I didn’t want to do.”
“He didn’t force himself on you, did he?” Franky felt sick at the thought.
“No, but sometimes I felt like he might, especially toward the end, and that’s why I broke it off.”
Franky watched Skylar poke at her sundae with the spoon, taking small scoops once in a while. He glanced across the yard at Milton and his date, who were heading their way. Milton wore the cockiest grin on his face, and Franky saw Skylar tense up when she noticed them take a seat at the nearest table.
The man infuriated Franky, and he knew Milton’s type all too well. Constantly pushing people’s buttons, causing trouble for anyone who crossed him, leaving chaos and misery in his wake. He’d seen this kind of bullying behavior in court cases many times.
“I changed my mind. Can we go?” Skylar asked seconds after Milton and his date sat down.
“Absolutely,” Franky said.
They weren’t five steps away when Milton said, “Aw, come on, don’t be like that. I know you’re still hung up on me, but can’t we be civil in public?”
Skylar spun around and marched toward his table too quickly for Franky to stop her.
“I’m the one who dumped your sorry butt, and no, I will not be civil to someone so despicable. You’re an evil, conniving, narcissistic jerk, and I’m sorry I ever got involved with you.” She turned her attention to Milton’s date. “Let me offer you a little advice about this one … run … as fast as you can.”
Franky’s heart nearly burst with pride at how she’d handled that, especially seeing Milton’s shocked expression and the nervous look on his date’s face as Skylar walked away.
“Let’s go.” She took Franky’s hand in hers and tugged him along behind her.
When they got into the car, they burst out laughing and couldn’t stop.
“You didn’t see his face,” Franky told her. “He couldn’t believe you said those things. And his date … I think you made an impression.”
“Good. I hope I ruined Milton’s plans for the night and saved that girl a lot of heartache.”
Franky gazed at Skylar with complete admiration. “You are awesome.”
She looked away shyly. “Whatever.”
“You are, Sky. I feel like I see a new and different side of you every day, and I love it.”
A blush colored her cheeks as he started the car and drove off.
“So, what should we do now? Go home?” Skylar asked.
“Do you want to go home?”