Page 6 of More Than a Billionaire

“Dad wasn’t exactly happy when I took so much time off to traipse around Europe with Fiona,” Franky replied, “so I’d say travel is off the table for a while. I have to make it up to him, and I’m pretty sure he’s going to throw all the toughest cases at me.”

Franky had worked at his father’s law firm since he graduated from law school, working his way up, killing himself with insane hours until he finally became a partner. All the men in the Middlebury family, going back several generations, had been lawyers and judges, so it made sense that Franky would follow in their footsteps.

“But you like your job, right?” she asked.

His face screwed up. “It is what it is.”

“I thought it was what you always wanted—to be a partner in your dad’s firm.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Have you ever once heard me say that?”

She considered his question. “I guess I assumed it’s what you wanted since you worked so hard for so long to get there.”

“You know what they say about assuming.”

She tilted her head in amusement. “Ha ha.”

He grinned. “I still can’t believe you’re vice president now.” He raised his hands then bowed to her. “I’m not worthy. I’m not worthy.”

“Stop!” She waved him off, laughing at his homage to Wayne’s World.

“Seriously, I’m really proud of you.”

“Thank you.” Her cheeks warmed, but his kind words brought her little happiness as she considered the truth he had revealed about his job. She regarded him with a serious expression on her face, causing him to tilt his head and quirk his brow.

“What? Do I have something on my face?” He swiped at his mouth.

She slowly shook her head. “I think you should do the thing that makes you happiest in life, Franky, and if that’s not being a lawyer, that’s okay.”

His eyes met hers as one side of his mouth lifted slightly. “Tell that to my father.”

She gave him an understanding smile, and they grew quiet as they looked at each other. His emerald eyes were more vibrant than usual, enhanced by the sunlight and his olive green T-shirt. Her pulse quickened as the seconds passed by with their gazes locked.

“Thanks again for helping today, Sky.” He broke his stare and grabbed his wine glass, holding it up toward her.

“It was my pleasure.” She tapped her glass against his then took a sip. “I’m really sorry it didn’t work out with you and Fiona.” That wasn’t the truth. She didn’t like seeing him hurt, but when she heard the news, she might’ve done a happy dance around her living room.

“I’m not.” He smiled over at her, which caused her stomach to flutter. “We weren’t right for each other anyway.”

“Why’d you stay with her so long then?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “But what I do know is I’m happy to be here right now, hanging out with you.” He reached over and lay his hand atop hers. “You’ve always been a good friend to me, Sky, and I need a little loyalty in my life right now.”

Skylar’s heart sank at the word friend, but she smiled anyway. She wanted so much more than that, but if a friend was what he needed, a friend was what she would be.

“How about you? Any boyfriends I don’t know about?”

Skylar snorted. “Yeah, right.”

“Why do you say that?” He squeezed her hand. “Any guy would be lucky to have a girl like you.” His gaze traveled over her face, landing on her mouth, and Skylar’s heart skipped a beat. His eyes moved to hers, and it seemed as if he was about to say something more, but instead, he took another sip of wine and looked out across the water.

She let out a breath and willed her pulse to slow. His expression reminded her of a summer night years ago when he’d looked at her the same way. She’d been young and naive and read too much into it, and she wasn’t going to do the same thing tonight. Getting her hopes up for nothing was a habit she really needed to break.

All she could do right now was be the best friend to him she could be. And maybe, just maybe, friendship would blossom into more.

TWO

Since returning to the firm, Franky had been buried in work. As expected, Dad had assigned him some real doozies. The long hours at his desk seemed to drag on, and though it had only been a few days, another vacation sounded really good already.

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