Page 77 of More Than a Billionaire

“What news did you want to tell me?” she asked.

The words wouldn’t come. “You know what, since we’ll see each other tonight, I’ll tell you about it then.”

Skylar gasped. “What? You’re going to make me wait all afternoon?”

“Yep.”

“You’re the actual worst,” she replied.

“You love me.”

“What’s not to love.”

Their words hung in the silence between them, feeling heavy and important, and as per usual, he diverted away from the seriousness. “Now you’re just going to give me a big head.”

“I don’t think it can get any bigger than it already is.”

He laughed heartily at her quick comeback. “Touché.”

On the drive to the Schultz’s, Franky and Skylar talked and laughed as they always did, but there didn’t seem to be a right time to mention Ivy. Skylar needed to know, but after all that had happened between them lately, he wasn’t sure how she would react. And he was relieved when she talked about other things and didn’t ask what his news was before they got to her parents’.

Just after they pulled into the driveway, another car arrived. Gus and a petite brunette, who Franky assumed was his new wife, Merritt, got out of the car and walked toward them.

“Hey, newlyweds,” Franky said as they approached.

“Franky.” Gus greeted him with a handshake and a hug. “How are you, man?” He patted Franky on the back then turned to Merritt. “Franky, this is my wife, Merritt.”

“Hello,” Franky replied.

“Franky’s an old friend of Sebastian’s and pretty much family around here.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Merritt said.

“Likewise.” He greeted her with a hug, and she let out a little surprised laugh.

“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 his wife’s waist.

“Dad went on the tour with you?” Skylar asked. “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 laughed as they entered the house, arriving just in time for dinner. Ephraim and Harriet and Franky’s parents were already seated and chatting, and they joined them at the table. Franky and Gus mostly listened as their fathers talked business. Skylar got into a conversation with Merritt about her cosmetics company, which Franky found much more interesting than what their fathers were saying. Then Harriet began talking about going to Montana the week of Sebastian’s wedding.

Gus elbowed Franky and nodded toward his mom. “Are you going to Montana for wedding week?”

“I am. I assume you and Merritt will be there.”

Gus nodded. “Yep. We’ll be there.”

“Oh, Sky.” Franky wasn’t sure what came over him in that moment or why he thought now was the right time, but he cut into her conversation with Merritt and said, “I might not be able to travel out to Montana with you after all.”

She looked taken aback. “Why not?”

“I met someone.”

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