Page 5 of Royal Cocktail

He was the cute guy that Skye had caught looking at her for most of last night. Except cute wasn’t the right word at all. For that matter, cute was an insult for this guy. He was magazine cover spectacular. Broad shoulders, a tight ass. Dark, thick hair with just a hint of wave to it. And his eyes...

Eyes so blue that she could see their color from all the way across the room. They were deep set and sexy, and every time his eyes caught hers, she felt hypnotized, and not in a bad way.

He had the face of a god, too, which made her want to keep looking. High cheekbones and an angular jaw line that inspired her to sketch him, and she didn’t even know how to draw. As for his lips, well, they looked positively kissable.

All in all, looking at him had been like eating a sumptuous meal. And every time she’d taken a bite, he was looking right back at her, devouring her with his eyes.

The whole night had been weirdly sensual, and she wasn’t sure if she was the only one who felt it, or if he did too. Either way, it was one of the sexier experiences in her life. And she couldn’t deny that the possibility of seeing him again intrigued her more than it should.

“Come on, Skye. Why not? Are you saying we can’t go two nights in a row?”

Skye shook off the memory. “I’m saying that Matthew must be out of town if you’re looking to hang with me on a Friday night.” Matthew and Hannah hadn’t been together that long, but Skye had a feeling they’d be married soon. They fit together perfectly. She sighed, wondering if she’d ever find a guy she connected to like that.

His image popped into her mind, and she chastised herself. The guy was cute, and she’d felt a tug, but the odds of her ever seeing him again were slim, so…

“— in Dallas. He’ll be back tomorrow afternoon.”

Skye straightened, realizing she’d lost the thread of the conversation. “I’m sorry. What? Matthew’s in Dallas?”

Hannah nodded. “I could have gone with him, but I had a hearing this morning and the mock trial thing just now.” She sighed dramatically. “I’m so damn proud of how fast his business is expanding, but he’s gone and now you’re making me spend the evening alone, wallowing with Oreos and bad television.”

“Can’t have that. I guess we can … go to The Fix, and you can wallow … with fried food and tempting libations.” And, bonus, maybe she really would see him again. A girl could hope.

She sighed as her mind conjured him … then caught the way Hannah was studying her. “What?”

“Nothing,” Hannah said, her voice rising with mock innocence. “Just thinking what you’re thinking.”

Skye shook her head. “You are so not reading my mind.”

“You mean you’re not thinking that he might be there again, and that he’s ridiculously cute, and this time, maybe you’ll work up the nerve to talk to him?”

Skye shook her head, her heart pounding so hard she knew better than to even try talking.

“Careful,” Hannah said. “You wouldn’t want to ruin your profile.”

Skye cocked her head, confused.

“Your nose is growing,” Hannah said, then pushed back from the table. “I’ll see you there at eight.” Then she wiggled her fingers, turned, and walked away without waiting for Skye to answer.

Chapter Four

The Uber dropped her off at the corner of Sixth and Congress, and Skye glanced around downtown Austin as she waited for the light to change. Her condo was only a few blocks away, and for a moment, she considered going straight home. She enjoyed The Fix—it was one of the few places in town where she didn’t feel completely self-conscious—but she really did need to study. She ought to text an apology to Hannah, tell her she’d stayed at school too late, and just go home.

But she didn’t.

She loved her condo, although technically it was her dad’s. An investment property he’d bought over a decade ago. Originally, she’d worked up the courage to share a house with some other students who’d been matched during first year orientation. But when her dad offered to let her have the condo rent-free, she’d jumped at the chance. Not only did her place have a gorgeous view of the river, but she was living alone, which meant she didn’t have to speak in front of strangers.

At the time, relief had flooded through her. Now, she regretted the decision. With her hesitancy to speak much and the long hours of studying, plus the travel back and forth from campus to downtown, she hadn’t made many friends in law school.

If she’d agreed to share the house, maybe by now she’d have a group of friends to study with. Or at least to share a late-night movie marathon. But she’d chickened out, and for the most part, law school was a solo journey for her.

Still, she did have some friends, and one of them was waiting for her at The Fix on Sixth.

The light changed, and she crossed Congress Avenue, heading east toward the bar and away from her condo. She’d just crossed Brazos when her phone pinged. She glanced down and saw that the text was from Hannah.

Matthew surprised me by coming home early. Getting naked and blowing you off. XXOO

Skye shook her head at the irony, then frowned, pausing outside the wooden doors that led into The Fix. She was happy for Hannah, but the idea of going to a bar alone didn’t appeal to her. Sure, she liked the staff, and after coming to The Fix regularly for more than two years, she felt mostly comfortable talking to them. But they’d be working. And Skye was the last person in the world who wanted to strike up a conversation with a stranger.