Kings of Eden Falls Series Bundle

Welcome toEden Falls, where power, prestige, and heartbreak collide. This series follows a tight-knit group of powerful, driven men—each at the top of their game—until the women they never saw coming flip their worlds upside down. With deep emotional stakes, sizzling chemistry, and just the right amount of slow-burn tension,The Kings of Eden Falls is all about love that disarms, challenges, and ultimately brings these kings to their knees.

“Any fun plans for tonight?” my friend Ian asked when he walked up to my desk at the newspaper on Friday afternoon.

Eden Falls Weekly was one of the Hastings family’s many business ventures, so even though Ian and his family weren’t too involved in the day-to-day happenings at the small town’s newspaper, he did pop in from time to time to see how things were going.

“I don’t have anything too exciting planned,” I said, closing out of the graphic design software I’d been using and looking up at his tall, athletic frame. “Probably just hang out at home and read a book or watch a movie.”

You know, basically the same things I did every night.

“Well, that’s lame…” he said, a teasing look in his brown eyes. “Since when did you become such a homebody?”

Since my fiancé disappeared a year ago and I forgot how to socialize.

“I’ve always liked reading and watching movies,” I said instead, shrugging like I didn’t mind spending most of my evenings alone.

“Well, you should switch up your usual evening routine and come hang out with us at the club tonight.” He leaned his shoulder against the wall, creating the perfect image of a laidback businessman in his designer suit and tie. “Just because my little brother whisked your best friend away to Iceland for their honeymoon, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be having fun.”

“And clubbing is the best way to have fun?” I arched an eyebrow, knowing my friend who had earned the title of “local billionaire playboy” might have slightly different tastes than I did when it came to having fun.

“Well, I guess the real fun comes after I leave the club…” He winked, not needing to go into the details of what followed for him and his fling of the week after a night at The Garden.

Yes, Ian’s reputation was definitely well-known in our small town of Eden Falls. And if Rachel—the girl in charge of the Entertainment News and Gossip section of our newspaper—didn’t have to worry about upsetting the owners of the newspaper by reporting on Ian’s comings and goings, she could have brand-new content just from Ian and his escapades each week.

Ian and I were complete opposites in that way. 

He was the perpetual player. 

And I was the almost twenty-two-year-old spinster who was still holding out hope that her fiancé would return.

I glanced down at where my left hand rested on my desk. Running my thumb across the band of the diamond engagement ring I still wore on my ring finger, I wondered, not for the first time, just how much time would need to pass before I stopped wearing it.

It had been almost a year since Evan left for the trip to Miami that he would never return from.

Would two years be enough time for me to accept that the man I loved was never coming back?

Or would it be closer to three years?

Five?

I didn’t know. 

But just as it had been a habit to slip the beautiful engagement ring onto my hand each day during those six months we’d been planning our wedding, the habit still stuck today.

If I was honest, I almost feared the day that I didn’t put it on. 

Because not wearing the ring would be as good as accepting that hiring a private investigator as well as all the other search efforts we’d made the past year was for nothing.

It would mean accepting that Evan was truly never going to come back to Eden Falls—that he actually had disappeared into thin air.

Or worse, that he was dead. 

I pushed those thoughts away, feeling the familiar swell of dread that came with wondering what had happened that September night when he was supposed to fly back from Miami.

I was at work right now. I needed to at least wait until I was home for the day to let my thoughts spiral.

“Anyway, after we loosen you up with a few margaritas,” Ian said, bringing me back to the present, “I can teach you my latest dance moves and remind you what it’s like to have fun again.”

What had we been talking about?

Oh yeah, he was trying to convince me to go to the club with him and our friends tonight.

“Won’t you be showing those moves to Leila, though?” I asked, reminding him that his latest fling probably wouldn’t enjoy watching him dance with another woman.

Even if we were definitely only friends—he was actually more like an annoying older brother most days—Leila seemed the territorial type.

“I don’t think Leila will care.” Ian shrugged. “We kind of broke up last night.”

“Already?” I raised an eyebrow, feigning shock.

But he just rolled his eyes at my attempt at astonishment and said, “Thanks for at least acting like you’re surprised.”

I lifted a shoulder, indifferent. “I gave it my best attempt.” 

Ian didn’t do serious relationships, which meant he made sure every one of his flings expired within two weeks of the first hook-up. But he’d only met Leila a week ago at his brother’s wedding, so I’d expected them to last at least for a few more days.

You’d think women would steer clear of Ian—a.k.a. The King of Serial Dating—when they heard about his dating record. But since he was the stepson of the local billionaire and most likely to be the CEO of Hastings Industries when his stepdad retired one day, his conquests were usually pretty happy to turn a blind eye to his reputation.

I mean, trips to Europe and weekends on his family’s superyacht were a pretty appealing consolation prize—even if they never had a chance at actually getting his heart.

I’d never admit it to Ian, but I kind of envied his ability to stay so unattached to anyone. He was a master at a clean break. Never seemed to get his heart wrung out or go through the post-breakup blues.

Unlike Ian, who had been infatuated with close to a hundred different women in the four years that I’d known him, I was still hung up on the guy I’d fallen for during my senior year of high school.

The guy who had been my brother’s best friend, then my guardian and protector before eventually becoming just mine.

Yes, if I had even a tenth of Ian’s ability to move on, surely, I still wouldn’t be wearing this engagement ring or sleeping in the red hoodie that I’d received from the man who disappeared from my life without a trace.

“So, I’ll pick you up at nine thirty?” Ian said, clearly not catching onto any of the cues I’d given about not actually wanting to go clubbing tonight. “We already have the VIP section at The Garden reserved, so it should be a night to remember.”

“I really don’t know if I’m up for something like that,” I finally said before he could get too ahead of himself and his plans.

Even if hanging out at a club on a Friday night had been something I’d enjoyed once upon a time, The Garden just held too many memories.

But Ian stepped closer, saying, “You used to love weekends at The Garden.” He leaned forward and braced his hands on my desk. He looked into my eyes and sighed before adding, “And I know it’s different now, but…you can’t hide out in your house forever.”

“I know…” I said, a sudden swell of emotion making my voice wobble. “It’s just—” I pressed my lips together and glanced around, wondering if any of my co-workers were watching us. “What if going there is too much? What if we get there and it’s too overwhelming, and I just sit in the corner all night?”

“Then I’ll sit in the corner with you.”

“But won’t that make it hard to find your next girlfriend?”

“Naw.” He stood up straight again and waved my words away. “I’ll just find her tomorrow night instead.”

Of course he would.

“But if going to The Garden is still too much,” he said, his eyes becoming sympathetic again, “then we can throw out that idea and, I don’t know, just have dinner at Jacob’s Steakhouse instead.”

“Dinner would be nice,” I admitted. “And I have been craving their prime rib lately.” I considered it for a moment. Then I added, “Plus, it would be kind of fun to see what the gossip mill stirs up when they see you out with the local spinster.”

His lips quirked up into a smile. “You are far from a spinster, Addison,” he said with a chuckle in his voice. “In fact, I’m pretty sure if the paparazzi were out tonight, they’d be pushing a story with the headline that says something like: Local playboy finally lands a dinner with the beautiful Addison Michaels—a talented graphic designer who is way too out of his league.”

It was my turn to laugh now. 

“I’ll make sure to give Rachel the scoop before we leave,” I said. “Then she can publish it to our Instagram page before anyone else gets the story.”

“So, does that mean you’ll come?” he asked. “To dinner and then fun at the club?”

“I’ll agree to dinner,” I said.

“Then you’ll see how you feel after that?”

And the look he got in his brown eyes in that moment reminded me of why he never got turned down by women.

It was the exact type of look that would have me melting into a puddle right there in my chair, if only I hadn’t already been charmed by a set of blue eyes back when I was seventeen.

Yes, if Evan Rodgers hadn’t already stolen my heart and made me immune to every other man, I might have been susceptible to his best friend’s charms.

But since I actually had recently made it a goal to take steps toward coming out of the shell I’d burrowed into almost a year ago, I decided to throw Ian a bone. “We’ll plan on dinner and…depending on how well you behave, I may join you at the club.”

“Perfect,” he said, his lips quirking up into a half-smile. “I’ll swing by your place around seven and make sure to be on my best behavior.”

“Is it just me, or are the guys in this club way better looking than everywhere else?” I asked my aunt Sloan as we settled into a corner table on the main level of The Garden, drinks in hand.

It was Friday night, and since I would be moving to the small town of Eden Falls, Connecticut where Sloan lived, in order to start my new job on Monday, she had decided to take me to one of her favorite clubs in the area to celebrate.

“It’s definitely not just you,” she said, a hint of a smile on her lips as she took a sip from her cocktail. “Why do you think I moved back here?”

“I thought it was because you loved teaching drama to rich prep-school kids?” I smirked before taking a sip of my gin and tonic.

“That’s how I keep the lights on,” she said, chuckling. “But living in a place where the men are as gorgeous as they are wealthy? It definitely makes weekends more interesting.”

I glanced over at a group of polished businessmen chatting near the bar, their tailored suits and easy smiles making them look like they’d stepped straight out of a magazine. 

“So how many of those guys have you dated?” I asked, nodding toward the men closest to us.

“In that group?” Sloan’s gaze slid over the six men. After a moment of consideration, she said, “Three.”

“Nothing serious, though?” I asked, curious how my gorgeous aunt, who was only eight years my senior and more like a cousin to me, could still be single.

Seriously, what were all these hot men in Eden Falls thinking, leaving a catch like her alone?

“Not really. Not since I broke up with Marcus, anyway.” She shrugged. “I mean, I dated the guy in the gray suit for a few weeks back in March. But when the timeline for when either of us wanted to have kids came up, we realized we probably weren’t actually that great of a fit.” She watched the guy with dark brown hair and glasses for a minute, the faraway look in her eyes telling me she was disappointed things hadn’t worked out. “He’s on more of a five-year plan when it comes to marriage and kids. But I’m already thirty-four, so I can’t really afford to wait that long if I want to have a chance at having biological kids of my own.”

“Dang, that sucks,” I said, knowing just how important being a mom was to Sloan. “He’s cute.”

“He is. But it’s fine.” She waved the thought away, like it was nothing. “Not all of us can be the cool, young mom that you are.”

“Yeah, right…” I chuckled. “Pretty sure having a baby during my senior year of high school isn’t exactly something I’d recommend to most women.”

Nope, getting pregnant in the backseat of a guy’s car had definitely not been on my vision board back in the day.

But when I’d taken a pregnancy test during the spring of my junior year and discovered the upset stomach I’d been dealing with for two weeks was actually morning sickness and not a weird case of the flu, all the dreams I had of attending a college a few hours from my home in Ridgewater, New York couldn’t be easily realized with a newborn.

Yay for being a dumb, rebellious teen.

Oh well, at least I’d gotten the best son in the world out of it. He was definitely worth all the anxiety his unplanned pregnancy had caused.

“So tell me about your new job.” Sloan shifted in her seat to face me instead of the eye candy standing nearby. “Is it the same position you interviewed for a couple of months ago?”

“No.” I shook my head. “That was a front-desk position. This time I interviewed to be an assistant to one of the senior executives.”

“Oooh, an executive assistant. You’re moving up in the world, I see.”

I nodded. “And the benefits are way better, too,” I said, relieved that Grant and I would have good health insurance once the benefits package kicked in.

Raising a rambunctious eight-year-old kid who loved playing sports had me taking him to Instant Care way more times than I’d like to admit. Thankfully, he’d only actually managed two broken bones so far.

“Cheers to good health insurance.” Sloan chuckled, raising her glass and clinking it against mine. “Geez, since when did we get old enough to get excited about boring things like that?”

“Way too many years ago for me,” I said, thinking about how this was the first time in years that I wouldn’t need to apply for Medicaid, food stamps, or subsidized housing since this new job would actually pay enough for me to fully support my little family.

“Well, I’m proud of you. And I’m glad you’re moving here,” Sloan said, her voice softening with genuine warmth. “It’ll be nice having you and Grant close by.”

“I’m excited too,” I said, glad that I’d put my ego aside and applied for another position at Hastings Industries, even though they’d given the last position I’d interviewed for to someone else. “Now I just need to find a place to live.”

“We’ll figure that out,” Sloan said, covering my hand with hers and giving it a pat. “And until then, you and Grant are more than welcome to stay with me. I didn’t just redecorate my guest bedroom for nothing.”

“Thank you,” I said. “You really are the best.”

My younger sister lived in New Haven with her husband, which was only about five minutes from the high-rise office building I’d be working in. But since they were expecting their first baby in November and had already set up quite a few baby things in their spare bedroom, I’d felt weird asking if my eight-year-old son and I could crash with them for an unknown length of time.

Sloan, on the other hand, had a nice little house in Eden Falls with a pretty good-sized backyard for Grant to run around in and get all his energy out. So even with the twenty-minute commute to work each day, it would be perfect.

I just hoped it wouldn’t take too long to find an apartment of my own so that Grant and I could get the fresh start we needed.

“So do you know anything about this high-powered executive that you’ll be assisting?” Sloan asked. “Is it one of the Hastings boys? Or one of the other executives?”

“It’s one of the Hastings,” I said, stirring my drink with my black straw. “I originally thought the CEO was looking for an assistant since I didn’t realize there were multiple ‘Mr. Hastings,’ but the woman who interviewed me told me it was actually one of the CEO’s sons.”

“That sounds about right.” Sloan smiled. “I mean, Joel is cool, but I would’ve been shocked if he was looking for a new assistant since I’m good friends with his current assistant and he’s always gushing about how much he loves working at Hastings Industries.” She took a quick sip of her margarita. After setting it back on the square napkin with the club’s logo—a tree that resembled the tree of life from the Garden of Eden—she asked, “Do you know which son you’ll be assisting? Is it Ian or Carter?”

“I think it’s Ian,” I said. “Maybe?”

The HR lady who had interviewed me had referred to him as “Mr. Hastings” so much during our interview that I had only caught his first name maybe once. But the name Ian sounded more familiar than Carter, at least.

“You’re assisting Ian?” Sloan gasped, her eyes going wide.

“Yes…” I narrowed my eyes, wondering why she said his name like that. “Do you know him, then?”

“Oh, I know Ian all right.” Sloan chuckled. “It’s pretty hard not to know who Ian Hastings is when you live in Eden Falls.”

“Because his dad is a billionaire?”

“Well, yeah, because of that too,” she said, a sly smile lifting her lips. When she noticed my puzzled brow, she added, “Let’s just say Ian Heartbreaker Hastings is quite popular around here…especially among the ladies.”

“So he’s a player?” I groaned, a sense of apprehension filling my chest. I did not need to work closely with another rich, playboy-type guy. 

“Oh, he’s definitely been a player in the past,” Sloan said. Then seeming to sense my sudden unease, she added, “But he’s a good guy. And an awesome businessman. I’ve never heard of his bad attention span with women ever interfering with his work. So I’m sure it will be just fine working with him.”

“Yeah?” I asked, slightly wary since getting mixed up in someone’s relationship drama was not something I needed. Not when I was still recovering from the carnage my own previous relationship had put me through.

But hopefully, Ian would be pleasant to work for.

Though really, I was desperate enough to get a fresh start far from all the drama with my ex in Ridgewater that even if Ian turned out to be a tyrant, I’d probably still want the job.

I mean…I could always find another job if I needed to once Grant and I were settled, right?

* * *

“Someone’s popular,” Sloan remarked, glancing at my phone when it buzzed for the third time in a row. “Who’s blowing up your phone? Some secret lover you haven’t told me about?”

“You wish.” I chuckled. “But sadly, no. It’s just Lexi teasing me about something.”

“Lexi’s teasing you?” Sloan’s blonde eyebrows knitted together. “About what?”

I shrugged and, in the most bored voice I could muster, said, “She’s just trying to get me to do something dumb…”

“What kind of dumb thing are we talking about here?” Sloan leaned closer, curiosity evident in her green eyes.

“The kind of dumb that involves me ‘kissing a hottie’ tonight,” I said, using air quotes to emphasize the absurdity of the text I’d just received.

“What?” Sloan’s eyes sparkled with amusement and intrigue.

I slid my phone across the table so she could read the text from Lexi.

Lexi: Have you kissed a hottie tonight? Time’s ticking.

“Why is she asking you this? Did you tell her you were planning to make out with hot guys while we were here or something?”

“No!” I squealed, my voice louder than intended. Glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, I lowered my voice to a whisper. “It’s just… I guess I’ve been complaining to her a little too much about how I never really got to date around in college and missed out on all the fun parts of being in my twenties.”

“Since you were with the same guy for eight years.”

“Yeah…” I took my phone back and turned it over, placing it face down on the table.

“And since you’re only twenty-six and haven’t actually tried dating again, even though you’ve been single for a year, Lexi is trying to knock some sense back into you,” Sloan said, clearly thinking my little pity parties were ridiculous too.

Which, yeah, I got. Jaxon and I had called it quits a year ago, but instead of going out and having fun with guys on the nights Grant was with his dad, I’d opted to stay home. It was easier not to get my heart broken again if I didn’t offer it to anyone in the first place.

“Anyway…” I sighed. “I guess Lexi is tired of me just complaining and not actually doing anything about it. So when I was leaving to come out with you, she told me that I wasn’t allowed to see Grant again unless I kissed a hottie tonight.”

“She’s holding your son hostage?” Sloan laughed, clearly more amused by my sister’s antics than I was. “And the ransom is you kissing a stranger at the club tonight?”

“That’s what she said.” I smiled despite myself. “But, I mean, it’s not like she’ll know if I do it or not.”

“Oh, she’ll know,” Sloan said, a sneaky grin lifting her lips. “Because I’m going to be your witness.”

“So you’ll vouch that I kissed some dude so Grant can see his mom again?”

“Not exactly.”

“Huh?” I asked, confused. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that I’m here to hold you to it. And if you don’t follow through, I’ll call Lexi and tell her that she can’t let you inside her house again until I’ve seen you in the arms of a sexy man tonight.”

“You’d keep an innocent little boy from his mother?” I gasped, not believing what I was hearing. Had my sister and aunt somehow teamed up on this?

“I’ve been trying to get you to bring back your boy-crazy side for months. So yeah, if I have to help Lexi and Noah raise your sweet little boy while you go out and sow your wild oats, I’ll do it. It’s for your own good.”

“You’re ridiculous.” I rolled my eyes. “You guys can’t kidnap Grant. I know where both of you live.”

“You’d be surprised at the connections I have,” Sloan said. “One of my former students disappeared from his fiancée for a whole year without anyone having any idea where he went. I’m sure he’d hook me up.”

“Sounds like a great person to be connected to,” I said wryly.

“He’s a really great guy, actually. In fact, he owns this club.”

“So does that mean he came back?” I asked, suddenly curious. “And did his fiancée forgive him?”

“They’re getting married next weekend, so I’d say things turned out okay.”

“Well, good guy or not, it sounds like this mysterious club owner is too busy with wedding plans to help you kidnap my son.”

“Maybe.” Sloan shrugged. “But regardless, you deserve to have some fun tonight. Plus, I saw the way all the guys were checking you out when we walked in. I bet there are more than a few who’d jump at the chance to help you fulfill your goal for the night.”

“You mean Lexi’s goal?” I corrected her with a raised eyebrow. I was definitely not the one who had come up with this crazy idea to walk up to a complete stranger and kiss him.

Sure, it was probably something I would have done in another life, before I suddenly had to grow up when I became a teenage mom. I’d definitely been a huge flirt back then, sneaking into college parties with my friends before we’d even gotten our driver’s licenses.

But now? I doubted I even remembered how to flirt with a man.

“What about that guy over there?” Sloan asked, pointing to a blond guy in a navy-blue polo shirt who had just walked up to the bar. “He’s cute.”

I studied the guy’s profile, imagining myself walking up to him and striking up a conversation. But when he turned to speak to the bartender and I caught a better glimpse of his face, I shook my head. “No, I don’t think I could kiss a blond anytime soon.”

“Too similar to Jaxon?” Sloan guessed.

“Yeah…definitely don’t need to find someone who resembles my ex.”

“So tall, dark, and handsome it is.”

“Yes.” I nodded. Then, not wanting to seem too eager, I quickly added, “H-hypothetically speaking, of course. I’m definitely not committing to talking to anyone, let alone kissing them.”

“Oh, you’re kissing someone tonight.” Sloan chuckled. “It’s happening.”

“Ahhh.” I shook my head and covered my cheeks with my hands as a sudden swell of anticipation filled my chest. “I’m not supposed to want to do this.”

“But you do.” Sloan laughed again, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

We spent the next few minutes casually scanning the room, weighing the pros and cons of different men as if we were at a farmer’s market deciding which produce was freshest.

“What about him?” Sloan nodded toward a man walking toward a table to our left. He was tall, well-built, and had a very handsome face.

“He’s cute,” I admitted.

“And he’s a brunette,” Sloan noted, approving of the dark-haired prospect.

“So he must be perfect, then,” I said. “Tall, handsome, and not a blond.”

“I’d say it’s time for you to go get your kiss from a hottie.” Sloan winked. “I mean, time is ticking.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress the small smile tugging at my lips. Maybe I was warming up to the idea after all.

“You really think I should do that?” I asked, my insecurities still needing reassurance. 

I mean, did people actually just walk up to random strangers in clubs and kiss them? 

I don’t want to get charged with assault, do I?

“I think you deserve to have a few minutes of spontaneous fun,” Sloan said. “Take a step out of your responsible, single-mom shoes and remind yourself what it’s like to just live in the moment and chase something that feels good.” Sloan shrugged. “And if you end up deciding that kissing hotties at a club was just a one-time thing, you don’t have to do it again.”

I nodded, taking in what she was saying.

This didn’t need to mean anything big. I didn’t need to take this super seriously or anything—it wasn’t like the next guy I kissed would be my future soulmate, right?

I was just going to try something different, and if I discovered that kissing complete strangers was in fact as awkward as I thought it might be, I didn’t have to do it again.

Or even step back into this club if I made a complete fool of myself.

Yeah… I breathed in deeply, hoping to calm my nerves. I could be spontaneous for two minutes.

“I think I’m gonna need a shot of tequila before I can do this,” I said when another surge of anxiety bubbled up.

“Here, have my drink.” Sloan pushed her margarita closer. “I’m friends with the bartender, and he always adds an extra shot to mine.”

Even though I was already feeling pretty buzzed after two drinks, I quickly downed what was left of Sloan’s drink.

“Remind me to hydrate after I’m done making an idiot of myself,” I said, setting her glass back on the table. “I can’t believe I’m actually considering this.”

“Yay, crazy Maddie is back,” Sloan teased, her grin wide.

I shook my head. “You’re supposed to be the responsible one.”

“Sorry, I’m a terrible influence.” She shrugged with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Before I could respond, a man appeared on the staircase that led down from the VIP lounges above. Not just any man—the man. 

The one you read about in books or see in movies, the kind that takes your breath away before you even realize you’ve stopped breathing. 

He was tall; his dark hair tousled just enough to suggest he wasn’t here to play by anyone’s rules. A jawline so sharp it looked like it could cut glass, and shoulders broad enough to carry the weight of the world—effortlessly, confidently, like it was all part of his day-to-day. 

But it wasn’t just his striking looks that rooted me to the spot. No, there was a pull, a kind of magnetic charge in the air around him. He had an aura of control, of power, that made the rest of the crowded club seem like a fuzzy background.

This wasn’t just a man who got things done—he was the kind of man who didn’t even need to ask twice. The one people would turn to when things went south, and he’d handle it without breaking a sweat.

“Now that…” I whispered under my breath, my heart betraying me with a wild flip in my chest—a sensation I hadn’t felt in years, “is a beautiful man.”

My eyes roamed over him as he made his way down the staircase to the main level, taking in his custom-tailored suit, which clung to his toned frame, accentuating every powerful line of his body. 

Even from across the room, there was something about him, something magnetic, that made me wonder if maybe Lexi’s idea of me kissing a stranger wasn’t so crazy after all.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” I murmured, unable to tear my gaze away as he strode toward the bar. “But I think I just found my guy.”

“Wait, what?” Sloan’s voice was distant, her eyes wide as they followed my line of sight.

It could’ve been the alcohol—or maybe it was just the sheer force of attraction—but when his eyes met mine, it felt like the universe paused. The room dimmed, the music softened, and all that existed was the pull between us. 

He leaned against the bar, and when his gaze seemed to take me in more fully, an electric current shot through me, a tug deep in my chest that urged me forward. And when he sent me a smoldering look, one that promised trouble in the best possible way, I knew that if I didn’t move now, I’d lose the nerve—and with it, the chance to be alive in a way I hadn’t been in too long.

“I’ll be right back,” I said, sliding out of my seat before Sloan could even think to stop me. 

“Wait…” Sloan started to say something, but I could barely hear her over the pounding in my ears as I made my way toward the stranger, my palms damp with the thrill of what I was about to do.

The handsome man’s dark eyes stayed locked on mine as I approached, and when I stopped in front of him, a slow smile spread across his lips.

“Hi,” I said, striving to sound confident even though my legs felt like they might give out at any second.

“Hi yourself,” he replied, his voice deep and smooth, sending a shiver down my spine. “And who might you be?”

I hesitated for just a moment before deciding that a little mystery wouldn’t hurt. “Just someone looking to be a little reckless.”

“Is that so?” His eyes gleamed with amusement as he leaned in closer. 

“Yes.” My breath hitched as I inched even closer, feeling the warmth radiating from him.

“Well, I’m sure I can help with that,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “Since Reckless is my middle name.”

I bet it is.

And before I could second-guess myself, I leaned in and pressed my lips against his.

He froze momentarily, like he hadn’t expected me to actually kiss him. But the initial surprise seemed to wash over him quickly because a second later, sparks ignited and his hand came up to my waist, pulling me against him as he deepened the kiss. 

And oh my heck, I knew it had been a while since my last first kiss, but I was pretty sure I’d never had a first kiss like this before—one with instant heat, want, and adrenaline. His lips were firm, skilled, and he tasted faintly of whiskey and something sweeter, something I couldn’t quite place.

I let my hand slip up his chest and neck until it rested against his jaw. His jaw was strong with just a hint of a five o’clock shadow. And I reveled in the feel of it. Jaxon had never been able to grow a beard, so the feel of this stranger’s light stubble on my fingertips was a new sensation. One that I loved.

He was a man. Powerful and strong.

Sexy.

Man, he was so sexy. And with the possessive way he was holding me, I might just burst into flames.

For a moment, as heat swirled hotter and hotter in my veins, the world around us disappeared. 

It was just him and me, wrapped up in the intensity of the kiss. 

“Oh honey, I’m so sorry your mommy wasn’t able to come home,” Sloan’s voice suddenly sounded in my head, bringing me back to reality. “She internally combusted in the arms of a hottie at the club last night.” 

And yeah, I didn’t know how much time had passed, but I should probably come back to earth before something like that happened.

So even though I didn’t want to, I slowed the kiss. When we finally broke apart, both of us were slightly breathless.

The stranger’s dark eyes searched mine, a hint of something more behind his playful smile. “Well, that was unexpected,” he murmured, his voice low.

I couldn’t help but smile back. “Good unexpected, or bad?”

“Definitely good,” he said, his thumb brushing lightly against my waist. “Though I wouldn’t mind knowing who just kissed me.”

I bit my lip, debating whether to reveal my name, but then decided to keep the mystery alive. “Maybe you’ll find out someday,” I teased, stepping back before things could get more complicated.

“I’ll hold you to that,” he said, his eyes promising this wasn’t the last time we’d meet.

With one last smile, I turned and walked back to Sloan, my heart racing as I tried to process what had just happened.

The neon lights of the club pulsed, flashing to the beat of the music as my best friend, Nora, and I made our way toward a table in the corner where our friends from the university hockey team had decided to gather for the night.

Usually, the guys held their after-game parties at the big house just off campus where a bunch of them lived so they could celebrate their win with the other students at Eden Falls University. But since it was the middle of winter break, and most of their fan club was home for the holidays with their families, they decided to take their celebration to The Garden.

“This place is amazing,” I told Nora as I slipped into the booth beside her, wondering why we’d never been here before. We didn’t drink much, since we were both on the university gymnastics team and tried our best to stick to our meal plans, but we did enjoy a good party on the nights we weren’t studying or training.

“I know, right?” she said, glancing around at the main level of the upscale club. “I heard this place was meant to look like the Garden of Eden or something, but I didn’t really believe it would look this good.”

“I wonder if all the plants are real,” I mused, eyeing the leafy vines creeping along the balcony above and the botanical arrangements filling every corner. It was full-on winter in Connecticut, but here, with the lush foliage and columns wrapped in vines and leaves to resemble trees, I could almost pretend that summer was right around the corner. In this ethereal ambiance, I could almost forget that my final semester of college was looming on the horizon, along with the reality that I’d have to start acting more like an adult soon.

Yeah...I had mixed feelings about graduating this coming May. Sure, as a senior I was thrilled to be almost done with my bachelor’s degree—it had been a grueling few years working to keep my grades up while trying to be in top shape for gymnastics. But even though things got crazy at times, I was also a bit overwhelmed about what came after. 

My life had revolved around gymnastics since I was three, and with my final season ending in just a few short months, I didn’t know what I’d do with myself once it was all over.

Hopefully, I’d find a job I liked in marketing…since changing my major for the fourth time was not exactly an option at this point. Not unless I wanted to come back for a fifth year of college.

"So, what are you wearing to my brother’s New Year’s Eve party?" Nora asked, breaking me from my thoughts.

"I haven’t decided yet," I said, tossing a lock of my blonde hair over my shoulder. “I’ve never been to a party at a famous pop star’s house before. Do you think everyone there is going to be crazy rich?”

“Probably.” Nora shrugged. “Ky doesn’t exactly have normal friends these days.”

That was an understatement. Nora had come from a normal middle-class family, but after her older brother, the famous Ky Miller, won a Grammy for Best New Artist for his debut album a few years ago, everything changed. Now Ky had a huge place in the Hamptons, where Nora invited me to stay with her for New Year’s.

“I’m just hoping Miles will be there,” I said, thinking about Ky’s NFL quarterback friend who had been at Ky’s Fourth of July party a couple of summers ago.

“Oh, definitely.” Nora’s eyes lit up. “He’s always fun to flirt with.”

“And not too bad to look at either.” I winked, picturing the tall guy with broad shoulders who was the sole reason Nora and I now tuned into the New Haven Sentinels games on Sunday afternoons. “Hopefully, he gets a night off with their big game against the Dragons coming up on Sunday.”

Though, since New Year’s Eve was on Friday, there was probably a low chance of him sneaking in time for a party.

I was about to ask if she and I would be sharing the same room at Ky’s house when a familiar raised voice caught my attention. 

“I wouldn’t be saying that if I were you,” the angry voice of the hockey team’s captain, Josh Rallison, cut through the club’s upbeat music. “I saved your butt out there, and if it wasn’t for me, you’d be sitting out our next game.”

I turned toward the sound of his voice, my heart giving an involuntary thud. Josh was standing a few feet away, speaking to another guy on the team, his jaw set and his body tense.

And even though we were trying to stay friends after our breakup last spring, my stomach still rolled at the memory of his temper. 

But before I could get too worked up, Josh’s eyes immediately softened and his lips curled into a grin as he slapped Andrew on the back, laughing. “Just kidding,” he said, his tone suddenly light. “Let’s just not make a habit of it, okay?”

I exhaled, the tension leaving my body as I watched the two guys laugh together. 

So he was just joking around this time?

“You okay?” Nora asked with a raised eyebrow. 

“Yeah,” I said, shaking my head with a small, relieved smile. “Just...old habits die hard, you know?”

“Oh, I know…” It looked like Nora was going to say something bad about Josh. But her expression softened instead. “I think it’s cool that you and Josh are getting along better this semester. After everything that happened.”

“We’re getting there.” I nodded slowly. “It’s definitely…complicated, but we’re making progress.”

“Well, I still think you need to find another guy tonight, like we were talking about earlier.” She smirked, her tone turning light. “You know, before you’re tempted to fall back into that ‘on-again, off-again’ cycle with Josh.”

“I’ve learned my lesson,” I said, sounding less sure than I intended. “We won’t be getting back together.”

“Good.” Nora gave me a satisfied smile. “You deserve someone who knows how lucky they are to have you. Someone tall and strong and sexy…” 

“Are you sure you’re not daydreaming about Miles Hawthorne again?” I grinned into my glass, the starry-eyed look in my best friend’s eyes all too familiar. It was basically the same expression she had on Sunday when the cameramen zoomed in on his face during the Sentinels game.

“No…” She shoved my arm and shot me a look. “You know my brother’s best friend is off-limits.”

“Yes…but that hasn’t stopped you from having steamy dreams featuring him and you in a hot tub now, has it?”

She rolled her eyes. “I knew I never should have told you about that dream.”

I laughed. “I mean, it did sound like a really good dream. I certainly wouldn’t mind a good hot-tub make-out sesh right about now.”

She raised her glass. “You and me both.”

“For real.” I clinked my glass with hers.

“Which is why our dating drought has to end tonight,” Nora said, turning in the booth, her eyes scanning the club like a hawk. “I mean, we’re hot, talented seniors on a Division I gymnastics team. We’re catches. And even if none of the guys at school were smart enough to snatch us up fall semester, surely there’s someone here who could be our perfect knight in shining armor...for at least one night, right?”

“I guess,” I said, glancing around at the various men in the club. “I mean, there has to be someone here for you at least.”

Nora’s brow furrowed. “But not you?”

I shrugged, my gaze drifting over to Josh, who was standing a few feet away chugging a beer with a few of his hockey friends while the other guys chanted “chug, chug, chug” in unison. 

“It’s probably not the best idea for me to hook up with some random guy in front of my ex…” I sighed, looking back at Nora. “Especially when I already agreed to be his designated driver tonight.”

“Ugh, why do you always have to be so considerate of his feelings?” Nora tsked, shaking her head. “I mean, he’s the one that messed up.”

“I know.” I sighed, the familiar knot of confusion tightening in my chest. “I just don’t want to risk messing up the truce we have going right now.”

When she opened her mouth to protest, no doubt ready to accuse me of being too considerate of my ex, I quickly added, “But he won’t be at Ky’s party, right? So we can focus on finding my knight in shining armor on Friday instead.”

“I’m gonna hold you to that.” Nora’s face lit up with a mischievous grin as she pointed a finger at me. “Because after dating the same dud for three years, you deserve to have at least a little fun during your last few months of college.”

“So true.”

“All right, let’s get serious,” Nora said, shifting in her seat again. “Time to scan the room for potential candidates.”

With that, the playful energy between us kicked back in. But as I glanced around the club, I realized I wasn’t exactly sure what I was looking for, since I had no clue what type of guy Nora would be in the mood for tonight.

But apparently, Nora was more decisive than usual because she quickly pointed toward the bar.

“Okay, I’ve got a contender,” she said, her voice low with excitement. “Oh, he’s a major hottie.”

I followed her gaze and froze as I took in the guy she was looking at. He had dark hair, was tall and broad-shouldered, and looked...surprisingly familiar.

I blinked my eyes a few times, wondering for a split second if I was seeing things. 

Was it possible the bartender had slipped me the alcoholic version of a Moscow Mule instead of the virgin one I’d asked for and the alcohol was messing with my eyes? 

But when I focused on the guy and recognized the button-up shirt I’d given him for Christmas, I knew I couldn’t be mistaken. Because I was ninety-nine percent sure the guy my best friend was pointing at was none other than...my older brother, Theo.

“Umm, Nora…” I started to say when Theo turned his head sideways just enough for us to get a better view of his face. 

And I knew the moment Nora recognized him, too, because her face immediately went beet-red.

“Oh my gosh!” She gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. “That’s Theo! I can’t believe I just called your brother a major hottie.”

I burst out laughing. “Apparently, your subconscious wants you to end this year with a bang by having you go after all the forbidden people in your life. First, it’s your brother’s best friend, then it’s your best friend’s brother... Who’s it gonna be next? Are you gonna go after Josh? Your best friend’s ex?”

“Never!” She crinkled her nose. “Ew. No.” 

“I mean, you and Theo would be pretty cute together.” I waggled my eyebrows, teasing her. “And just think...we could be sisters.”

“He’s way too old for me.” Nora rolled her eyes dramatically. “Plus, I know you think your niece is the cutest, but I’m nowhere near ready to be trusted with raising a child anytime soon.”

“So it’s only because he’s almost thirty and has a daughter?” I grinned, raising an eyebrow. “Because if you think my brother is hot...I can go up to him right now and ask if the attraction is mutual.”

“Oh no you won’t!” Nora’s eyes widened as she grabbed my arm, yanking me back. “You will not walk over there and tell your sexy corporate lawyer brother that I think he’s hot.”

“Oh, so you think my brother’s sexy?” I grinned even wider. 

Her eyes narrowed, but I could see the pink creeping up her neck. “I’m not blind. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to make a fool of myself tonight. Plus...isn’t he still grieving?”

I sighed, my expression softening as I thought about Theo. “He’ll probably always miss Alisha,” I said quietly, referring to my brother’s late wife who had died in a car accident a year and a half ago. “But he’s gone on a few dates lately, so I think he’s ready. Come on, let’s go talk to him. We’ve always said we should have been sisters.”

“No.” Nora chuckled, shaking her head. “I get why you’d want this but…roommates, teammates, and best friends will have to be it for us.”

“Fine.” I pouted playfully. “I guess I’ll try to be okay with that.” I was about to say something else when my gaze shifted back to the bar where Theo was now talking to one of the bartenders—and my breath caught.

Because...wow. The bartender was mega sexy. Dark hair, huge biceps that looked like they’d been carved from stone, and when he smiled at something Theo must have said, his whole face lit up, creating this instant magnetic pull.

“Holy crap,” Nora muttered, leaning in closer to get a better look. “Who’s that?”

“I…” I blinked, feeling my pulse speed up. “I have no idea. But wow.”

“Well, it looks like he and your brother are friends.” Nora grinned, raising a reddish-brown eyebrow. “Maybe we should forget about your plan to spare Josh’s feelings tonight and ask your brother for an introduction?”

I glanced over at Josh, who was now sitting in the booth with his back to the bar, and for a moment, I considered Nora’s suggestion. Maybe it was okay to say hi to my brother.

But just as we were standing from the booth, Nora winced and placed a hand on her lower stomach. “Can we hit the bathroom first? Because I really need to pee.”

“You and your tiny bladder.” I laughed, shaking my head. 

We headed to the bathroom, but as we were making our way back toward the bar, Josh was standing there, already getting another drink. When he saw us, he waved us over to him. 

“You two are still planning to be our DDs tonight, right?” he asked when we reached him, putting a muscular arm around my shoulders.

“Yes.” I nodded, trying not to feel that familiar warmth and safety that always came when he had his arm around me. “We’re just getting waters now.”

“Good. ‘Cause I’m about to get wast-ed,” he said excitedly.

And even though he seemed happy, a flicker of concern flashed through me. Josh wasn’t the best at knowing his limits, and he sometimes got into trouble because of it. 

But he’s not your responsibility anymore… I reminded myself. 

Plus, he really did seem happier tonight than he’d been last spring, so hopefully, things were better now and would stay that way.

The bartender finished preparing Josh’s drinks—one shot of clear liquor, probably vodka, and a beer—and set them down on the bar. “Looks like my drinks are done,” Josh said, giving me a quick kiss on the forehead before grabbing them. Then turning back to Nora and me with a grin, he said, “Enjoy your waters, girls.”

“What was that?” Nora asked, looking perplexed. “Do you think he’s already drunk enough that he forgot you’re broken up?”

“I have no idea,” I said, feeling as confused as she looked. “But at least we’re getting along?”

I watched Josh head back to his buddies, relieved that he seemed to be in a good mood at least. Then Nora looped her arm through mine, pulling me farther down the bar to where we’d seen Theo sitting earlier.

Just as we approached, two seats next to Theo became available.

“Hey, bro,” I said, sliding onto the barstool next to him. “Fancy running into you here.” 

“Oh hey, Lucy.” Theo looked up from his glass of scotch, clearly surprised to see us. “What are you doing here?”

“Came with Nora and the hockey team to celebrate their win.” I shrugged. “We saw you from our table and thought we’d say hi.”

And yeah…hoping to flirt a little with the bartender, too. But my brother didn’t need to know about that other motive.

“Well, what a great surprise. Never thought I’d see the day when my baby sister would be grown up enough that I’d run into her at a club.” Theo was eight years older than me, so we hadn’t hung out much growing up. But after Alisha died, I’d moved in with him to help with Charlotte during my summer breaks from college and we’d grown a lot closer because of that.

“And it’s good to see you as always, Nora.” Theo leaned forward to smile at my friend. “I trust you’re keeping my sister out of trouble.”

“Of course,” Nora said, and I noticed the faintest flush creeping up her neck when she met my brother’s gaze.

Was she blushing? 

When our eyes met, I could’ve sworn I saw her shoot me a warning look, as if telling me to keep our earlier conversation about how attractive she thought my brother was just between us.

I turned back to Theo and asked, “What are you doing here all alone on a Sunday night anyway?”

“I met a girl for drinks earlier.” Theo took a sip of his drink, leaning back in his seat. “Walked her to her car, then decided to come back and chat with my friend Owen.” He gave a subtle nod toward the bartender Nora and I had been eyeing earlier. “Charlotte’s at Mom and Dad’s tonight, and I just didn’t feel like heading home yet.”

“Ooohh, you had a date?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “How was it?”

“It was all right.” Theo shrugged. “Someone I met on a dating app, but I don’t think there’ll be a second date.”

“Ah, dang,” I said, frowning.

“It’s okay,” he said, turning his wrist to adjust his Rolex. “Owen and I were actually just talking about how it’s all a numbers game. As long as we keep at it, it’s gotta work out sometime.”

“Oh, so you’re on the dating apps, too?” Nora turned toward the bartender, who had just walked over from the other end of the bar, clearly picking up on the fact that Owen was the friend Theo had been talking about.

“Yeah.” Owen gave a half-smile, leaning slightly against the bar. “I caved about a month ago and signed up.”

“But you’re still single?” Nora raised an eyebrow, and I could feel my cheeks heat up when Owen’s gaze shifted between me and Nora. 

His eyes lingered on mine for a heart-pounding second, seeming to inspect my face, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he could somehow sense why we might be interested in his relationship status.

Hopefully, he didn’t think we were trying to hit on him…even if that was exactly why we’d come over.

“Yeah, I’m single,” Owen said with a shrug, a playful glint in his eyes.

It looked like he was about to say something more, but then Theo patted me on the back and said, “Lucy here has no idea how bad online dating is these days.”

“Never had to sign up, huh?” Owen asked.

“Nope,” Theo answered for me. “She met her long-term boyfriend at their freshman orientation and that was that.”

And with those few words, my heart dropped because Theo made it sound like Josh and I were still together.

Which we definitely weren’t. 

I cleared my throat to clear things up. But before I could say anything, Owen said, “I’m guessing the long-term boyfriend is the guy I just saw you with? The one I gave drinks to down the bar?”

“Yeah,” I muttered, tension creeping up my neck as I shifted in my seat. 

But before I could explain that Josh and I were just friends, Owen glanced at us again. “So, are you two just here to chat with my fancy lawyer friend, or would you like me to get you something to drink?”

“Can I get a water?” I asked, trying to keep my tone casual though my words came out too quickly.

“Me too,” Nora added.

“Sure thing.” Owen nodded and turned to grab our drinks. His movements were smooth and confident. 

And as he filled our glasses, I couldn’t help but watch the way his muscles flexed with every motion, his biceps subtly stretching the fabric of his black T-shirt. He was different from the guys at school—a few years older, obviously. But I also sensed a confident maturity that was so attractive after dating a dude-bro for so many years. 

When he returned with our waters, a guy in a business suit approached the bar, and instead of lingering to chat like I’d hoped, Owen quickly shifted his focus to the new customer.

“You and Nora still heading to Ky’s party on Friday?” Theo asked, bringing me back into our conversation.

“Yeah,” I replied, trying to focus on my brother, though my thoughts wanted to keep slipping back to his friend. “What about you? Were you able to get a babysitter for Charlotte?”

“Alisha’s parents are keeping her overnight. So I should be able to make it,” Theo said with a smile. “I don’t know what I’d do without all the family around to help.”

“I know,” I said. “We’re the best.”

“And humble, too.” Theo chuckled and took another sip of his scotch.

“Of course.” I grinned.

As we continued to talk, a guy who looked to be in his mid-twenties stepped up to the bar next to Nora, striking up a conversation with her.

“Think Nora’s gonna give this guy a chance?” Theo nodded over at the light-haired guy who had started chatting with my friend.

“I don’t know.” I looked at the guy briefly and then to Nora, studying her body language. “She seems interested right now, at least.”

“Yeah?” Theo raised a dark eyebrow. “I can never tell with her.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked, curious what my brother thought about my best friend.

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I’ve just seen her with so many different types of guys since you’ve been friends that I’ve always been curious if there’s a common thread among any of them.”

“I have no idea,” I admitted, since I’d been equally puzzled about Nora’s tastes in men. “But I think a lot of it is the chase.”

“The chase?” Theo furrowed his brow.

“Being pursued,” I said. “You know, having someone woo her. It’s nice to feel wanted.”

At least, I wouldn’t mind feeling wanted for a change. Desired. Instead of as someone’s backup plan.

“I guess I can see that,” Theo nodded thoughtfully. “We all want to feel wanted.” He looked back at Nora and seemed like he was about to say something when his phone buzzed. After checking the notification, he sighed and said, “My ride just pulled up out front. I better head out.”

“Got another early morning meeting in New Haven?” I asked, knowing my brother’s high-powered law firm kept him busy. He was one of the youngest junior partners in the firm’s history and was hoping to make senior partner before too long.

“My client wants to meet before his deposition.”

“Sounds exciting,” I said, still not fully understanding what my brother’s demanding job entailed.

“Very,” he said with a wink, grabbing his suit coat from the back of his chair and slipping it over his shoulders.

“Well…” I stood and gave him a quick hug. “Take care, bro.”

“You too.” After returning my hug, Theo tapped Nora on the shoulder to say a quick goodbye. “See you Friday.” And just like that, he was gone.

I slipped back into my seat. Since Nora was still happily chatting with the guy next to her, leaving me the third wheel, I let my gaze wander over to Owen while I sipped on my water. He was wiping down the counter with a dishrag, and maybe it was because I hadn’t kissed anyone in months, but dang! The way the muscles in his forearms flexed as he moved the cloth...it was so hot. Almost hypnotizing.

I’d never seen arms like his before. 

Did he just lift weights all day?

As a bartender, his schedule was probably pretty open for a nice, long mid-morning workout at the gym...

He had a great torso, too. Nice pecs. Toned shoulders and back.

The sleeve of his black T-shirt rose just enough on his bicep to reveal the bottom of a tattoo. Dang. Tattoos were hot.

Did he have any others? Maybe something on that well-defined chest of his? Or on his back...

Too bad I wasn’t drunk right now. If I was, I might be able to get away with flirtatiously asking him to show me more of his tattoo.

Okay, Lucy…you’re getting way too carried away, I chided myself. Since when did I objectify guys like this?

Since you saw the sexiest man alive wiping down the counter like he had plans to lick something right off of it.

I found myself imagining him walking around the bar, his eyes locked on mine, the space between us pulsing with tension. He’d step closer, his strong hands gently lifting me up on the counter, setting me there as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The cool—now sparkling clean—surface beneath me would send a shiver through my body and then his hands would thread through my hair, tilting my head back just enough for him to press his lips to mine. 

It would start soft, tentative—because, of course, he was a gentleman—but then heat and hunger would rush in, and before long, I’d be wondering if I was about to burst into flames.

I closed my eyes, imagining the feeling of his mouth against mine, the way his kiss would send a shiver down my spine, the way his strong hands would press into my back and pull me closer to him and—

“…Now to see if that guy actually texts me,” Nora’s voice entered my mind.

And just like that, I was snapped out of my fantasy and back to sitting in my seat—sadly, not in the bartender’s arms.

“Sorry, what?” I blinked, looking at Nora who was watching me. 

And that was when I realized that the guy she’d been chatting with was no longer at the bar.

My cheeks instantly burned. How long had I been checked out for?

Nora grinned, clearly aware of what was going on. “I was just saying that I wonder if that guy will actually text me or if he was just being nice.”

“He asked for your number?”

“Yeah,” she said, glancing over at Owen briefly before raising her eyebrows at me. “But I think you might need to exchange more than just phone numbers with our sexy bartender before you internally combust.”

“Was my daydreaming that obvious, then?” I gasped, covering my eyes with my hands.

“Only because I know you.” Nora chuckled. 

“Sorry.” I shook my head. “I don’t know what has come over me tonight. I just... I don’t think I’ve ever found a guy so physically attractive in my life.”

“Well…” Nora laughed. “He is way hot and your exact physical type. Almost as if that guy from your favorite Korean drama and Theo James had a baby...”

“Two guys having a baby?” I cocked an eyebrow. “Do I need to give you a biology lesson?”

Not that I’d ever been great at science. I was, after all, the girl who had put off getting her required chemistry credits done until her last semester of college.

“Oh, you know what I mean.” Nora waved it off.

“I know, I was teasing.” I laughed nervously, feeling jittery as I glanced back to Owen and considered Nora’s description. And realizing that she was spot on, I said, “And yeah, that’s actually the perfect description. Like Kim Soo-hyun and Theo James had a baby that grew up to be a hot bartender.”

Almost as if his ears had been burning, said bartender looked down the bar at us. When his eyes briefly locked with mine, my heart skipped a beat. And as he walked back toward us, his confidence practically radiating off of him, a rush of heat flooded my cheeks.

Get yourself together, Lucy, I told myself. Just because he’s walking your way doesn’t mean you can slip into another fantasy.

“Do you ladies need anything?” he asked, his voice smooth, deeper than I remembered. “Another water? Or perhaps something stronger?”

And suddenly, I was tongue-tied. 

Which had never happened to me before.

“I’ll take another water,” Nora answered first. Then with a smirk, she added, “And your phone number for my friend here.”

“Nora!” I gasped, my eyes going wide before I elbowed her in the side. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

But Owen’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he glanced at me and said, “Didn’t our mutual friend Theo mention you have a long-time boyfriend?”