Page 27 of Until the Last Star Fades

“Sorry, just have to text Erika. She’s wondering where I am.” Mid-text, Riley did a double take as Ben removed his hat and pawed a hand through his thick dark hair. My God, that hair—slightly wavy permanent bedhead, sexy as hell…If I were a guy with hair like that, I’d never hide it under a cap. She finished her response to Erika, hitting send.

Friend emergency. Sorry! All OK. Chat tomorrow.

“So, your boyfriend…?”

“Josh, yeah. He was calling about the Frozen Four—the NCAA championship final. It’s tomorr—ah, it’s Saturday now, right?” She set her phone on the table. “It’s tonight, and I’m going.”

“You’re going? You’re flying to North Dakota—in a few hours?”

“No, it’s in Saint Paul, Minnesota.”

His eyes widened. “Mad!”

“Josh’s team won the semi-final on Thursday, so tonight’s the final. He’s paying for me to go. It’s definitely a flying visit. I’m back Sunday, so I won’t miss classes or anything.”

“Wow. You’re his number one fan, then.”

“Well, it’s the biggest game of Josh’s collegiate hockey career. Tons of media will be there, NHL scouts. It’s a big deal—over 18,000 tickets have been sold.”

Ben lifted his elbows off the table as the server swiped a damp cloth over its surface and set down two menus before toddling away to the kitchen. “All this for a college game?”

“Oh, college sports are massive here. Games are on TV, athletes get treated like celebrities—it’s kinda crazy. Anyway…” Riley removed her jacket and steered the conversation away from the minefield that was her relationship with Josh. “How do you like New York so far?”

“It’s bloody brilliant! Skyscrapers, yellow taxis—I feel like I’ve walked onto a movie set.”

“Are you settled in at your Airbnb?”

The server delivered two glasses of water to their table. Ben waited for her to leave before continuing. “Yeah, I’m staying at Hunter’s place. He’s the purple thong guy, the Aubergine?” He chuckled. “Fuck, sorry…British brain. He’s the Eggplant.”

The emoji sign from the club flashed through Riley’s mind. “Oh! Right.” The beast part. She giggled, lifting the bridesmaid sash over her head.

“I needed cash and Hunter hooked me up with the dancing gig. Being skint with zero connections, I didn’t have much choice. Desperate times and all that, right?”

Riley picked at the glitter on the sash. “Right…”

“I thought it would be easy, but it was hard and I hated it!” Ben’s attention followed a burger being whisked toward the next table. “Hunter said tips were amazing, but all I got were pity tips—one dollar here and there.” He exhaled. “So, now I’m back where I started—unemployed and broke.”

Riley checked out the menu. “Well, I couldn’t believe it when I saw you onstage. You don’t seem like the stripper type.”

“There’s a type?”

She laughed, hoping she could lighten his mood. Alone in New York without a job, without much money—she wouldn’t wish that on anyone. She peeked over the oversized menu. “You know what I mean.”

“So, what you’re saying is…” He scowled, but the playfulness in his eyes suggested it was for effect. “I’m not hot enough to be a stripper.”

“Oh, I don’t know, I’m sure you’re attractive enough under that hoodie, baseball cap, jumper…”

They both burst out laughing.

Ben stretched back in the booth, a smile growing. “They were desperate, someone quit…”

“You looked good up there…” Riley felt her cheeks heat up as Ben raised a cheeky eyebrow. “But no offense, Ben—those guys have muscles on top of muscles.”

“No offense taken.” He winced. “All those hours in the gym? I kept thinking of all the hours I’d miss in the pub.”

The server returned. “Ready to order?”

Riley looked at Ben, waiting for him to peruse the menu.