Page 58 of Until the Last Star Fades

“Makes sense. You’ve known Josh forever then, eh?”

“Since I was eight. We met playing hockey at the community center, went to the same schools, but didn’t date until the summer after freshman year of college. I bumped into him, he asked me out, and the rest is history…” I gotta move this away from Josh. No engagement talk—I can’t stomach it. “So, yeah…Daddy dearest let us down.”

“Does he still live in New York?”

She shrugged. “I cut ties after he married Clarissa and told Mom I wanted nothing to do with him. I probably have half-siblings, but I wouldn’t know them if they were sitting beside me on the subway. Broken families—fun, huh?”

They both stood in silence for a moment, Nik Kershaw’s “Wouldn’t It Be Good” blasting through the speakers.

Riley laughed. “Now that DJ Bob and I have bummed you out…”

“No, it feels good sharing this stuff with someone who understands.”

“It does…yeah.” Riley smiled.

DJ Bob chopped off Mr. Kershaw, leaping into Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy”.

“I LOVE this one!” Ben shouted, his eyes wild. “You in? Real life can wait four minutes, yeah?”

“It can wait all night, Monkey!” Riley laughed and raced him to the center of the dance floor.

Twenty-Four

Lit up by the jaundiced yellow glow of the Funky Town awning, Riley fished her keychain from her purse. “I’m gonna feel it tomorrow. My only exercise is swimming, and I haven’t been in weeks.”

“See?” Ben crammed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans, his fingers reuniting with a few candy hearts. “Not only am I expanding your social horizons but your physical fitness ones, too! And coming from me, Tragic Mike, that’s saying something.”

“It is.” She laughed. “I’m sorry I couldn’t buy you another beer.”

“Riles, I wanted your company and a natter more than booze.”

The smile lifting his whisper made her blush. Adorable. Charming English guys like you don’t stay single long. She pointed her key at the door, her puffin keychain poking out from her palm. “Well, it’s almost 2 A.M. I should get…”

Ben’s eyes left hers, dropping to his sneakers scuffing the sidewalk. “Yeah, I have songs to learn tomor—today, actually. Can’t show up and forget the words.” He looked up, running a hand through his hair. It was even wilder than usual from his uninhibited dance floor acrobatics. The memory made Riley giggle, and Ben chuckled like he was in on the joke, too. “I had a good time. Thanks for hanging out.”

Riley nodded. “Thanks for getting me out!”

“Anytime.” His eyes traced her mouth, all hilarity vanishing from his warm gaze.

Riley felt every second of his stare, her mouth going dry. I can’t help but wonder what he’d be like, how he’d taste… She glanced down the street. “You okay getting back to Hunter’s?”

“Yeah, I’m good.” He pulled the strings dangling from his hood.

“Good.” Riley weaved on the spot. Should we…hug? I always hug my friends goodbye, but…he didn’t hug Piper. This is awkward!

Ben rubbed his nose, dampening a nervous chuckle. “Well, ’night.” He rolled back on his heels, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. “I’ll text you, yeah?”

“Yeah.” Riley gave a kind smile, her final goodbye. “Get home safe.”

Ben backed up, lifting his hand in an overly enthusiastic wave. “You too!”

Riley turned, hiding her giggle as she unlocked the door.

• • •

Staring skyward, Ben picked up speed along St. Mark’s Place, his face and neck burning up from the inferno of embarrassment sizzling under his skin.

Fagan! You absolute muppet!! “You too!” What kind of goodbye was THAT? What’s she gonna think? And I should’ve hugged her. I have no problem shagging a girl within an hour of meeting her but didn’t move in to hug Riley good night? It’s just a hug, idiot! Why does that scare you so much?