Page 97 of Until the Last Star Fades

“I’ll let Hunter know I’m on my way and we can make a move.” He glanced up at Riley. “This weather, eh? Last weekend in June and we’re both wearing sweaters.” His fingers slipped along his hem. “Thanks for dropping this off. Maggie fixed it perfectly—it’s like new! You’d never know there was a hole.”

“There were five holes!” Riley snickered. “I think it’s time to buy another sweater. You can’t live in New York with just one—”

Her phone lit up. PARTY UPDATE—Josh brought a date! Leia stormed out, says his date is one of Tyler’s puck bunnies. PLS COME SOON. Can’t have bachelorette/bachelor party w/o ANY bridesmaids!

Her shoulders fell.

“Is it Maggie?”

“No, Erika’s freaking out.” Riley looked up. “Josh brought a date, Leia left in a huff…”

“Shit! Are you okay—with Josh being…?”

“With someone? It’s fine. I want him to move on, I just… It’s going to be awkward, and I wish I didn’t have to go.”

Ben walked away, yanking his sweater over his head.

Riley’s eyebrows pinched. “Too hot?”

“I’m changing. I can’t let you walk in there solo, not when he’s bringing someone.”

What? He’s coming…with me? “Ben, I’ll be fine. You, on the other hand, are gonna face Hunter’s wrath if you don’t show in Soho soon.” Her eyes traced his back, his muscles flexing as he whipped open the small closet by the door. You’re staring again! Stop! She dove back into her phone.

“This party’s posh, right? At some exclusive sky-high bar?”

Her phone buzzed with a text.

RYE HELLO! Did you get my msg?

“Yeah, but I dressed for the rooftop deck…warmth and comfort over style.” She giggled, beginning her reply to Erika. “All Erika’s fashionista friends will probably stare—”

Zzzzzzzip.

Riley glanced up. Ben was stepping out of his jeans, his navy underwear with several FCUKs on the waistband showing, along with so much more. Oh—hello, tight butt! He turned and she caught a glimpse of body hair before her eyes drifted…down…followed by her jaw. Woah, Ben…! She averted her gaze, her mind stuttering.

Ben pulled a dark gray suit from the closet. “C’mon, Riles, get your skates on!” A laugh left his lips. “Tonight’s another first—we’re partying under the stars!”

• • •

Thirty stories above the squawking taxis and Friday night madness of Midtown, Ben and Riley strolled down a moodily lit hallway that opened into The Skylark’s main lounge, all floor-to-ceiling windows, leather couches, and Instagram-worthy views.

“See anyone you—wow!” Ben sputtered. “Look!” He pointed to their right where the Empire State Building glittered its breathtaking welcome.

Riley sighed. “Oh!” Smitten by the jewel in the dark sky, she stepped toward the glass. “She’s stunning.”

“Yeah, she is.” Ben smiled softly, his eyes sweeping up Riley’s back to the honey waves pooling over her shoulders.

“Rye, thank God!” Erika rushed through a cluster of Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein, her champagne-hued cocktail dress a successful score after schmoozing with designers at last month’s Met Gala. “You’re here…with Ben?” She side-eyed his secondhand suit.

I saw that Erika! Riley squeezed Ben’s arm. “Yes, and don’t we look amazing?”

His hand crept up his black tie. “I hope I’m not gatecrashing…”

“No, it’s just—” Erika’s flittering glance searched her guests.

“Josh is here—yeah, Riles told me.”

Erika smiled tightly. “I can’t deal with more drama.”