Page 33 of Property of Fox

I turn, half-expecting to see Fox’s mischievous grin lighting up his face. The one that has the power to make my heart race and send butterflies spiraling through my stomach. Instead, standing before me is a tall guy with tousled hair the color of midnight and striking blue eyes that twinkle like stars. He wears an effortlessly casual outfit. Fitted jeans hug his toned legs, paired with a snug black shirt that clings to his muscles and makes it painfully clear that he spends hours at the gym.

“I’m Skylar,” he says smoothly, extending a hand towards me like it’s nothing more than second nature for somebody who makes girls weak in the knees daily. “And you are? Other than absolutely stunning?”

“Brea.” The word tumbles from my lips before I realize what I'm doing, shaking hands with him when all I wanted was to find Fox again.

“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Can I take you out for coffee or something? You know, how about we make this mantra more than just words?” Skylar’s tone oozes confidence while he leans closer like he expects everything to fall perfectly into place because it usually does for him.

I open my mouth to decline politely but instead find myself lost in the deep blue pools of his eyes that spark curiosity and maybe a hint of trouble. “Uh…I’m sorry, but I can’t leave my friend by herself.”

“She can come, too. I have two arms. One for each of you.”

“As flattered as I am, I can’t,” I declare.

“Ah come on, baby girl. It’s not every day that you can say that a cover model asked you out on a date.”

“I really can’t.” I feel my cheeks warm under the intensity of his gaze, wishing that Fox’s presence could magically materialize beside me to make it easier to turn this guy down.

“She’s not that interested, man,” Keira interjects into the conversation. “Move along now.”

Skylar raises an eyebrow, clearly unaccustomed to rejection. “You sure know how to break a guy’s heart, don’t you?” he says, his tone lacking sincerity. “Your loss.” As swiftly as he interjected himself into my conversation with Keira, he leaves, scurrying back down the row of authors before disappearing into the crowd at the end.

“So why did you just run off a smoking hot guy?”

“Other than he just inserted himself into our conversation, invited me on a date, and then got butt-hurt about me rejecting him? He’s a real Prince Charming.”

“Yeah, but a Prince Charming with six-pack abs and an Instagram following that could probably launch him into the stratosphere. You realized you just turned down a once in a lifetime date?”

I roll my own eyes dramatically and muster up an exaggerated sigh because she knows I don’t do well when someone forces attention on me. “He’s all yours if you want to shoot your shot.”

“Nah, he’s not my type.” Keira rolls her eyes dramatically, flipping her long hair over one shoulder. “He comes off as a Tamlin when I really prefer Rhysand.”

“You’re definitely not wrong.”

Keira links her arm with mine as we continue our walk through the last of the tables before the signing ends. “You have to admit, B. It does feel good to get a little male attention for once.”

“Not all male attention is good,” I fire back.

Keira chuckles. “You're the pro at this.” I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of her statement. When it comes to men and dating, I am far from an expert. We reach the end of the aisle just as an announcement blares over the loudspeaker, signaling the end of the event.

As we reach the exit doors that lead out onto the bustling street, Keira brings up dinner again. “So, what do you say? We can grab something quick on our way over.”

I hesitate only briefly before an impulsive thrill courses through me like electricity. The type that leaves goosebumps rippling along my arms before spilling out unceremoniously, “Actually...Keira. I, um, need to tell you something. I may have agreed to a date tonight.”

Keira comes to a complete halt, eliciting grumbles from the readers behind who nearly smack into us. “Date? What date?”

I take a deep breath. “I might have met someone at the welcome party last night when you ditched me.”

Keira’s eyes widen, her mouth dropping open in shock as she processes my words. “Brea Quinn! You met someone, and you didn’t tell me. Is that why you were stalling to leave last night?”

“Maybe?” I chew on my lip, feeling like I have revealed a little too much to her. “I didn’t think I’d see him again, and when I had my panic attack, he kind of came to my rescue.”

“You weren’t flushed because you were hot earlier. You were really blushing! You were with him. You hussy.”

“Keep it down, Keira. Everyone is watching.”

“Let them. My best friend met a man and didn’t tell me a single thing about him. I am crushed right now. It’s a breach of the best friend code of conduct.”

“Okay, okay! You’re right. I’m sorry!” I rush to whisper back, glancing around to see if anyone is paying us attention. “It just happened, and I am still in shock myself.”

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