Page 9 of Ink & Stardust

“Worked out okay for me so far.”

I can see his smile as clearly as if he were standing right in front of me.

“On that note, I should go.”

“Right, right. The coffee date.”

“Call you next week?”

“Sounds good, sis. Love you.”

“Love you, too.” I quickly end the call, moving forward as the line shifts.

“Let me guess, overprotective brother?”

I startle, having not expected someone to be listening to my conversation, quickly turning to find out the culprit. I open my mouth to tell him to mind his own business but quickly snap it shut when I’m met with soft eyes and a lopsided grin.

“Yeah, something like that.” I clear my throat, taken aback by how cute the guy is.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s no Kai Elliot—who I swear I haven’t been having the craziest dreams about ever since the party a couple of weeks ago—but he’s still extremely good-looking.

Almost white, blond hair that curls at the ends, just long enough to hang over his ears. Hazel eyes that are more blue than green. A solitary dimple on his left cheek. He’s tall without being too tall. Muscular without being huge. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s an athlete, probably football by the looks of him.

“I’ve got an older sister that I may or may not have lied to a time or two to get her off my back.” His smile deepens.

“Who said I was lying?”

“No offense, but it was kind of obvious.”

“Because I’m so atrocious that there’s no way someone would ever want to meet me for coffee?” I challenge, arching a brow.

“Oh, no.” He shakes his head adamantly, his eyes doing a long sweep over me. “Definitely not that. In fact, quite the opposite. You’re incredibly beautiful.”

I feel the familiar hum of blood rushing up my neck before spreading across my cheeks.

“I’m Owen.”

“Lyric.”

“Lyric,” he repeats the name. “I like it.” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “So, Lyric, care to join me for a cup of coffee? I mean, that way you didn’t actually lie to your brother and all.”

I stare at him for a long moment, trying to figure out his angle. Because clearly he has to have one, right?

“I shouldn’t.” I start to spout the first excuse I can think of.

“Before you turn me down, just know, I’m actually quite the conversationalist.” His dimple makes another appearance. “I’d hate for you to miss out on that.”

Is he flirting with me?

Certainly not, right? I mean, I’m not the girl that guys like him usually flirt with. At least, not in my experience. Then again, I was with Leo for so long, and everyone knew it, so what do I actually know? Maybe no one ever approached me because I was already spoken for.

“Next,” the barista calls, and I’m suddenly aware that the line in front of me has completely filed out.

“Guess that’s me.” I move to the counter and quickly place my order. Only, before I have a chance to pay, Owen steps up next to me.

“I got hers. And I’ll take a black coffee as well,” he tells the lady behind the register.

“Oh, you don’t have to—” I start.

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