Man, I really have been out of the dating pool too long if I can’t even have a conversation with a gorgeous guy before daydreaming about how he looks half-naked.
“I’m Boone Hammond,” the stranger who is a stranger-no-longer explains, sticking out his hand.
We shake, and when he releases me, my fingers keep tingling.
“Sutton Fox,” I say, reaching up to tuck my long, dark hair behind my ear. “Hey, thanks for being my knight in shining…suit down there. That guy was a major creep.”
Boone chuckles and eases back in his seat. He folds his muscled arms over his well-built chest. “I’d recognize a damsel in distress anywhere,” he quips before playfully winking. “But to be honest, I wasn’t worried about you. I was worried about him. If I waited for another second, I think you might’ve decked him.”
I flash a glossed grin, glad now that I had Kali get me all dolled up before I left for the party. I suppose you never know what cutie you’re going to run into, especially at an affair like this. I might not have any time for a relationship, but I can have at least one flirty conversation before I go.
“I’m pretty good at taking care of myself,” I admit with a laugh. “It’s nice when someone else steps in to help though. A bar fight probably wouldn’t have helped my brand at all.”
“Brand?” he echoes, gorgeous blue eyes curious. “Wait, let me guess. Are you one of those…what are they called?” He pauses and his face twists one way and then the other in deep thought. “In-flu-enzers?”
He pronounces the word like he’s speaking another language entirely and puts a weird, southern emphasis on the middle syllable.
“In... flu... enzer?” I repeat, jaw dropping.
I laugh until I can’t breathe. It’s probably not the sexiest look in the whole world, but Boone merely looks pleased to have brought me so much amusement. His chest is puffing a bit with pride despite the hilarious tears building in the corners of my eyes.
“Tell me you did not just say that,” I finally manage to pant. “It sounds like you’re talking about a deadly disease. I’m a beauty influencer. My two best friends and I have a popular YouTube channel where we post a lot about lifestyle, makeup, fashion tips, etcetera. Believe me, there’s definitely no infection involved.”
Boone chuckles, eyes gleaming. He has an attractive laugh, one that suddenly gives me an old-fashioned hankering for sweet tea and buttery biscuits. When he crosses one ankle over his knee, his foot jiggles slightly and the overhanging lights glint against the leather of his black shoe.
“I guess I’m pretty out of the loop when it comes to social media things. My coaches have always been pretty strict about what we should post online, so I just don’t.”
“Oh. So you’re, like, a sports dude?” I ask, intrigued.
“Athlete,” he corrects with an amused grin. “But yes. I play for the Coyotes, the professional rugby team here in LA. I actually just moved here last year.”
I narrow my eyes playfully on the handsome athlete. “Rugby? That’s kinda like real football, right?”
“Says the in-flu-enzer,” he teases right back, grin widening.
We burst into laughter again as we sip our drinks, appraising each other curiously at the same time.
“Are you a California girl, born and raised?” he finally asks.
When I nod, he gives a thoughtfulhmmand gazes down into his drink before swirling the glass gently. Ice clinks against the backdrop of soft music and the muted conversation of other people on the terrace.
“Where are you from, Boone?”
He smiles again, but this time it’s a small, almost bittersweet smile. “Texas. They say everything is bigger in Texas, but here in California, everything is way more overwhelming. It’s all hustle and bustle and rush and fuss. It makes a country boy’s head spin. I’m definitely not in Texas anymore.”
I set down my drink on the small table in front of us, then slip off my heels and curl up on the couch with my feet beneath me. Nestled in Boone’s jacket, it almost feels like I’ve known him forever, even though he’d only just whisked me away moments ago. With him, I don’t feel this pressure to be a picture-perfect girl. I can simply chat with him, person to person. He has my curiosity piquing.
“I can definitely imagine a move like that being overwhelming,” I say. “I grew up not far from here, so I’ve never had to truly relocate. Did you come out here all by yourself?”
He drags a hand through his dark blond hair and an uncomfortable expression flashes across his face. Just when I'm regretting saying anything, he shakes his head but the movement is so small I almost blink and miss it.
“I actually moved here with a girl—Lucy. We’d been together since high school, but in our tiny town, that wasn’t unusual. She ended up cheating on me a little while after we got here.”
“I'm so sorry,” I whisper, wincing.
Boone shrugs strong shoulders. “I’m over it now. I mean, I’m way too busy with the Coyotes’ intense training schedule to date anyway, so maybe it was for the best. Plus, we hadn’t exactly been happy before the move.” He pauses and strokes his chin before laughing quietly. “Honestly, the hardest thing about being single lately is the team’s fangirls. They’re relentless! I can hardly walk down the sidewalk without one of the Coyotes’ groupies tackling me. It was never like that in Texas.”
I paw playfully at his shoulder. “That’s because you’re special here! That southern charm of yours is going to attract girls for miles.” I sigh. “I get what you’re saying, though. The only men whose interest I seem to catch are sleazeballs like the one downstairs. If I had time for romance, it would definitely not be with someone like that.”
