Falling Star

by Laura DeLuca

  Ravi grinned. “I certainly hope you’re right.”

  Erin flushed an even deeper shade of red. “I suppose I should let you two gentlemen get down to business. See you around.”

  Her smile was timid, a little shy, but not lacking confidence. Ravi definitely liked that. Erin grabbed her drinks and he studied her movements, entranced by her poise and grace as she joined her group at their table. One had black hair, wore a baby tee, and had her leather boots propped up against the table. The other was more conservative, with her brown tresses pulled back in a neat braid and glasses sitting on the edge of her nose, but she still had a creative quality about her another artist instantly recognized. Both women were attractive in their own way, but Ravi couldn’t take his eyes off Erin. She was stunning in her designer jeans and casual black camisole. The overhead lights brought out the natural red highlights in her dark brown mane and those eyes ... even in the few seconds he’d spoken with her, he noticed they were the type of hazel that was always changing color, showing hints of blue one moment and green the next.

  “So, Ravi.” Trevor clapped his hands together, forcing Ravi to turn away from Erin. “Want me to grab you a beer before we get down to business?”

  Ravi shook his head. After all the trouble he’d gotten himself into a few years ago, he avoided alcohol altogether. It was safer that way. “A cola would be great. I don’t like to mix business and pleasure.”

  Trevor complied and Ravi was relieved he didn’t press the issue. A lot of guys would bust his stones for turning down a cold one. Once the soda was on the bar, they spent the next hour hashing out details, lightly heckling over price and hours until they reached a mutually beneficial agreement. Ravi would show up every Friday night from seven to eleven. If things worked out in the summer, Trevor said he might even extend the gig into the winter months. That worked out great with Ravi’s school schedule and the pay was generous too. He couldn’t have been happier, unless he managed to get the number of that sexy girl with the red highlights.

  Do you really think you’re ready to date?

  Ravi shook the pesky voice away. Was he supposed to stay single until he was on social security? It had been four years since Elizabeth, and aside from a few one-night stands he’d definitely regretted in the morning, he hadn’t been with another woman. To be honest, no one had caught his attention. Until now. And Erin certainly seemed interested in him too. She kept casting sidelong glances in his direction whenever she thought he wasn’t paying attention, but Ravi boasted twenty-twenty vision, and he didn’t miss much.

  “Hey, Trevor.” Ravi sipped his drink, trying to sound casual. “How well do you know that girl you were talking to earlier?”

  Trevor narrowed his eyes. “You mean Erin? Known her most of my life. We went to school together, all through elementary and high school.”

  “Is she ... you know, single?” Ravi prodded.

  Trevor’s smile instantly vanished. Suddenly Ravi felt like he was talking to her older brother. “She’s a single mom,” he said flatly. “And trust me, dude, she’s no easy conquest. I think she’s permanently sworn off men.”

  Erin peeked over her shoulder again, this time catching Ravi’s eye. She tried to cover it up by waving at Trevor, but Ravi knew who she was really checking out. Apparently he hadn’t lost all his charm. A single mom might have some drawbacks, but Ravi had never been one to take the easy road.

  He grinned at Trevor. “What fun would it be if it was easy?”

  Then, stepping down from the barstool, he wished the proprietor a good evening before strutting out of the bar. Ravi had a long drive back to Pennsylvania and wouldn’t be back in town until the school year came to a close, but he had the feeling this wouldn’t be the last time he ran into Erin Conway.

  About the Author

  Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the editor of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. Her works include romantic thrillers, paranormal fiction, contemporary romance, and young adult.