Skylar (The Love Family Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

still in place. A smile split her lips. Luke looked up from the last fight with his tie and met her gaze. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest, and she silently wondered if he was nervous too.
    “This is crazy,” she whispered to herself as he stepped out of the sliding doors.
    “It’s too late to escape. You might as well eat,” he said in jest as he approached and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful.”
    Her cheeks heated in response. “Remind me why I agreed to this.”
    He held out his arm for her to take. “Because it’s my birthday.”
    She wrapped her palm around his bicep. “Is that what you think?”
    “Well, I was hoping it was because you wanted to spend time with me.” He flashed a flirty smile, making her legs weak.
    They walked into the five-star restaurant and were ushered to their table.
    “Benjamin will be your server tonight. Enjoy,” the woman said before leaving them to sit.
    Luke pulled out her chair, waiting for her to sit before taking his own.
    “Bonjour,” Benjamin said in way of greeting until he spotted Skylar. “Hey Sky, you guys are a few minutes early.” 
    “You can drop the charade; I know you’re not French.”
    “Shh. Don’t say that so loud.” He put his finger to his lips, glancing at the other patrons to see who might have heard. “The customers don’t know that. The bartender made you two of your favorites when he saw your name on the reservation list.”
    “Blue Hurricanes?” She smiled and glanced at the bar. Her favorite bartender was serving a tourist. His unique energy was a dingy gray. She’d never seen another like it.
    “Is that okay, Sky?” Luke asked.
    She jerked her gaze back. “Of course, we’ll start with those. Luke needs it to calm his nerves.” She winked and grinned.
    “They’re waiting at the bar. I’ll just go get them while you two decide on what to eat.”
    Benji was just handing them menus when a blonde woman in a designer black dress strolled by with extra emphasis on the swing of her hips.
    “Thank you, Benjamin.” Luke scanned the menu before laying it on the table. 
    “You can’t possibly know what you want to eat.”
    “Are you kidding? Of course I do.” He turned his gaze toward the kitchen. “Your father taught those guys to cook, and I know his specialty is anything grilled or smoked, so my obvious choice is the porterhouse steak.”
    She opened her menu and was debating her choices when the same blonde woman that had walked by before stopped at their table.
    “Luke. What a pleasant surprise.” Her voice was silky and laced with suggestion.
    “Amanda,” Luke answered with irritation. “What are you doing here?”
    “I thought you’d be happy to see me.”
    “Stalking doesn’t become you, Amanda.”
    Amanda’s lips parted.
    “There’s nothing left to say.” Luke placed his napkin on the table and rose.
    “Because of her?” Amanda glared down her nose at Skylar. The puke yellow energy that surrounded her looked sick and dull. “She’s not even in your class. You belong with someone like me.”
    “Skylar has more class in her little pinky than you’ll ever have.”
    Amanda waved off his words. “When you come to your senses, I’m staying in suite 504.”
    Benjamin returned, carrying a serving tray with two glasses of blue liquor.  Before Benjamin could place them on the table, Ryan, Skylar’s ex-boyfriend, stumbled over to the table and careened into Amanda, knocking Benjamin off balance. The impact sent both glasses of drinks flying into Skylar’s direction. Her fight-or-flight reflexes were stunned into slow motion. She tried to stand to get out of the way but wasn’t quick enough. The liquid splashed, drenching Skylar’s top.
    “Oh, Sky.” Luke grabbed his napkin and rounded the table.
    “You stupid ass,” Amanda growled at Ryan. His bloodshot eyes drifted unfocused around the room.
    She’d expected chills from the cold liquid, but it had the opposite effect. The liquid wasn’t