Page 19 of Keeping Skylar (Fractured Hearts #1)

Skylar

Tonight, I’m letting my hair down, refusing to let anything dampen my good mood. I’m on the verge of a new chapter—a fresh vision for my future—and what better way to celebrate than with my two favourite people?

I turn to my girls and raise my glass. “To fresh starts—filled with purpose, meaning, and growth.” We clink our glasses and take a long, satisfying sip of our mojitos.

“And new love!” Mila chimes in, wobbling slightly as she tries to steady herself on her chair. Four drinks in, and she’s well on her way to drunkville.

“Too soon, little sister. Too soon. I need to get all my ducks in a row first before I can think about dating again.”

“I can’t believe you’ll be back on the market again. You’ll have those Melbournian men eating out of the palm of your hands.” She winks, just as a loud hiccup bursts from her mouth, making her giggle.

“I completely agree with Mila, babe. Kaden’s loss is another man’s gain, and you, my darling, are a total catch! There’ll be men lining up for days,” Kirstin says proudly, clinking her glass with Mila’s in full agreement.

I shake my head, laughing at the absurdity of this conversation.

The truth is, the idea of putting myself out there again makes my chest tighten with anxiety.

It’s not that I’ve stopped believing in love—I don’t think I ever could.

But the thought of handing my heart to someone new, trusting them not to shatter it, feels terrifying.

I’m not sure I could survive another heartbreak.

“I think it’ll be a long time before I even consider dating again. Right now, I need to focus on getting through the separation and divorce ... and even after that, I’m not sure I’ll be ready.”

“What’s that saying they always mention? Love comes when you least expect it. Maybe that’ll be your case too,” Mila slurs.

“Maybe, but as I said before, I’m not going to think about dating for a long time.

” “Well, you know what I’ve been thinking?

” she says, cutting in before we can respond.

“I think it’s time I put myself back out there.

Being single for this long has gone from freeing to utterly boring.

I’m craving some fresh meat,” she adds with a sigh, nursing her cocktail.

“Mila, boredom is the worst excuse to start dating. Last thing you want is to settle for some douchebag,” I quip.

“Or a Kaden,” Kirstin slips out.

We all snap our heads towards Kirstin, who’s leisurely sipping her drink. She shrugs nonchalantly, and in the next moment, we all explode in laughter.

Two weeks ago, I might’ve taken offence to Kirstin’s remark—but now, I see it for what it is: the truth. And the truth is, Kaden’s the ultimate douchebag.

I’m just about to order us another round of cocktails when Jason suddenly appears behind the bar.

I was hoping to avoid him tonight—which is ridiculous, considering he owns the restaurant—but I’m still reeling from our last encounter, when he blatantly covered for Kaden’s lies.

And honestly, I don’t have it in me to act bitter and cold tonight. I’m in too good of a mood for that.

He spots us right away, his eyes zeroing on me.

Just before he walks over, I catch him taking a deep breath, like he’s mentally preparing himself—but for what?

He makes his way over to us and grins. “Fancy seeing you all back here. To what do I owe the pleasure?” he says, addressing no one in particular.

I feel Mila tense up beside me, her eyes wide and locked on Jason. When he catches her gawking, he winks, and her cheeks flush instantly as she quickly looks away. The whole exchange is just too amusing—like a scene out of a cheesy romantic comedy.

Kirstin is the first to break the awkward silence. “Just a girls’ night—and we couldn’t resist your cheap cocktails,” she says with a smirk.

Jason chuckles, then glances back at me. “Good to see you again, Skylar. How’ve you been? How’s Kaden?” he asks casually, as if he doesn’t already know what his best friend’s been up to.

I shrug. “I’m good. And as far as I know, Kaden’s good too.” My response is short, curt. I’m not in the mood to talk about my unfaithful husband—especially not with someone who’s been enabling his infidelity from the start.

Sensing my reluctance to elaborate more, he simply nods and asks if we’d like another round of cocktails. We all nod in response, watching as Jason expertly crafts our mouth-watering hibiscus mojitos.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Mila’s gaze fixed on him, utterly captivated as she watches him work his magic with rapt attention. She’s had a crush on Jason for years, and even now, she can’t help but swoon at the sight of him.

Once he’s finished, he slides the drinks over to our side of the bar, and I hand him my card.

He raises his hand to stop me and shakes his head. “On the house.” He winks again.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind paying.” Just then I feel a sharp sting on my arm as Kirstin slaps me. “Ow ...”

“Skylar, what the fuck are you doing? Free drinks,” she murmurs.

I chuckle, rubbing my sore arm, and offer Jason a grateful smile. “That’s kind of you. Thanks, Jase.”

“My pleasure. And since I’m feeling generous, all your drinks are on the house this evening,” he says with a genuine smile, just as Mila lets out a loud gasp.

Okay, so he’s definitely earning some serious brownie points tonight. But that doesn’t excuse the fact he hid the truth from me.

I glance over at the girls, and judging by the expressions on their faces, you’d think they just won the lottery.

Leaning forward, I raise my glass for another toast. “Here’s to you, Jase. An amazing father, a successful business owner, and a loyal friend.” We all clink our glasses, and Jason returns a warm smile. His slight flinch at the mention of being a loyal friend doesn’t escape me.

He finishes wiping over the counter and lets us know he’s done for the night. “I better head home, my sitter can only mind Jake until ten. It’s been difficult lately to find someone who can mind him until the bar closes.”

I snap my head towards Mila, and she flinches at my sudden movement, her eyes widening as she realises what I’m about to say. “Well, Jase, I happen to know the perfect babysitter.”

Jason’s whole face lights up. “Oh, yeah? Are they any good?” he asks.

Mila’s eyes plead with me as she subtly shakes her head. I can’t help but smirk at her. “I’ve heard she’s the best. She’s a uni student, so she’s free most evenings.”

Jason nods and smiles widely. “Okay, cool. What’s her contact? I’ll give her a call tomorrow.”

“No need. You can ask her right now.”

He frowns in confusion. “She’s here? Like now?” he asks as he surveys the room, like he actually knows what he’s looking for.

I smack my hand on Mila’s shoulder, making her jump on her seat. “She sure is. It’s my sister.” I grin and turn to Mila. “You’re free most nights, right?”

Mila shoots daggers at me with her eyes, while Kirstin snorts behind her hand, her shoulders bouncing with suppressed laughter.

“Umm ... Yeah, sure,” Mila stammers, her face turning a darker shade of pink.

Jason beams and takes his phone out from his back pocket.

“Well, that’s great. Here ...” He hands Mila his phone and she reluctantly takes it from him.

“Put in your number and I’ll give you a call tomorrow to discuss details,” he instructs my sister.

After Mila enters her number and hands Jason his phone back, he bids us good night and leaves the bar.

The moment he disappears Mila punches me hard on the arm.

“Ow, bitch!”

“What the hell, Skylar!” she barks, though the slight curl of her lips and the way she tries to fight back a grin show she’s not entirely mad at the idea.

“That was fuckin gold. You should’ve seen your face.” Kirstin roars with laughter. “Mila, I could see you drooling every time Jason spoke. Could you be any more obvious.”

“I was not,” she whines.

“Maybe this could be your shot at getting hot and heavy with ‘Big Daddy-O’,” Kirstin teases.

“Fuck you, both!” Mila hisses sarcastically.

“We love you too, baby sis.” I smack a loud wet kiss on her cheek and she shoves me off, almost making me fall off my chair.

We spend the next half hour finishing off our cocktails and talking about everything—but Kaden and Lucia.

I don’t even realise how tired I’ve become until I fight back a yawn. “Well ladies, I think I might head home. My sleezebag husband should be asleep by now, so I might squeeze in some online furniture shopping for the apartment.”

“Oh, poo! You’re no fun. We still have just over an hour before midnight strikes. Are you sure you can’t stay a little longer?” Kirstin pouts.

“I’d love to, but I really want to make a start tonight. I only have a limited time before I move into my new place, and I really don’t want to move in to an apartment with no furniture. Rain check?”

“Fine. But drinks are on you next time.” Kirstin smirks.

“Drinks are always on me, cheapskate.” I nudge her on the shoulder and she chuckles.

We all stand and head out of the bar together, gathering outside to wait for our Ubers to arrive.

As I sit in the backseat of the car, it finally hits me—just a week and a half from now, I’ll be moving to another city and into my new apartment, all on my own terms. Tonight, has been the happiest I’ve felt in weeks, and nothing can take that away.

Not Kaden. Not Lucia. Not their affair. Absolutely nothing.

I arrive home an hour earlier than expected, still buzzing from the night’s excitement. This week has left me with a renewed sense of energy and hope for what’s ahead. It feels like nothing could shake my joy or ruin my good mood at this point.

I’m just about to close the front door when I catch a glimpse of Lucia’s silver sedan parked across the street. My breath catches, and in an instant, a cold wave of anxiety swirls through me. My fingers freeze on the doorknob, dreading what I might find waiting inside.