Page 133 of Stardusted

And I’d somehow crash-landed right smack in the middle of it.

Chapter 31

FIRST ANNUAL TAKE YOUR ALIEN TO SCHOOL DAY

Luckily, work was hectic enough that, for a few short hours, I was able to forget it all.

Sky had yet to return from his apartment, but I knew he would. He’d made it clear he didn’t want me out of his sight. We were stuck together. At least until we could come up with a better plan.

I found myself glancing at the door, searching for him, more times than I wanted to admit. I told myself it was out of self-preservation.Notanticipation.

The brunch rush hit the fast-forward button on the morning, and by the time I checked my phone during a lull, I was nearly through my shift. Which meant it was nearly time for my communications midterm.

I grimaced. I’d managed to cram last night, but I didn’t feel remotely ready. I’d been slacking this past week. Schoolwork had taken a serious backseat to all therunning for my lifeI’d been doing lately.

I swiped a tip off my empty table and grabbed the dishes to help the busboy, Adam. When I turned, I caught sight of the tall figure perched at the bar. I stopped short. My insides fluttered.

I would’ve recognized those shoulders anywhere. Sky was finally back. Absorbed in his phone at the moment, but there he was, leaning on one of the high-top stools, hip braced on the bar counter.

His hair was still damp and curling from beneath a black ball cap, and he wore a matching long-sleeved shirt and dark jeans. The combination wasn’t helping the sudden heat flooding my face. He looked long and lean, and the pang of attraction hit me square in the middle.

I tightened my grip on the dishes.

Ashley, the afternoon’s bartender, approached him, and he looked up and pocketed his phone. My mouth went dry as he leaned over the bar, pointing at something behind the counter, one boot propped on the footrail, those jeans pulling tight over the world’s best ass. Or maybe it was the galaxy’s, considering.

I tore my attention from his backside when Ashley nodded. He offered her that polite, professional smile before tapping the counter and straightening, turning?—

His eyes snagged mine. Where I stood in the middle of the dining room, practically gaping at him. I was so busted.

His faint smile faded to something more intent as he pushed off the stool and moved toward me in easy, long-legged strides.

Realizing I was still gazing stupidly at him, I bobbled my load of plates and hurried toward the kitchen.He veered into an intercept course and cut me off halfway there.

“Almost done?” he asked, already pushing up his sleeves. He reached over and relieved me of most of the plates before we made it to the swinging door.

“You don’t have to…” I trailed off when he gave me a look and fell into step beside me. “Thank you,” I mumbled instead, clutching the trio of glasses and lone chip basket he’d left me with.

Well, this was it. If Kelly hadn’t already spread it everywhere, people were going to notice that he wasn’t on shift and clearly here with me. Helping me carry dishes. We’d shown up together and were getting ready to leave that way, too.

If I wasn’t careful, people were going to get the idea we were more than friends.

We passed Emily at the server station. She’d frozen halfway through tying her apron and watched us pass, clearly stunned. Her wide eyes shone with disbelief behind her glasses.

I flushed. Okay,thatwas a bit much. Wasn’t it truly so far-fetched that Sky might actually be interested in me?

I wasn’t sure whether to feel validated, considering that’d also beenmyreaction…or insulted.

Maybe both.

Oblivious to the looks we were getting, Sky pushed open the kitchen door and held it for me with his shoulder. “You ready to go?”

Once I’d slipped through, we deposited the various dishes where they went.

“Almost,” I told him, wiping my sweaty hands on my apron. “Give me a couple minutes.”

“Okay. I’ll be at the bar,” he said, glancing around us at the suspiciously quiet kitchen. Tony was staring at us, but when Sky noticed him, he quickly looked away. Sky frowned a little and turned back to me. “Come find me when you’re done, and we’ll head out.”

“Sure.” I went to work stacking my chip basket while he left through the swinging doors.