Chapter 2
Skylar Hemlock stared at the words, her thumb brushing over the edge of the page, tempting her to reveal the next chapter.
She glanced at the black cat clock on the wall, its curly tail wagging back and forth.
Five o’clock. She’d promised to meet friends for a drink at seven.
What was I thinking? She sighed. It’s a short chapter.
You already know what you’re wearing. Just one more page.
“Nope. There’s not enough time to enjoy it.
” She yawned and set the paperback onto her night table.
Skylar rolled back into her bed and stared up at the blue celestial lights on her ceiling.
Her body ached with exhaustion. Between working at her bookstore and packing up her apartment, she’d been burning it at both ends. “Ugh, why did I agree to go?”
Skylar closed her eyes, her mind racing, dreaming of her upcoming adventure.
In a few days, she’d be in Los Angeles, working on a studio lot, living her dream of being on a prime-time TV show.
For now, she was Police Officer Two, but the casting director really liked her and had hinted she might have a shot at a permanent role.
She’d taken bit parts in New Orleans here and there, but this was her big opportunity to make a living as an actor.
Though she loved her hometown, Seattle, she’d grown far too fond of the Big Easy to move back home after college.
Drawn to its whimsy, she’d opened a small bookstore in Marigny.
The bookshop, Verses, played to the supernatural vibe of the city, filled with a mix of her favorite romantasy and paranormal romances, including a well curated selection of books dedicated to New Orleans haunted history.
They sold celestial themed trinkets & jewelry as well as bookish mugs & totes.
Decorated with multicolored mini-lights and a few unique paintings done by local artists, it welcomed readers.
It was small but it was all hers. It turned a profit allowing her to focus on her acting, go on auditions and take the occasional day off for filming. It had been the perfect life.
Unlike her romance novels, Skylar’s love life didn’t have a happily ever after. Though she’d ditched the dating apps years ago, she hoped to have a new shot at love in Los Angeles. With a sea of new fish, she’d rally eventually, maybe start dating once she got settled on the show.
But tonight, she’d shove all the thoughts of the future aside and spend some quality girl time with her besties. Three more weeks, and she’d be miles away from New Orleans. Goodbye delicious beignets, hello Hollywood.
Skylar stepped inside her favorite local watering hole.
The trumpet solo sang through the buzz of the crowd, the vibrant vibe of Frenchmen Street resonating in the air.
Her stomach growled as she passed a server carrying a plate of steaming crawfish.
She reminded herself to eat before she drank or she’d end up regretting it later.
“Over here,” she heard a familiar voice call out to her.
A smile broke across Skylar’s face as she caught sight of her friend Hailey’s newly dyed rainbow-colored hair.
A free spirit, Hailey grew microgreens and had cultivated a decent business over the past year, selling them to local restaurants.
Her other close friend, Eva, a lawyer, still wearing her business suit, waved.
“Hey girl! Oh my God, I love your hair.” Skylar wrapped her arms around her energetic friend and hugged her.
“Aw, thanks. Yeah, I think it’s fun. We’ll see how long I keep it.”
“It’s definitely you.” Skylar turned to Eva and reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze. “I’m so excited for you. How’s life at the DA office?”
“It’s great. I’m so happy the bar exam is done and passed.” She pumped both her palms up in the air.
“I’m so proud of you. It’s awesome!”
“Come sit down. We just ordered some deviled eggs and crab dip.”
“Fries too.” Hailey slid into the booth.
“I’m gonna miss you guys.” Her smile faded.
“Don’t leave,” Hailey pleaded briefly, leaning her head on Skylar’s shoulder.
“I promise I’ll be back.”
Eva’s eyes lit up. “We’ll come visit you. Hit the beach. Do some hiking.”
“I would love to have you guys come visit. I rented a place for six months.”
“Near the beach?” Hailey asked.
“No, sadly. But I’m closer to the studio where we’re shooting so I’m not in traffic all day.”
“You got a gun, girl?” Eva asked with her lips still on the edge of her glass. “Not joking.”
“I’ll be okay. You guys need to stop worrying about me.” Skylar had her own concerns about safety on a regular basis. Though she knew how to use a gun, she hadn’t planned on bringing one with her to California.
“There’re plenty of good acting jobs here in NOLA.” Eva attempted to get the attention of a passing waiter who winked at her but carried on with his tray full of drinks to the next table.
“I know there are, but this could be my big break.”
“She’s not a police officer but she plays one on TV,” Hailey teased.
“Exactly. So, she should bring the gun,” Eva insisted.
“You’ll be seeing me next season on Murder, Money & Mystery. Hopefully.” Skylar sighed, seeds of doubt creeping into her thoughts. “I have to give it a shot. I mean it’s not every day you get to be on the same set as Ty Redding.”
“He’s so hot,” Hailey exclaimed. “I think I’d stop speaking right there if I saw him.”
“The only speaking I’ll be doing is my lines.”
“Maybe you’ll get a love scene,” Eva suggested with a devious smile.
“I’m Police Officer number two. I’m pretty sure I’ll be standing over corpses. But hey, whatever pays the bills.”
“Really?” Hailey laughed.
“So far, my lines are, ‘We found him over here.’ And ‘We didn’t find a wallet.’”
“Are you serious?”
“Dead ass,” Skylar laughed. “It’s all good.
My agent said they really liked me and you never know.
” She shrugged. “I’ve been promised five episodes.
I plan on giving it a go for six months, and if it doesn’t work out, it is what it is.
I’ve got Taylor managing the bookstore for me.
My house is rented for a few months, so I’ve got that taken care of. ”
“I’m still gonna miss you.” Hailey pouted.
A perky waitress holding a tray set a menu on the table. “What can I get you guys?”
Eva raised her hand. “Another martini.”
“Two lemon drops please.” Hailey smiled. “One for me and one for my soon-to-be-famous friend.”
“Anything else?”
“Gumbo, please. Bread,” Skylar replied, remembering her no drinking before eating rule.
“Be right out with your appetizers.” She scooped up the menu and disappeared back to the kitchen.
“All right then. Tonight we celebrate. To Eva’s permanent job at the DA and Skylar’s new gig! And to me…I have a new client I just picked up, so to us!” Hailey beamed as she raised her glass.
“To us!” Eva echoed.
“Just a few drinks. I can’t stay out too late,” Skylar insisted. “My mom always said that nothing good happens after midnight.”
“Aw honey, she’s never been to New Orleans.” Hailey winked at her.
Skylar glanced at her phone. Twelve-thirty.
The energy in the room soared as the drummer banged out a solo while the other band members tossed beads out into the audience.
Skylar waved to Hailey, out on the dance floor, surrounded by strangers.
She raised her glass to her and took one last sip of her cocktail.
“Come dance!” Eva called out to her as she bopped past the table after returning from the restroom.
“Coming!” The audience erupted in applause as the eighties rock band closed another number. Skylar flung her crossbody purse over her head and shimmied out of the booth.
Across the crowded room, she noticed a large group of groomsmen dressed in tuxedos laughing with bridesmaids dressed in matching lavender gowns.
For just a second, a pang of jealousy stabbed at her, a flash of sadness at the thought of whether she’d ever date someone again, let alone get married.
Skylar brushed the negative thoughts to the back of her mind, reality reminding her of her goals.
Dating would only make leaving New Orleans all that much harder.
Stop killing the vibe, girl, and have fun, her inner voice told her.
She waved to Hailey and Eva and stepped toward the dance floor.
“Oh shit.” She’d forgotten to snatch her credit card off the silver tray after she’d paid her tab.
As she reached it, the plastic slipped between her fingers and went flying.
Like an evasive hummingbird, the little silver card launched into the air in a majestic arch before descending into a group of people near the bar and tumbled down onto the floor unnoticed.
Skylar rushed over to the bar, squeezing in between a sea of patrons.
She bent over, searching for her card in the darkness among strangers’ feet.
The putrid scent of stale beer wafted into her nostrils and she held her breath.
As Skylar attempted to stand up straight to get a fresh breath of air, her head bumped into a muscular denim-covered thigh.
“Ah geez, sorry.” Her cheeks immediately flushed red with embarrassment not knowing who she’d inadvertently touched.
“You need help?” A deep smooth voice asked.
Skylar’s mouth gaped open as she raised her gaze to meet his. With brown, wavy hair that fell to his shoulders and piercing dark eyes, the attractive stranger towered above her.
“No, no I’m okay, kind of…” Skylar backed up several steps and fumbled for her words. “I was just looking for my card. Sorry.”
Without another word, he glanced to his feet, bent over and swiftly returned upright, pinching a plastic card between his fingers.
“Oh my God. Thank you.” Instantly attracted to the mysterious savior, her heart pounded in her chest. What is happening?