Page 31 of The Immortal's One
“Everything’s fine.” I wipe my cheeks with the back of my hand. “It’s just been a tough morning.”
“I get that.” He clears his throat and shifts his feet.
Eager to get this conversation over with, I ask, “Was there something you needed?”
“Yes.” He gestures toward the man standing by a sedan a few spaces away. “Our phones died. We were hoping to ask for directions back into town, but now I’m more concerned about what’s got you so upset.”
His concern seems sincere, and I can’t help but soften a little. “I’m fine, really.”
“You don’t look fine.” His eyes search mine. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Not unless you can cure cancer.” I force out a weak laugh that cracks under the weight of my emotion. “Sorry. That was… dumb.”
His gaze softens, and he hesitates before speaking again. “I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you come get coffee with us?”
I blink, eyes wide. “Oh… um… I-I don’t know.”
“Come on.” He leans forward, his demeanor warm and inviting. “We’re heading to the Bean Bazaar. Do you know it?”
“Yeah.” The Bean Bazaar is the most popular coffee shop in town. Their imported coffee beans are to die for. “I know it.”
“Perfect.” Thane flashes a grin. “Would you mind if we followed you there? That way, we don’t need directions.”
He says it like the plan is already made, and I find myself unable to resist. I don’t want to sit here alone, wallowing in my sadness while I wait to meet Kayla and Kevin for brunch.
Kevin.
I need to shake the depressive thoughts weighing me down. I’ve been looking forward to seeing him for ages. Maybe coffee and conversation will help.
“Sure. That works.”
“Great!” Thane spins around and walks back to his friend, calling over his shoulder, “See you there!”
And just like that, I find myself driving to have coffee with a man I barely know and another I’ve never met.
Yet I can’t shake the nagging feeling that something about that thought isn’t true…
10
Thane's "friend"is actually his brother, and I can already tell the guy’s a shameless flirt.
The poor barista who took our orders hasn’t stopped staring since Lome turned his warm eyes on her, admiring the Celtic tattoo on her wrist.
Meanwhile, the other barista who delivered our drinks still blushes from Lome's compliment on her curly hair.
I’m the only woman in here Lome seems determinednotto flirt with.
Since Thane introduced us in the parking lot of the coffee shop, Lome has been friendly but not over the top. Our conversation thus far has been genuine. Easy. Much easier than I would’ve expected with a complete stranger.
“Did I tell you Darcie recently returned from a trip to Greece?” Thane looks at his brother, pouring a pink packet of low-calorie sweetener into his coffee cup.
“No, you didn’t.” Lome tears his gaze off the pretty barista batting her eyelashes his way and focuses his kindeyes on me. “What took you to Greece? Were you on holiday?”
The conversation catches me off guard. I can’t recall every detail of meeting Thane in the library. Did I mention my trip? I don’t think I did. But I must have. I have a lot on my mind these days. It wouldn’t be unusual to forget things.
“I was with my dad,” I say. “He’s a professor and spent the last two years researching at universities in the area.”
“Interesting.” Lome’s gaze sharpens, his interest piqued. “Did you enjoy your time there?”
