Page 6 of The Immortal's One
You’d think after all this time, I wouldn’t be so affected by a simple conversation with Kevin. But that’s the thing. My feelings haven’t diminished one bit over the years. If anything, they’ve only gotten stronger as he’s grown into a confident, driven, and undeniably good-looking guy.
I never told Kevin how I felt. I didn’t want to risk our friendship by making things awkward, and I held onto that decision like a lifeline. Not even Kayla knew—until the day everything changed—when I found out Kevin had invited Hannah Hastings to his senior homecoming.
Even now, I still can’t explain what happened. Kevin had dated other girls before, and I’d been fine. But sitting in my homeroom, hearing one of Hannah’s fellow cheerleaders gossip about Kevin’s big promposal, something inside me just… shattered.
It wasn’t just jealousy. It felt like the last thread of control over my emotions snapped, and everything rushed to the surface. That was when I finally confessed it all to Kayla, needing to spill the secret I’d buried for so long. I couldn’t keep pretending anymore. I was heartbroken, and I had to let someone know.
Yeah, big mistake.
I’ll never forget Kayla’s face when she found out I had a crush on her brother: pure disgust. And then, of course, the teasing started. It didn’t stop for weeks. She’s better now that we’re older, but back then? It was brutal.
“Trouble in paradise?”
My eyes lift from the book in my hands. The stranger in the other chair watches me. “Excuse me?”
He gestures to my phone, now resting in my lap. “Thephone call. You seemed excited at first, but your body language shifted toward the end.”
So much for thinking he wasn’t paying attention…
“That usually means there is trouble in paradise,” he finishes.
“No.” I shake my head. “There’s no trouble in paradise. That was just a friend.”
“Good.”
I lift an eyebrow. “Good?”
"Good to hear you're not having trouble in paradise." He grins, flashing a smile so bright it could light up a room; one of those smiles that would have most women weak in the knees. Unfortunately, only Kevin’s ever managed to get that kind of reaction out of me.
Still, I can’t deny the guy in front of me is undeniably attractive. He’s easily one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen.
I’m not sure how to respond, so I give an awkward shrug and turn back to the book in my hands.
“You look familiar.” Once again, his words pull me away from my futile attempts to read the page in front of me. “Have we met before?”
“I don’t think so.” There’s no way I’d forget a guy who looks likethat.
“How strange.” His gaze deepens as he continues to study me, an almost contemplative look on his face.
I fight the urge to fidget.
“I’m Thane.” He stands up, steps forward, and leans over the low table between us, extending his hand with a smile. “Nice to meet you.”
I blink, then scoot to the edge of my seat, leaning forward to shake his hand. “I’m Darcie.”
“Darcie? That’s an interesting name.”
Not as interesting as yours.
“My mom had a thing for Mr. Darcy,” I find myself explaining. “She wouldn’t let me being a girl stop her from naming me after him.”
Thane laughs. “Well, good for her. I think Darcie is a lovely name. Very unique.”
“Thanks.” He might be ridiculously good-looking, but talking to him is surprisingly easy.
“Are you new in town?” I ask the question even though I’m confident I already know the answer.
I may have been away for a couple of years, but Brunswick is a small place. Kayla would have mentioned if someone as striking as the man in front of me had moved here while I was gone.
