Page 7 of The Immortal's One
“No, just visiting.” He steps back and sits down in his chair. “Here for the lobster and all that.”
“Really?” The winter months in Maine are brutal, and most seasonal shops and restaurants closed months ago. “This isn’t exactly tourist season.”
He shrugs. “I also have work to do.”
“Oh.” That makes more sense. “So, how do you like Brunswick?”
“I like it very much. The city has its charm.”
That’s an odd phrase for a guy who can’t be older than twenty-five. My phone vibrates in my lap before I can think about it more.
I look down and see a text from my dad that has me jumping to my feet.
“I’m so sorry.” I close the book and shove it into my canvas bag, along with the other books I plan to check out. “I’ve got to go.”
Thane stands as well, his lips curving down. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” I tuck my phone into the bag and sling the strap over my shoulder. “Just some family stuff. It was nice to meet you.”
“It was nice to meet you, too.” His voice is kind but tinged with curiosity. “Maybe I’ll see you around?”
“Yeah, maybe.” I offer a clumsy wave, shuffling sideways as I try to keep eye contact while inching away. “If not, I hope you enjoy the rest of your visit.”
“Thank you, Darcie. I hope so, too.” His gaze holds mine, lingering with an intensity that’s hard to place—a mix of something I can’t decipher. Curiosity? Recognition?
With a stiff nod and another quick wave, I turn and make a hasty exit toward the checkout counter.
Thane intrigued me. Part of me regrets not staying to talk longer, but I can’t figure out why.
Sure, he’s handsome, but I’ve never been the type to be drawn to someone just for their looks. And I wouldn’t say I wasdrawnto Thane, not in that way. Not romantically.
But his eyes… there was something about them. The green is striking, almost otherworldly, and it stirred up a faint, elusive memory I can’t quite place.
Maybe Thane was right. Maybe wehadmet before.
But the harder I try to remember, the more it slips away, like smoke through my fingers.
3
Music blares through the speakers.My head pounds in time with the quick beat. It’s so loud, I can barely think. Based on the way the rest of the club’s patrons are smiling, laughing, and dancing, I’m the only one who feels this way. It’s a fight to resist the urge to be lame and cover my ears.
I follow Kayla and Josh as they weave their way through the crowd, feeling the bass tickle my arm hair as we walk by a speaker next to the dancefloor.
Josh stops by a tall table with four stools. Instead of sitting, he props an elbow on the table and smiles at his girlfriend. A strand of brown hair falls over his forehead. “Want something to drink?”
Drink?
It’s on the tip of my tongue to protest when Kayla answers, “I’ll have a coke.”
“Okay.” Josh turns to me.
“I’ll have a coke, too.”
“You got it.” He taps the table once then turns and strides away.
“Isn’t this great?” Kayla leans close to shout into my ear as her eyes take in the sea of people on the dancefloor. “I’m glad the IDs worked.”
“Me, too.” The club’s bouncer barely looked at the fakes before letting us in.
