Page 8 of The Immortal's One
“I just wish it could be only us tonight,” Kayla blurts out of the blue.
My forehead furrows. “What?”
She sighs. “Josh has been a little…suffocatinglately. It would be nice to have a girl’s night out, you know?”
“But weren’t you two planning on coming here before you even invited me?”
“Yeah, I guess so.” She turns to resume looking out at the crowd. “I think I’d just have more fun alone.” She ends the words with a smile.
I follow her gaze and see a cute stranger in a red polo smiling back at her.
Okay… I see where this is going.
“Why don’t you just put Josh out of his misery?” I draw my friend’s attention back to me. “You obviously want to break up with him.”
I’ve known Kayla for years. I recognize the signs that she’s done with a relationship. But she’s never been the type of person to string someone along once she’s made that decision.
“I know.” Her shoulders fall. “You’re right. I feel like a jerk, but I don’t know how to end it. He’s so great. I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”
“I think a simple, ‘we’re over’ would suffice.”
“You don’t get it,” she says. “You’ve never broken up with a guy before. It’s not so easy.”
She refrains from saying I’ve never even had a boyfriend, but I know she’s thinking it.
I try not to take offense. “Maybe not, but it’s better than delaying the inevitable.”
She hums a noncommittal noise and continues to scan the crowd around us.
Just as the thumping music playing over the speakers lulls for a song transition, a deep voice vibrates against my ear with an unexpected greeting.
“Darcie,” my name on unfamiliar lips makes my pulse quicken. “Nice to see you again.”
Who would possibly recognize mehere?
I whirl around, and shock zips through me when my eyes land on the tall, broad-shouldered man who definitely shouldnotbe here. “Thane?”
His lips curve into a charming smile as he straightens, illuminated by the colorful strobe lights flashing around the club. “Fancy seeing you here.”
From the corner of my eye, Kayla gapes at me before her head snaps back in his direction.
“Yeah…” I fumble for a response. “What are the odds?”
Under different circumstances, I’d be wary of running into a stranger so soon after we first met. I might even wonder if he was following me. But Maine isn’t exactly bustling with people. Brunswick has no clubs, and the few bars that do exist close by ten. Anyone looking for a night out has to head to a nearby city, and Portland is the closest option.
Kayla’s stare burns the side of my face. I clear my throat and motion towards her. “This is my best friend, Kayla. Kayla, this is Thane.”
Thane holds out his hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Kayla.”
“N-nice to meet you.” My friend’s lips part when Thane dips down and quickly kisses her knuckles.
I’d say the gesture was meant to be flirtatious, except Thane straightens and pulls his hand back quickly. If I didn’t know better, I’d almost think that’s how he’s used to greeting women.
Maybe he went to a fancy prep school or something.
Thane’s perfectly tailored clothes and flawless good looks make him look like he could be a member of the one percent.
“Allow me to introduce my brother.” Thane steps to the side, revealing that he isn’t alone. “Des.” He raises his voice to be heard over the music, now blaring at full volume again. “This is Darcie.”
