Page 11 of The Immortal’s One (Bound to the Immortals #1)

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 determined not to 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 kind eyes 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?”

“I loved it.” The memory of Greece’s beauty fills my mind. I sigh. “I hope to go back one day.”

Despite missing my hometown, the Mediterranean had a calm, timeless feel—a stillness that settled deep inside me. It felt like a place I could live in, maybe even call home for a while. I really do plan to go back, even if it’s just for the chance to have a real vacation.

“Is that so?” Lome’s eyes flick to Thane with a look I can’t decipher. It’s quick, almost imperceptible, but it doesn’t escape me.

“So, Darcie?” Lome continues, pausing to take a sip of his medium roast coffee. “Are you in college?”

The question stirs up depressive thoughts I fight to shove down. "No, not right now, but I hope to enroll next fall.”

“Any idea where you want to go?”

I buy myself a few precious seconds by sipping my drink, only to fight the urge to spit it back into the cup when the piping-hot liquid hits my tongue.

Like father, like daughter.

I swish the coffee around my mouth, forcing the liquid down, then say, “I’m applying to a few places, but I’m not committed to any of them.” I’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of each acceptance letter when they arrive, factoring in Dad’s health into every decision.

“How old are you?” Thane asks.

I blink.

That was abrupt.

“Twenty.” My eyes narrow as I look from one brother to the other.

The two share another loaded look. Thane hums. “Interesting.”

I frown. “How old are you?” The question slips out before I think twice, my voice a little sharper than I intend.

“Older than I look.” Thane drinks his macchiato, his tone casual, seemingly unaware of how rude his evasive answer is, especially after just asking me the same thing.

I’m not usually confrontational. In fact, I’m the type of person who avoids conflict at all costs. But I find myself oddly comfortable calling these two out for some reason.

“Okay…” Frustration creeps into my voice. “This might sound crazy, but am I missing something?”

Thane lifts a brow. “What do you mean?”

I’m not sure why, but there’s something about them—a sense of familiarity—that doesn’t make sense.

When I don’t speak, the brothers exchange another look. My intuition screams that I’m onto something.

Thane rubs a hand over his face and sighs. “Darcie… this might sound strange, but Lome and I think you’re?—”

Before he can finish, someone calls my name from behind.

I whip around, and my heart does a little flip. “Kevin?”

My childhood crush’s grin widens as he gets closer. “I thought that was you.”

I drink him in. Kevin wears a backward baseball cap and a tight white t-shirt that makes him look like the high school baseball star he once was. Even though he’s no longer playing, his body is still in fantastic shape.

He stops at the edge of our booth, and his warm brown eyes lock on mine as if I’m the only person in the room. “What are you doing here? I thought you were meeting me and Kayla for brunch.”

“I was—I am. I’m just having coffee first.” I gesture to my cup. Then, suddenly self-conscious, I ask, “What are you doing here?”

“Grabbing some of Mom’s favorite dark roast beans,” he says with that easy grin I’ve grown to love. “Dad used the last of the bag this morning.”

I sigh. He’s so thoughtful.

Turning to the men across from me, Kevin extends a hand. “Hi, I’m Kevin.”

Neither man moves for an uncomfortable length of time. Then, Thane finally takes Kevin’s hand. “I’m Thane. This is Lome.”

Lome dips his head but doesn’t reach out to shake Kevin’s hand.

That’s a little rude.

Hoping to ease the awkwardness caused by the brothers’ less-than-polite greetings, I say, “Thane and Lome are visiting from Europe.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I frown, a strange realization creeping in.

How do I know they’re from Europe?

Did they tell me?

I don’t remember them mentioning it…

“Europe?” Kevin rocks back on his heels, looking between the two of them. “Were you guys in Greece with Darcie?”

“No, I?—”

“Yes, we were,” Thane interrupts me, his eyes sharp. “But we didn’t have the pleasure of meeting her until recently.”

“Oh.” Kevin nods. “What a cool coincidence.”

Thane presses his lips together. “Indeed.”

Silence descends over the table.

I check the time on my phone, then clear my throat and slide to the edge of the booth. “Sorry, guys, but I need to get going.”

It’s ten-fifteen. Kayla will kill me if I’m late for brunch.

Kevin steps back to give me room to step out of the booth.

“Sorry to hear that,” Thane says, standing and stepping aside for Lome, who follows suit. “It was nice chatting with you, Darcie. I hope you feel better after this morning.”

Lome murmurs his agreement.

I look up at the two tall, broad men standing in front of me and offer a genuine smile.

“Thank you.” Our conversation, while brief, was the distraction I’d been looking for after talking to Dad this morning. I only thought about his cancer once. I’d call that a win. “I hope you two enjoy the rest of your time in Brunswick.”

“I’m sure we will.” Thane dips his chin.

Lome smiles.

I turn to Kevin, but he’s at the register, buying the bag of beans for his mom. I walk over just as he finishes paying.

“Come on.” He holds the door open for me. “Let’s walk to Brick Cottage together.”

I wrinkle my nose. “But it’s cold outside.”

Kevin smirks. “Brick Cottage is only three blocks away. Don’t tell me you’ve gone soft and can’t handle a little snow after living in Greece?”

I bite back a smile. “I can handle it.”

“That’s my girl.”

Butterflies flutter in my stomach. I ignore them and turn to give Thane and Lome one last wave before stepping out of the café, choosing not to question the displeased scowls etched on both their faces as they watch me go.

Downtown Brunswick always radiates small-town charm, but today is magical. Glistening snow blankets the rooftops of the shops lining Main Street. Antique streetlights cast a soft glow over the gray morning, and a delicate dusting of white blankets every stationary surface.

I inhale deeply, the crisp air filling my lungs. The winter scene surrounds me, bringing a sense of peace, like the world has slowed down just enough to let me catch my breath.

Kevin and I walk in comfortable silence until we reach the first cross street.

“So…” He tucks his hands into his jacket pockets while we wait for the car at the stop sign to turn right. “How does it feel to be back in Maine?”

“Good. It’s nice to be home.” I refrain from complaining about the boredom that’s started to occupy most of my days. Or my lack of direction. Or Dad’s illness.

Kevin is two years older than me. We were close as kids, but our interests naturally diverged when we became teenagers. He dove into sports while I kept my nose in books. My unrequited, silly crush developed around the same time.

So, while I still consider Kevin a friend, we’re not close enough for me to complain or unload all my troubles on him the first time we hang out.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean Kevin doesn’t notice.

“But?” He nudges my shoulder with his. “I can tell there’s something you aren’t saying.”

I hesitantly admit, “I’m bored.” The car in front of us turns, and the next driver waves at us. Kevin and I raise our hands in a show of appreciation before hurrying across the street.

Kevin waits until we’re back on the sidewalk to say, “That’s not surprising. You never could sit still for long.”

“What?” I laugh. “That’s not true.”

“Please.” Kevin nudges me again. “Do you remember how many times my Saturday morning cartoons were interrupted because someone insisted we play outside?”

I laugh again, the warmth of the memory mixing with a sense of longing. “I still don’t like being stuck indoors.”

However, now that I’m an adult, I’m better at handling the suffocating feeling that comes from being trapped inside on nasty winter days. Much to my dad’s relief, I’m sure.

“I know.” The corner of his mouth curls. “I remember.”

I don’t know what to make of the way he’s looking at me.

I bite my lip and turn my eyes forward, avoiding his stare as heat crawls up my neck. “H-how’s school? Are you ready for your last semester?”

“Yeah.” Kevin runs a hand through his hair. “I’ll miss it, but I’m looking forward to not taking a test for the rest of my life.” He chuckles softly, and I can’t help but smile in return.

“What about you?” he asks. “Kayla said you were applying to schools.”

My smile falters. “Yeah. Or… at least, I’m planning to. ”

“Are you going to start this spring?”

“No.”

“Why not?”