4. Selene
4
Selene
T he sun sits high in the sapphire sky as I adjust the straps on Valkyrie’s harness. She wags her tail nub eagerly, her excitement practically vibrating through her sleek frame. I can’t help but smile—her enthusiasm is always infectious. And honestly, the idea of spending the day exploring a new trail has its appeal. Fresh air, quiet surroundings, and time to decompress after the whirlwind of finishing my latest project for Umbra? Yeah, I need this. A reset. A chance to breathe.
“Ready, girl?” I ask, clipping the leash to her harness.
She barks in response, bounding forward with the confidence of a creature who has no doubts about where she wants to be. Lucky her.
We leave the house and drive into town, the trail head begins just past the coffee shop so I parallel park in a spot where I can see in the front windows of the cafe. Not that I’m looking for anyone in particular. That would be ridiculous. A coincidence at best.
Nope.
That’d be a little too stalkerish.
I unbuckle my seatbelt and exhale slowly. It’s fine. It’s just a cafe. Just a window. Just a guy.
I tell myself I won’t look
Sighing, I grab my backpack with my supplies and crawl out of the front seat of my Subaru. Valkyrie tramples close behind. After clipping her harness to the leash, I head toward the sidewalk.
I tell myself I won’t look.
Okay, I looked.
My gaze flicks toward the window. The cafe is empty in the front. Nothing .
Disappointing… not that I care.
Before I can contemplate going in, Valkyrie yips at me. ‘Get a move on,’ I can hear her say. She’s right. We have places to be.
Valkyrie does not play when it comes to walks. Especially when she gets to go off-leash in nature.
We walk past the trail map into the winding trail. I love walking through the grove of aspen trees, their leaves shimmering like tiny coins in the sunlight, the earthy scent of pine mixed with the faint sweetness of wildflowers as we climb higher, the forest canopy offering a cool refuge from the sun’s heat.
Valkyrie leads the way, occasionally pausing to sniff at a scent that catches her attention or look back at me, her sleek red fur reflecting the dappled light. I let her set the pace, enjoying the rhythmic crunch of our footsteps on the gravel path and the occasional birdsong echoing through the trees.
The path eventually opens up to a clearing, revealing a lake that looks almost too perfect to be real. Its surface is smooth and reflective, like a giant mirror capturing the deep greens of the surrounding pines and the bright blue sky above. A gentle breeze sends ripples across the water, and the sound of wind rustling through the trees is soothing, like nature’s version of white noise.
I inhale deeply, letting the calmness settle over me. For the first time in a while, I feel like I can exhale. It’s moments like these that make the move to Shadow Grove feel like the right choice.
“What do you think, girl?” I ask, unclipping her leash.
She yips in response as she takes off toward the water, her paws kicking up dirt as she barrels into the shallows. She barks with excitement as she splashes around like a puppy, I can’t help but laugh. Her joy is contagious.
Then, a voice—smooth, familiar, and entirely too amused—cuts through the quiet.
“Careful, don’t get too close; she might drag you if you have anything shiny.”
That voice. I recognize it before I even turn. My stomach betrays me with a ridiculous little flip.
I turn toward the sound, masking my reaction as best I can. Theo walks toward me from the opening in the trees that looks like it leads to another trail across the clearing, his dark hair slightly tousled, a smirk playing at his lips. He’s dressed casually—hiking boots, a fitted Henley that clings a little too well to his frame, sleeves pushed up to reveal strong forearms. He looks effortless. At ease. Like he’s a person who belongs anywhere he decides to be.
Annoying.
“Hi, it’s you,” I say, pushing a stray hair from my face, trying to look casual.
Our eyes meet, and suddenly, looking casual feels impossible. It’s the way he’s staring at me—open, warm like he’s genuinely happy to see me. It’s disarming. Dangerous.
His smirk deepens as he approaches. I swear he enjoys throwing me off balance.
“You sound disappointed,” he teases.
I arch a brow, refusing to fall into whatever little trap he’s setting. “Just surprised,” I counter, crossing my arms. “Didn’t take you for the ‘wandering through the woods’ type.”
He places a hand over his chest in mock offense. “Wow. And here I was, about to say hello. But if you’re going to start throwing accusations—”
“I just meant, I figured you’d be at the cafe.”
“Just because I happen to be the owner, doesn’t mean I’m there every day.” He points out, stopping just a few feet away. His gaze flicks to Valkyrie, who has abandoned the water in favor of digging an impressively large hole in the sand. “What is she doing? Do you think she saw something shiny in the sand?”
“Honestly?” I say as I shake my head, shooting Valkyrie a look. “Probably. I wouldn’t be surprised.”
He chuckles, his hands sliding into his pockets. That laugh—it’s an easy, comfortable sound, one that makes me excited to hear it again.
“Do you think she’s trying to dig all the way to the Indian Ocean? She doesn’t seem like a quitter and she’s got that energy about her.” His eyes flick back to mine, lingering a second longer than necessary. “So… Do you come here often?”
I could answer simply, but where’s the fun in that?
“Are you asking if I’m a creature of habit?” I tilt my head. “Or just looking for an excuse to run into me again?”
His lips twitch.
Caught.
“Maybe a little of both,” he admits. No hesitation. No shame.
“First time, actually,” I admit. “Valkyrie needed to burn off some energy, and I needed a break from staring at my computer screen. Figured it’d be good for the both of us.”
Theo nods, then tilts his head slightly, a smile playing on his lips. “Wait—does this mean you actually take time off?”
I scoff. “I take breaks.”
“Uh-huh,” he drawls, clearly unconvinced. “And when was your last one?”
I open my mouth—then close it. Damn him.
Theo grins. “Exactly what I thought.”
I huff, nudging him lightly with my elbow. “You’re obnoxious, you know that?”
“So I’ve been told.” He shifts, just slightly closer. Not enough to be obvious, but it’s enough that I notice. That I feel it. His voice drops just enough to make my pulse jump. “Mind if I join you for a bit? It’s been a while since I’ve had company out here.”
I hesitate for just a moment, more for show than anything else. “Sure. It’s a big lake. Plenty of space for both of us.”
Our shoulders brushed lightly as he falls into step beside me, sending a pleasant tingle up my arm.
Theo catches the way I shiver just slightly at the contact, and judging by the smirk that tugs at his lips, he’s fully aware of the effect he’s having on me.
Annoying.
And unfair.
We walk along the water’s edge, the breeze carrying the fresh scent of pine and damp earth. Valkyrie stays just ahead of us, darting in and out of the shallows, pausing only to pounce at her reflection. No complicated emotions to navigate, no lingering glances to ignore. Just pure, unfiltered joy.
“So,” Theo says after a beat, hands tucked into his pockets. “What exactly pulled you away from your computer screen today? Just Valkyrie’s boundless energy, or did you finally remember fresh air exists?”
I shoot him a sideways look. “You act like I never leave the house.”
“Do you?” He raises a brow, eyes glinting with amusement.
I scoff. “Yes, I do. In fact—” I reach into my bag and pull out a pristine, leather-bound sketchbook, flipping through its perfectly untouched pages. “This is what I’m planning on doing while Valkyrie frolics.” The weight of it feels different in my hands, more personal than a tablet. More vulnerable.
Theo glances down at it, his smirk deepening. “Oh wow. No creases, no smudges—this is a serious commitment. Looks brand new.”
“That’s because it is,” I admit, brushing my fingers over the crisp paper. “I haven’t drawn with pencil and paper in a long time. Everything’s been digital recently.”
His gaze lingers on me, thoughtful like he’s picking up on a truth I didn’t mean to show.
“Well,” he says, tilting his head. “I’m honored to witness this momentous occasion.” Then, without missing a beat, he grins. “So, are you gonna draw me like one of your French girls, or…?”
I burst out laughing, shaking my head. “Absolutely not.”
Theo gasps dramatically. “Wow. Shot down immediately, you aren’t even going to pretend to think about it?”
“Somehow, I think your ego will survive.”
Theo exhales, then tilts his head toward me. “You know, I was going to be smooth about this, but—let me take you out.”
I blink. The easy confidence in his voice catches me off guard. No games, no hesitation. He just puts it out there.
“Out?”
“On a date, Selene.” He takes a deliberate step closer, the warmth of his presence making my skin prickle. “You know, a thing where two people who clearly like flirting with each other go somewhere and get to know one another better? You’ve heard of those, right?”
I cross my arms, pretending to think. “Hmm. I don’t know… you do talk a big game, Hot Shot. Can you back it up? I’d hate to waste my time on something mediocre.”
Theo’s eyes narrow playfully. “Oh, come on. What do I have to do to prove myself? Let Valkyrie tackle me into the lake to prove my worth in some dramatic display of manly sacrifice?”
I glance at the water pretending to consider it. “That would be entertaining.”
“I’m sure it would.” He drops his voice just enough to send a shiver down my spine. The way he stares into my eyes makes it impossible to look away. “Please. Say yes, Selene.”
I should say no. I should keep things uncomplicated, especially after how my last relationship ended. I’ve always been careful, always the one to walk away first. But… I don’t want to. Not this time.
“Fine,” I say, rolling my eyes for good measure. “One date.”
Theo’s grin is immediate, victorious. “You won’t regret it.”
I shake my head, but I can’t fight my smile. “We’ll see about that, Hot Shot.”
Walking along the lake we find a picnic table near the water, the sun warms the wood beneath us. Valkyrie, thoroughly soaked, sprawls beside us on the ground, panting happily.
I flip open my new sketchbook, the first page crisp and untouched. Theo’s gaze flicks to it, curiosity sparking in his eyes. Holding his stare, I press my pencil to the page and ruin it—sharp, careless scribbles cutting through the perfection.
His expression shifts from confusion to full-blown horror.
“Uh, Selene—what are you—” He stops mid-sentence, eyes flicking up to mine. When he catches the grin on my face, realization dawns.
I can’t hold back my laugh, tilting the sketchbook so he can see the mess I’ve made. “It’s a trick my sister taught me,” I explain. “You ruin the first page so you don’t get caught up in making everything perfect.”
Theo exhales like I’ve just personally offended him. “That’s the dumbest—” He pauses, eyes narrowing in consideration. “Actually… that makes a weird amount of sense.”
I smirk. “Right? Now you can stop looking at me like I just committed a crime.”
He shakes his head, still eyeing the page like it’s physically painful for him, but a smile tugs at his lips.
“But you’re going to draw me, aren’t you? Please say yes.”
“First of all, I never said I would. Second, I highly doubt you can sit still for five minutes.”
He stretches out, leaning back on his hands. “I’ll do my best. Just—maybe don’t make me look too serious. And, uh…” He gestures to his forehead. “If you could kindly not include my tragic battle scar, I’d appreciate it.”
I tilt my head, studying him. “Battle scar, huh?”
He huffs out a quiet laugh. “Something like that.”
I arch a brow. “Do you want to talk about it, or do you prefer to be the mysterious, broody type?”
His easygoing expression falters for a fraction of a second before he recovers, his gaze flicking toward the lake. It’s subtle, the way his shoulders tense, the way his fingers curl slightly against the rock. “Car accident when I was a kid. Lost my parents in it.”
The teasing dies on my lips. I don’t know what I expected—maybe a dumb childhood mishap—like falling out of a tree, or taking a baseball to the face. But not this. Not even close.
I grip my pencil a little tighter. “Theo…”
He glances at me, reading the shift in my tone. “It was a long time ago,” he says, voice even. “I don’t talk about it much, but… it’s part of me.”
I hesitate, then say, “I get that.” Because I do. Some wounds don’t heal. You just get better at carrying them.
A beat of silence passes before Theo offers me a small, lopsided grin. Like he’s giving me an out. Like he won’t make me sit in the heaviness of it if I don’t want to. “So, am I still getting a portrait, or did I just kill the mood?”
I roll my eyes, relieved by the shift back to a lighter subject. “Turn your head a little—there. Perfect.”
As I start sketching, he watches me, his expression unreadable. “You’re really good at that.”
I shrug. “It’s been a while since I’ve done this, but it’s just like riding a bike.”
Theo hums thoughtfully. “Feels different, doesn’t it? Drawing by hand.”
“Yeah,” I admit. “More… personal.”
His smile turns knowing. “Guess that means I’m special.”
I snort. “That’s one way to look at it.”
He leans in slightly, his voice dipping just enough to send another pulse of warmth through me. “So… what else do I need to know to plan the perfect first date? I’d hate to be mediocre in your eyes.”
I arch a brow. “Oh, so you’re already assuming there’s going to be a second?”
His grin is downright cocky now. “Absolutely. Help me out. Favorite food? Weirdly specific pet peeves? Deep-seated fears?”
I pretend to think. “Hmm. My favorite food is probably sushi. Pet peeve? People who talk during movies.”
Theo groans. “Damn. Guess I’ll have to keep my insightful commentary to myself next time we watch a movie together.”
“Next time?” I echo, raising a brow.
He just grins. “And deep-seated fear?”
I purse my lips, debating how much to give away. Finally, I say, “Being seen as inadequate.”
His expression softens, but he doesn’t push. Instead, he nods, as if filing the information away. “Noted.”
As the sun dips lower, painting the sky in shades of gold and violet, we sit there, sketching and talking. The flirting is easy, the conversation effortless. And it hits me—I don’t mind letting my guard down around him. He asks what feels like eighty-nine questions to help him plan the perfect first date, which he insists on having tomorrow night.
I’ve never felt this kind of connection before. Letting him in and getting to know him is effortless.
By the time we decide to head back, it feels like we’ve known each other far longer than just a handful of encounters. As we reach the coffee shop, Theo turns to me, his expression warm.
“Thanks for letting me tag along, Selene. I enjoyed today.”
The way he says my name—gentle, certain—unsettles me in a way I don’t expect.
I swallow the sudden lump in my throat. “Me too.”
Before I can overthink it, he steps forward and pulls me into a hug. I freeze for half a second, but then… I let myself lean in. Just a little. It’s warm, solid, grounding. I let myself sink into it for just a moment, savoring the way his arms wrap around me, the scent of coffee and an unmistakable warmth I’ve started to associate with him.
When he pulls back, his hands linger on my arms for a beat longer than necessary. Long enough to make me wonder if he’s going to kiss me. Long enough to make me realize that I wouldn’t stop him. “See you tomorrow, Selene.”
I manage a small smile. “See you then, Hot Shot,” I say as he walks away.
Instead of walking into the cafe like I thought he would, he walks past my Subaru and to the passenger side of an old, beat-up truck. He catches me checking it out and laughs, tapping the hood.
“It was my uncle’s.” He says like it’s an answer to a question I didn’t ask.
I just smile at him as Valkyrie and I get in my SUV to head home. On the drive, I can’t help but feel a shift deep in my chest. I’d come to the lake looking for solitude… but somehow, I’d left with an unexpected gift. A connection. And maybe—just maybe—that’s exactly what I needed.