2. Selene
Selene
Inever thought I would see him again.
To be more accurate, I knew I would see him again; I just hoped it would be on my terms. That I’d meet him when I was ready, when I had my life sorted out, or at least when I had a good speech prepared.
I didn’t expect…this. I didn’t in a million years think that I’d run into him here, of all places.
The ocean air is sharp and clean, but that’s not the reason there are goose pimples all over my arms. My heart is beating so fast that I’m afraid it will beat right out of my chest. I’m counting my breaths in my head so I don’t forget to breathe.
My knees are weak. I shift my weight and move, careful not to stumble. I’m barely managing to hold my notepad in my hand because I’m shaking so much. A million and one thoughts are running through my mind, but none of them make any sense.
I go through all the conversations I had with Olivia about the wedding. I knew her husband’s name was Garrett Stone, but it never occurred to me that the two might be related. She had mentioned that Garrett had two brothers, but as far as I can remember, Darby didn’t have any siblings. Or did he?
He didn’t talk about his family much when we were together. And back then, I’m not sure I cared, at least not in the initial stages of our relationship. I was just so in love with him that nothing else mattered.
I have no idea how I’m going to handle this, what I’m going to say or do, or what he’s going to say or do.
Darby stands a few feet away, and he looks as taken back as I am. His lips part slightly, and he blinks as if expecting me to disappear.
His chestnut hair is the same, perfectly imperfect like he just rolled out of bed looking effortlessly good. And his green eyes, even though they don’t look as bright as they used to, still have the same warm effect on me. The years have been kind to him, too kind.
I don’t know if I can say the same about myself.
Garrett gives me an encouraging nod, and his smile is bright and unsuspecting. “He’s all yours, Selene. Darby please don’t scare her off. Be nice.”
I manage to muster a smile as a response; then, he slaps Darby’s shoulder before he walks off, leaving us alone.
I clear my throat and decide it’s better to say something. Anything. “Darby.”
Shit? Is that really all you can say, Selene?
His name sounds different on my tongue after so long. He blinks and takes a deep breath. The look of surprise on his face disappears immediately and is replaced with a cold expression. It’s like staring at a stranger wearing a mask I know too well.
“Selene,” he says, flat. No inflection. No warmth. Just the name, dropped like a coin on a counter.
Not like I expected anything else.
I raise my notepad and pen, ready to write even though I’m not confident I can with such trembling hands. “Shall…shall we start the interview?”
“Sure.”
The first question is easy. “What’s your favorite thing about weddings?”
“Nothing.”
I blink, my pen hovering above the page. “You don’t enjoy them?”
“No. Not particularly.”
I glance at him, searching for a crack in his composure. His expression’s nothing but ice, his eyes fixed somewhere just past my shoulder. It’s like he can’t look at me. Or doesn’t want to.
“Okay,” I say, my voice softening. “What do you think makes a good marriage?”
“Loyalty.”
He doesn’t elaborate, but he doesn’t need to. I know what he’s trying to do. The next question tumbles out before I can second-guess myself. “And love?”
His eyes snap to mine, and I see a brief moment of something there. Before I can make sense of it, it’s gone. He shrugs. “Optional.”
I swallow hard, the ache in my chest growing heavier by the second. I scribble notes mechanically, though I know I won’t use half of this. He’s barely participating, giving me nothing to work with, but I can’t walk away.
I don’t mean to be selfish, but I’m letting my emotions get in the way of Olivia’s article. I wish I could tell him that. But I don’t think he’d receive it well.
So, I decide to remind him who this article is for. “How do you feel about Garrett and Olivia’s relationship?” I ask.
“Fine.”
That’s it. Just fine.
“I mean, like, Garrett is your elder brother. Would you say meeting Olivia has changed him in any way?”
He shrugs again and shifts his weight. “I don’t know.”
My patience wanes, but I push forward anyway. “Do you think they make a good team?”
“Yes.”
He’s treating this like a chore, and it stings more than I want to admit. Because I know he’s doing this to spite me.
Finally, I lower the notepad. I have no clue what I'm feeling right now, but I know this isn’t the mood in which I need to interview someone. “That’s all for now.”
“Great.” He turns on his heel without another word and starts walking away from me. Garrett intercepts him before he can go too far.
“You’re done?”
“Well, according to Selene, I am.”
Garrett cocks his brows and looks at me, then looks at Darby, then looks at me again. “Selene?” He frowns. “Do you two know each other?”
Darby barely glances at me. “Not really.” He didn’t even stutter. “We were on the same campus when I was doing my master's,” he continues, “Saw her around. That’s all.”
My throat tightens, but I force myself to nod when Garrett looks at me for confirmation. “That’s right.”
Garrett’s frown doesn’t ease. It's almost like he can sense there’s something more. “Huh. Small world.”
“Yeah,” I laugh nervously. “Small world.”
Darby doesn’t wait for more questions. He strides off, his long legs carrying him across the terrace and back toward the party.
Garrett gives me an awkward smile, then excuses himself, leaving me alone by the railing.
I don’t think I’ve fully processed this situation yet.
I came here to attend a friend's wedding so I could write a good article and ended up running into my ex after he disappeared from his life eight years ago. I’ve spent years imagining what it would be like to see him again, and this isn’t it.
In what universe do coincidences like these happen?
I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with a full dose of salt air. The memories I’ve kept locked away for so long threaten to break free, but I push them down. I deserve this.
I disappeared. I chose to leave, and now my choice is coming back to bite me in the ass. In more ways than one.
The music from inside thumps faintly through the open doors.
I straighten my blouse and tuck my notepad into my bag.
According to the plan, Garrett's youngest brother was the last person I was supposed to interview.
Also, according to the plan, at this point, I should breathe in the fresh Hawaiian air and enjoy the party.
But there’s no ‘enjoying’ the party now since Garrett's younger brother turned out to be Darby. All I can think about is him, and eight years of experience have taught me that it is hard not to think about a man like Darby Stone.
“Selene!” Olivia’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. She’s glowing, dressed in a pale lavender gown that dances in the wind. Her dark hair is pinned back, and there’s a warmth in her smile that’s hard to resist.
“I didn’t see you come back inside,” she says. “Garrett told me you’ve been working all night. No more of that. Come join the party.”
I hesitate, glancing toward the crowded room. He is in there. “I should probably go finish my notes—”
“Absolutely not,” she interrupts, grabbing my hand. “You’ve worked enough. Eat, drink, have fun. This is a party. My party. I want you to enjoy it, too.”
Before I can protest, she pulls me inside. The party is so loud that I almost go into sensory overload.
The small space is filled with chatter, laughter, and music. Then, there are so many heavy perfumes that my stomach churns. I swallow and breathe out through my mouth. Olivia steers me toward a group of people near the bar, introducing me to more of her family and friends.
I smile and nod, making polite conversation, but my mind drifts.
I keep thinking about Darby. The way he looked at me—or didn’t look at me. I know he’s in this room, too, and I may run into him. Without the excuse of an interview, what would I say? What could I say? Would he even listen?
It’s all too much for me: my thoughts, the smells, the sounds, everything.
At some point, I excuse myself and wander toward the far side of the room. The music is softer here, and the crowd is thinner. A waiter passes by with a tray of champagne, and I take one and gulp half of the glass.
My eyes dart around the room, and I spot him before I realize it’s him I’m looking for.
Darby is in the corner, standing not too far from where I am. He’s talking to a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, her dress a deep shade of blue that hugs her curves. She’s laughing at something he said, her hand lightly brushing his arm.
When I look around this corner, I see only couples. They seem to be people who want to have a conversation but don’t want to leave the party.
This is the only corner of the room quiet enough for that.
I should look away. I should turn around and walk back to the party. But I don’t. My feet stay rooted, and my gaze stays locked on Darby.
He shifts slightly, tilting his head toward her. He’s smiling now, that easy, confident smile I remember so well. The woman leans closer, and her body language tells me everything I need to know.
My chest tightens.
It’s not jealousy, I tell myself. I have no right to feel jealous after the stunt I pulled eight years ago. It’s just longing.
I long to talk to him. To explain why I left. To tell him that there hasn’t been a day in the past eight years when he didn’t cross my mind.
I think he feels me looking because he looks up and our eyes meet.
It’s a split second, but it feels longer. My stomach twists. I expect him to look away, to pretend he didn’t see me.
He doesn’t.
Instead, he turns back to the woman, pulls her into his arms, and kisses her. More accurately, he shoves his tongue down her throat.