Chapter 1

“Hi, Jacob. What’s going on?”
“Hey, Selene. I got a message from your sister.”
“God… what now?”
“I love your sister. I love you too. Probably I’d love your entire family, but Darla shouldn’t be involved. It’s better for her.”
“And what’s better for you?”
“I should break up with Sabrina… I know. Not yet. I’m not brave enough.”

Her soft eyes burned into me.

“What was my sister’s message about?”
“She sent me her favorite song for my birthday at midnight—‘A Drop in the Ocean’ from The Vampire Diaries.”
“Did Sabrina send anything?”
“Not even close.”

Selene took a deep breath.
“I don’t want to hurt your sister.”
“She’s hurt already.”
“I know. Please… do you understand me?”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Jacob. But when you’re unhappy, she’s even worse.”
“I can’t measure her.”
“But Sabrina isn’t right for you.”
“I’m not right for anyone.”

“You’re kind. You’re sweet. You’re cute. You’re attractive. And my sister sees in you everything you can’t see in the mirror. Darla, though… she’s sensitive. Sometimes calm, sometimes a tsunami of emotions. She needs someone to support her, someone who brings her love, and you… you’re just a bomb. But our bomb.”

“I see in Darla everything she doesn’t see in herself. We’re at the same point.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I’m her heaven.”
“Is she yours?”
“She’s heaven… so far from me.”

I saw darkness in her eyes. For a moment, my breath stopped. She passed her cold hand over my warm head. I mirrored her gesture, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear. Something inside me broke.

How could a friend take the place of a lover?
“Is this cheating on my girlfriend?”
She quietly laughed.
“Love you too.”

I laughed, and she showed her teeth.
“My little monster. You seem heavy, but you’re a princess at the same time.”
“Can I hug you?”
I felt euphoria in the dark green sea of her eyes.
“Pretty girl… you can hug me as much as you want.”

Selene closed the distance, and I wrapped my arms around her five-foot frame and her straight, long hair.
“Love you the same.”
“You’re like a wolf.”
“Like what?”
“You’re savage and protective. But you have a beautiful heart.”
“Only Jacob from Twilight has a beautiful heart,” she teased.

She tried to fight me, and I held her lightly.
“Wolves were humans’ best friends long before dogs.”
“Am I your best friend before your dog?”
“No. You aren’t.”

I rolled my eyes.
Selene smiled calmly and glanced toward the bridge ahead. The city lights weren’t bright enough to reveal the whole structure. A cold wind blew, and she adjusted her black coat.

“What are you thinking about?”
“My sister.”
She didn’t look at me.
“She’d like to be here with us.”
I noticed a hint of sadness in her voice.
“No, she wouldn’t. She needs to pack her things for the student residence.”
“My sister already packed this morning.”
“Maybe she’s just tired.”
“Psychologically,” I added.

That hit hard.
“Selene! Look at me.”
Her indifferent gaze and straight mouth broke something in me like shattered dishes.
I spoke her name again.
She shivered from the cold wind.
“It’s not easy for anyone.”

Selene looked at me.
“I don’t want to get angry at anyone. Maybe we can change the topic.”
“My sister needs help.”
“Just like us.”

She shook her head.
“I don’t know how to help my sister.”
“Me neither.”
“You’re not helping me.”
“Darla has the biggest head I’ve ever seen.”
“I’ve more or less seen it,” I replied with a small smile.
“Hasn’t your sister always had a big head?”
“I’ve seen that’s the root of the problem.”
“And also, it’s your girlfriend.”
“I don’t give a shit about my girlfriend.”
“Okay. Now do you want to focus on my sister?”

I exhaled.
“My girlfriend hates Darla because she’s direct and doesn’t care what anyone thinks. If she wants something, she fights for it.”
“Sabrina hates her. But you?”
Tears filled my eyes.
“I can’t.”
“And that’s wrong?”
“Perhaps. I’m not a good boyfriend.”
“Is Sabrina a good girlfriend?”
“No, she isn’t. But maybe I’m a bad boyfriend too—and I finally realized it.”

Anger rose automatically.
“Why are you comparing Darla with Sabrina?”
I felt her surprise deep in my bones.
“Can I tell you a secret?”
“Impress me.”

She studied me, and I felt I had a better secret.
“Sabrina and Darla are comparing each other.”
“Another secret?”
She furrowed her brows.
“Sabrina isn’t half of what Darla is.”

Heat ran up her small body and stopped at her face.
“What are you doing with Sabrina?”
I called softly.
“Calm down.”
I held her small body.
“I’m not a bastard.”

My fingers ran along her arms, softening her furious expression. Those green eyes could petrify me.
“Darla measures someone better than I do.”
My gaze shifted, trying to think clearly.
“God… someone much better than me.”

I looked back at her.
“I like your sister… but not when she’s hurting.”

Darla was stunning. Honey hair, eyes full of life, curves that drove me crazy—but she could eat anything and not gain weight. Everyone would kill to taste her.

She was different from my usual type of girls—blondes with exaggerated curves and predictable personalities. Darla was a mystery. Transparent, yet an enigma.

“Would you like someone else with Darla?”
My face flushed.
“Should I?”
“You’re with another girl…”
Annoying.
“I can’t imagine a future with Sabrina.”

A faint smile appeared.
“She’s cheated on me many times. She’s just not right for me.”