Aubrey was sharing a moment with Sabien at the terrace. 

He was a lowly freelance photographer beside a supermodel worth millions of dollars. Hence, the nickname Sabien seemed to dislike, “the moneymaker.” 

Most veteran models made that list until Sabien surprised the industry with his platinum visuals. His eyes were captivating regardless of the lighting. They had a haunting quality, as if he’d seen so much of the world and had grown weary from its history. Those eyes on a brilliantly youthful face had created a visual that photographers and designers desperately fought for. 

“I’m genuinely impressed by your friendship.” Sabien said, breaking the milling silence, “You guys have stood the test of time… Since third grade. Wow.” 

Wow again, Aubrey thought. Sabien was not impressed. It was so obvious, which was confusing in itself. Why did it matter to Sabien how long Aubrey and Wesley had known each other? 

Aubrey huffed, unclenching his hands from the balustrade. He propped his elbows on it instead, and curled his hand beneath his chin, keeping Sabien in his peripherals. 

“We’re like an old married couple.” Aubrey said, “We know everything about each other except for the romantic bits. It’s gross to think about him as more than that. He is my brother.” 

The thought of crossing any lines with Wesley gave him the ick, and Wesley was straight, at least to Aubrey’s knowledge. He was not here to out Wesley or speculate if that wasn’t the case. 

“It’s not my business anyway. I do admire how you’re still friends with that much history. Not many people can do that in this industry.” 

Aubrey shrugged, “It’s funny now that I think about it. I wasn’t even receptive to Wesley at first. He was really popular at our schools.” From elementary to middle to high school, Wesley left girls swooning while boys admired him. Meanwhile, Aubrey was the black cat who hissed at anyone who stood within six feet of him. 

“I can see that. You and Wesley are opposites. My sister is the same as him. She likes being around people and building all sorts of connections.” 

Aubrey wasn’t sure if he’d caught that tone again. He turned his head a little more for a better view of Sabien’s handsome profile. Ugh, he’s so goddamn attractive, Aubrey wanted to scream.

“Do you envy your sister?” Aubrey asked. 

“I admire her ability to be so open. She wears her heart on her sleeves and expresses herself without any care. She’s a lovely soul and kind.” Sabien’s lips twisted into a faint grimace. “Too kind. That’s when people start walking all over her.” 

Aubrey blinked, unsure of what to say. He didn’t know Vanille well enough to formulate an opinion. Based on his first impression, she came off as bubbly and welcoming. Aubrey never felt left out of the conversation whenever she spoke in a crowded room.

“Do you envy Wesley?” Sabien asked. 

The sudden question threw Aubrey off his train of thought. Aubrey was now lost in those piercing eyes. A certain sense of danger and dread percolated around Sabien like a thick cloud. The urge to flee coursed within Aubrey’s brain with no rhyme or reason. He had a visual of being a rabbit cowering in the presence of a wolf. 

Regardless, Aubrey stayed rooted to his spot, wondering if Sabien purposely exuded such an air to keep others away from him. 

Aubrey mulled over the question that sounded simple yet complicated. “Kind of,” he finally replied. “I wasn’t very good at peopling. I learned a lot from him. If anything, I’m more grateful we’d met. He was the persistent one in our friendship, and I’m glad he was.” 

Aubrey chewed on his bottom lip, eyes momentarily unfocusing as he recalled a bit of the past. Wesley was the only person who stood up to Aubrey’s first bully in third grade. Wesley punched that kid hard in the nose and demanded an apology while Aubrey sat on the ground with scraped knees and a cut upper lip. 

Cruelty was a different breed with children. It came from somewhere deep, somewhere at home, for a child to be that cruel to another. It left a lasting impression on Aubrey despite how long ago it’d been, and he was a fully functioning adult. 

“Some days, I wish I was as brave as Wesley and not feel so depleted after a long day,” Aubrey admitted. 

“I’m sure he has his hard days,” Sabien said. “Just as you do. Our industry isn’t always so accommodating.”

Aubrey smiled wryly. The fashion industry certainly had its ups and downs and its less-than-savory moments. Aubrey liked being a photographer. He could say no and not lose sleep over it.

“I think this is the most I’ve ever talked to you, Sabien,” Aubrey said with a half-smile.

“Was it that difficult to begin with?” Sabien replied, having turned his body for his elbow to rest on the rail. 

Aubrey couldn’t recall if Sabien had been that close before. His cologne was distracting. 

“Well…” Aubrey began, glancing toward the sky. The stars were noticeable on the terrace. They winked like tiny diamonds in a sea of blue and black velvet. “You’re a little cold.” He dropped his gaze back to Sabien with a smirk. “I’ve seen your interviews. You don’t give much for them to work with.” 

Sabien threw his head back and laughed. The sound caused an intense fluttering in Aubrey’s stomach, opposing the cold observation. Aubrey never heard Sabien’s real laugh before, and it filled him with immense pride that he had inspired that sound. 

Sabien straightened out his posture as his laughter faded into a soft chuckle. With his gaze hooded, his eyes gleamed dangerously. Aubrey’s mouth suddenly went dry. He felt like the rabbit in his vision, pinned beneath that wolfish stare. It was telling him many things, or rather, feeding into the embarrassing fantasy in his head. Aubrey’s hyper-imaginative brain was close to short-circuiting. 

“What else?” Sabien urged with a purr in his voice. It sounded too much like sex and malt candy. Aubrey wanted to turn tail and run as far away as possible to hide his erection. 

“Umm, well, okay…” Aubrey’s stomach was doing intense somersaults as he forced his brain to think.  

“And don’t lie to me. I’m tired of hearing the same old answers.” Sabien added. 

Aubrey pushed away from the railing with a sudden show of confidence. He crossed his arms, chewing once again on his bottom lip. That was when Aubrey noticed the drop in Sabien’s gaze toward his mouth. He slowly stopped his chewing, fascinated by Sabien’s reaction. He saw the muscle tension in Sabien’s jaw. 

Interesting. 

“Fine. I’m not going to lie to you.” Aubrey said, “I think you have this wall up. You tolerate people because it’s a part of your job and your personality as a model. It’s work, but when you’ve finished playing the part, you still refuse to let anyone in. Like you said before, you’re the opposite of your sister. A part of you can’t help admiring and envying her ability to be so expressive while you’re you.” Aubrey stopped talking when he noticed the shift in Sabien’s face, like the shadows already present had darkened considerably, emphasizing the potential danger and dread Aubrey had sensed earlier. 

That was the wall, Aubrey realized. The wall that had always been there. 

“I could be wrong,” Aubrey proceeded cautiously, “but you don’t seem like someone who’d let anyone in. You have a reason, and I’m no therapist. I have no right to say these things to you, but I’m a photographer. I guess I have some merit in that regard.” Aubrey shrugged again. He wasn’t taking pictures just cause. Aubrey had a passion for his work. He wanted to convey meaning and emotions in the unspoken. Aubrey sought to capture the moments people took for granted and the beauty that often went ignored. The most hidden aspect of modeling was the fiercest in Aubrey’s eyes. They added more to the photos. Colors. Vibrance. Life. 

Sabien had an extensive portfolio where his eyes stood out, conveying every facet of human emotion possible. 

“You’re onto something, Bree,” Sabien said. “And you still know nothing about me.” 

That felt like a knife in the chest. Aubrey tried not to look affected because Sabien wasn’t wrong. Aubrey didn’t know Sabien. He only knew Sabien based on what he’d seen and their brief exchanges in the past. They had only a handful of encounters back then. Sabien’s response made Aubrey feel foolish about keeping any of those moments sacred. 

“Okay.” This word was less powerful a statement than the “no” he’d given Rex. It sounded weak. Pathetic. It was all Aubrey had after analyzing someone he had built up in his head and was virtually a stranger. 

“I can let you in,” Sabien said unexpectedly. 

Aubrey blinked. 

Sabien didn’t press on, simply staring back at the shock visible on Aubrey’s face. 

“Wait, why?” Aubrey said. He had to smash the inner replay button to confirm he heard Sabien correctly. 

“Why not?” Sabien said with a shrug. “You find me interesting enough to read me like a book. Am I not attractive to you at all?” 

Aubrey was conflicted. Yes, Sabien was interesting. And yes, he was attractive and so much more. But he felt called out, and he didn’t like it one bit. His legendary temper was simmering. Wesley might have stood up to that bully in third grade, but Aubrey had cemented a reputation of his own since then by unleashing his rage whenever some punk tried him. 

As an adult, Aubrey had better control of his rage. It still existed, looking for a reason to snap, crackle, and pop on his behalf. 

“I do,” Aubrey said, surprisingly calm. “I find you all those things, but I also think you’re trying to patronize me.” He wasn’t amused. Aubrey could look at this as a good challenge. Tempting, even. To be offered this chance to get to know Sabien better, even though it felt like a ruse. “I’m heading back inside.” 

Aubrey needed to get over himself and the fantasy he built of Sabien Grosvenor. He was getting whiplash from this longer-than-usual interaction.

Aubrey wasn’t born yesterday, and he wasn’t some smitten thirty-four-year-old.  

He also shouldn’t ignore that sense of danger lurking around Sabien’s domineering presence. 

Sabien was dangerous to Aubrey in so many ways. Whiplash included, Aubrey was stuck at an impasse with what he wanted out of this encounter. 

“All right,” Sabien said, his jaw clenching visible. “See you around, Bree.” 

“Bye, Sabien.” Aubrey tried not to falter as he walked away from Sabien. He resisted the urge to look over his shoulder, which left him wondering how Sabien would look partly submerged in shadows and moonlight.