Aubrey couldn’t believe he was sharing a moment with Sabien. 

He was a lowly freelance photographer beside a supermodel worth millions. Hence, the nickname Sabien showed his disdain for, “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 at such a young age. Those eyes on a brilliantly youthful face had created a visual that photographers and designers desperately fought for. 

It was those eyes that had first drawn Aubrey toward Sabien. 

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

Aubrey, this time, quirked an eyebrow. He knew damned well that Sabien was not impressed. It was so obvious, which was confusing in itself. When did it matter to Sabien how long Aubrey and Wesley had known each other? And why did he care?

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 sideview. 

“Wesley and I are like an old married couple.” Aubrey said, “Just without the intimacy, which is gross. Anyway, we basically know everything about each other. It’s disgusting to think about him as more than that. He is my brother.” 

The thought of crossing any lines with Wesley gave Aubrey the ick, and Wesley was straight, at least to Aubrey’s knowledge. Aubrey 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 thought almost angrily. It didn’t make sense how gorgeous Sabien was. It was beyond words, at this point. 

“Do you envy your sister?” Aubrey asked. 

“I admire her ability to be open. She wears her heart on her sleeves and expresses herself without any care. She’s a kind and lovely soul.” Sabien’s lips then twisted into a faint grimace. “Too kind, I’d say. 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 inviting.

“Do you envy Wesley?” Sabien asked. 

The following question forced Aubrey to look at Sabien. Now he was lost in those piercing eyes. A certain sense of danger and dread surrounded Sabien like a thick cloud, triggering Aubrey’s animal brain to run as far away as possible. Regardless, Aubrey stayed rooted to his spot, wondering if Sabien was purposely presenting himself as a threat, in order to keep others away from him. 

The lingering silence made Aubrey realized how long Sabien might have been waiting for a response. He cut off all notion of predator-and-prey in their strangely blossoming dynamic, to focus on the conversation at present. He had to stop losing himself around Sabien. 

“Kind of,” Aubrey 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 against Aubrey’s first bully in third grade. Wesley punched that kid hard in the nose, almost breaking it, 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. 

“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 made Aubrey’s stomach swoop. Aubrey never heard Sabien’s real laugh before, and it did something to him. 

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 trapped beneath paw of a lion. It was telling him many things, or rather, feeding into the embarrassing fantasy in his head. 

“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. A muscle tensed 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 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, but something else was there, some mystery that Aubrey wanted to uncover. 

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

That felt like a punch in the gut. Aubrey tried not to look affected because Sabien wasn’t wrong. Aubrey actually 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 of 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’s brows shot up, “what?”  

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 intriguing to you at all?” 

Aubrey was conflicted. Sabien was all the things Aubrey desired, but—this was a big but—he felt vulnerable, and he didn’t like it one bit. His legendary temper began 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 someone tried him. 

As an adult, Aubrey managed to control of his temper. He had learned that not all problems were resolved by violence, and being reactive brought on more problems than regulating his emotions. 

“I do,” Aubrey said rather calmly. “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. He was also 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, although part of him wondered how Sabien would look half-submerged in shadows with the rest of him bathed in moonlight.