"Tara, the snow is beautiful tonight," Selena whispered, her voice catching, her words fading like wisps of breath in the cold air. "And so are you."
Tara's quiet voice drifted across the frigid air, and there was a faint rasp to it, barely noticeable but adding a depth that made her already low voice even more alluring. It was like the years had brought her voice a new warmth, a gentleness woven through it that hadn't been there before.
Selena's throat tightened. She had imagined this reunion a thousand times, always ending in heartbreak. She never dreamed she'd see Tara on a night as ordinary as this, after just another long workday, and certainly not like this—Tara stepping out of the cold, silently lifting an umbrella over her head, shielding her from the snow that now fell heavier, blurring her vision.
Something in Selena's chest, long dormant, stirred to life with that quiet greeting. A flood of memories washed over her, bright flashes of a past happiness, yet no longer faded like old photos. Before she knew it, a cool tear trickled down her cheek, and Tara's fingers brushed it away, her touch trembling. For a moment, the woman in front of her became both a memory and the present, and Selena felt swept up in a wave of unreality.
Tara stood there, tall and slender, her hair flecked with snowflakes, her face flushed pink from the biting wind. Her eyes shone as brightly as ever behind her glasses, which sparkled with a kind of crystalline brilliance under the amber streetlights. She looked regal and refined, a familiar beauty touched by something new—a subtle authority and self-assurance.
Their gazes met, and for a moment, Selena's heart jolted. This woman was both the Tara she remembered and yet someone else entirely.
"Don't cry, Selena," Tara whispered, her hand still cupping Selena's face. Her fingers were as cold as ice, but the chill brought Selena's mind into sharp focus.
Despite the frost that had crept into Tara's touch, Selena didn't move away. She longed to reach up, to clasp that hand against her cheek, but the slightest movement brought her back to reality, and she hesitated, pulling her hand back before it could touch Tara's.
Her promise to Tara's mother echoed in her mind: she had left, and she had to honor that choice.
After a moment, Tara withdrew her hand, and without its warmth, the wind's bite was razor-sharp on Selena's skin. For a fleeting second, she almost missed it—Tara's hand, offering the faintest bit of warmth.
Her gaze drifted down, settling on Tara's left hand. The pale skin was tinged red from the cold, and on her ring finger was a sleek, elegant silver band that caught the dim light with an almost mocking gleam.
The ring was like a jolt of ice, and Selena's first instinct was to look away.
Yet as she looked back up, Tara's eyes were steady, gentle as always. Somehow, the light in those dark eyes, though softer than she remembered, sent an ache deep into Selena's heart. They had been apart for five years, she reminded herself. What right did she have to expect that Tara would remain unchanged?
Selena, lowering her gaze, tried to summon a smile, though she was sure it must look hollow. "Tara, you…you've changed a lot."
Tara's gentle gaze didn't waver, though her voice took on a slightly teasing edge. "Is that so? A lot of people say that. What do you think has changed, Selena?"
She sounded like she was making light conversation, like they were old friends who hadn't seen each other in years.
Selena gave a faint, sad smile. "I suppose…you seem a bit more refined, somehow. And perhaps, a little more mature."
Tara pressed the button on her car keys, and lights blinked in the nearby lot. She gestured toward the car with a nod. "It's getting late, and I don't have a place to stay yet."
Selena's heart twisted. She couldn't just take Tara to her small rental apartment. The one-bedroom space had a single bed, barely enough seating for one, and certainly no extra room for a guest. She was already trying to think of nearby hotels when Tara cut in.
"Selena," Tara said, "I don't know if any hotels around here have rooms available this late. Would you mind helping me find one?"
Selena's heart sank even further. The reality she'd tried so hard to ignore settled in, and she reminded herself of the truth she'd chosen—she had no place in Tara's life now, and it was time she accepted it.
She nodded quickly. "Of course. I'll take you to a hotel."
"Thank you," Tara said, her tone soft.
They walked through the snow together, Tara holding the umbrella as if it were the most natural thing in the world to lean it over Selena's head, her own shoulder half-exposed, already gathering a dusting of snow.
Once at the car, Selena instinctively reached for the front passenger door. But before she could open it, Tara's hand gently stopped her, and for a second, Selena felt the warmth of Tara's breath against her skin, stirring a memory that made her heart ache.
"Tara, you should sit in the front," Tara said softly.
The words struck Selena like a blow. Of course—the front seat, Tara's passenger seat, likely belonged to someone else now. And it wouldn't be Thomas. No, that was obvious from the silver band she wore. The new occupant would be…someone else, someone whose presence had settled deeply enough into Tara's life to merit a ring.
With a faint nod, Selena whispered, "All right," and moved to the back seat, pulling the door open and sliding inside.
A blanket was passed back to her, neatly folded. With the faint light from the streetlamps, Selena could finally see the details of that ring. It wasn't a traditional wedding band; it was minimalist yet intricately designed. Its delicate curves and smooth silver edges almost resembled two figures, pressed close together, a subtle hint of intimacy set around a small, glistening diamond.
Tara's voice drifted back to her. "Selena, we can't use the heater since the windows will fog up, but you can use that blanket if you're cold. It's never been used by anyone else, I promise."
Selena barely heard her words, still staring at the ring. Tara noticed her gaze, and with a curious glint in her eye, she asked, "Do you like it, Selena?"
Selena snapped back to herself and quickly took the blanket, stumbling over her words. "It's… it's beautiful."
Tara's lips curved into a smile, but she didn't continue the conversation. Instead, she simply nodded, her voice gentle. "Get comfortable. I'll drive us there, and you can rest if you'd like. I'll wake you when we arrive."
As they drove, cold air poured in through the cracked window. Despite the chill, the hum of the car, and the soft voice of the navigation, lulled Selena into an unexpected drowsiness. She must have drifted off because the next thing she heard was Tara's voice, quiet and close.
"Selena, we're here."
Selena blinked, rousing herself to find Tara's face nearby. She glanced toward the hotel's dim lobby, where only a couple of employees were waiting. "I think they might have a room open. Thank you for driving me. I'll be fine from here."
But just as she turned to go, Tara's hand caught her arm.
"At this hour? And on icy roads?" Tara shook her head. "There's no way I'm letting you walk back alone. I'll stay here with you."
The words took Selena aback, and for a second, she looked up at Tara, surprised. It seemed inappropriate—was it really okay for her to share a hotel with Tara, considering…everything?
Noticing Selena's hesitation, Tara's mouth twitched into a faint smile. "Of course, I meant two rooms. And you were right; it's likely empty, so there should be space."
Selena gave a faint nod, letting out a soft sigh of relief as they walked toward the lobby together. "I'll pay for my own room, though."
Tara simply smiled in response, silent as she approached the front desk. She handed her ID to the receptionist, who checked the computer and looked up with a calm, professional expression.
"I'm sorry," the receptionist said. "We only have one room left—one with a queen bed."