Page 11 of Twins For My Bestie's Brother

Getting up in time to be at Bolton’s was transition enough. Back in Seattle, I was a sleep-until-noon kind of girl. Still, Jackson is doing me a favor. The least I can do is go along with his schedule. “If you pick me up, it’s a deal.”

He chuckles, low in his chest. I get a flash of being pressed up against his side, his sweat sticking to my skin, his warmth seeping into my bones. “I can do that.”

“Don’t judge me if I look like a mess, okay? I don’t get up that early for anything, so consider yourself lucky.”

There’s a pause on the other end and then—

“You never look like a mess, Lily.”

I nearly swallow my tongue, unable to reply.

“See you tomorrow morning.”

He’s hung up by the time I finally am able to echo the words back to him.

Chapter 4

Jackson

Imean it. Lily never looks like a mess. Even now as we walk up to the Cider Creek Loop trailhead, she looks fantastic. All her dark curls are piled on top of her head in a messy topknot and she’s wearing an oversized sweatshirt on top of some tiny athletic shorts, perfect for the early August morning. Not so perfect for keeping me cool under the collar.

We start the two-mile loop that encircles the peninsula jutting out into the bay. It has a shallow grade that takes us up to Craggy Point, a perfect place to watch the sunrise.

“Thanks again. For the coffee,” Lily says, her voice creaky with morning fog.

“Of course. It’s the least I can do for you coming out here this early,” I reply with a small smile.

Her mouth twinkles into a small smile. “You’re right; it is the least you can do.”

I chuckle. “I’m the one pretending to be your boyfriend for the reunion. Don’t forget about that.”

“Trust me; I haven’t.” Lily takes a long sip of her iced coffee. I told her I asked Kayla for her order, but the truth is I already knew it. Iced coffee, a shot of espresso, splash of oat milk, pump of simple syrup, sprinkle of cinnamon. I remember everything when it comes to her.

Our footsteps scuffle against the path. I usually run the loop in the mornings. But I know Lily is a “run-only-when-chased” type of person. I can respect that.

“Seriously, Jackson, I know Kayla was just trying to help, but we don’t have to do this.”

We take the first bend in the path. The tree leaves are starting to turn yellow just the slightest bit. Autumn is on the horizon. “I’m not backing out. If you want to back out—”

“No, I don’t. I just don’t want you to do this because you feel sorry for me.”

I glance at her. Her eyes are downcast, focusing on where her steps land on the dirt path rather than the beauty surrounding us. “I don’t feel sorry for you, Lil.”

Lily meets my gaze for just a moment, then looks away again. She’s nervous or embarrassed. I don’t want her to be either of those things around me. We grew up together, for God’s sake. We’re friends. At least, I thought we were. “Okay, so how did this start? Our . . . relationship.”

A shiver runs down my spine. If only our relationship was real, and for some reason, she had an amnesia that made her forget how we got here. “Well, you came home six months ago. We’ve obviously spent time together since. With Kayla.”

“Yes, with Kay.”

“Let’s say we’ve been together . . . three months. That feels like enough time to be getting serious but still have been keeping it a secret.”

“Okay, three months. And you askedmeout. That will make Tia mad,” Lily says, picking up her pace and lifting her head.

I laugh. “If I turn up murdered Saturday night, I think we’ll both know who did it.”

“God, she wassomad when she found out we’re together. Or pretending to be.”

“If looks could kill . . . ”

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