Page 24 of Twins For My Bestie's Brother

“You think?”

“Oh, absolutely. Tia is totally pissed. She—well, let’s just say she had something to do with Will being here tonight.”

I huff. “She’s such a . . . I hate using the word, but—”

“I’m inclined to agree.”

I shake my head.

“We need to keep selling it, though. If we’re doing this for the month.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. We’re going to have to go on dates. And be seen together.”

Jackson laughs. “You say all that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Not a bad thing, no!” I say all too eagerly. “Just . . . this is all so silly, isn’t it.”

Jackson’s smile falls, and he shakes his head. “To help a friend is not silly to me. Not at all.”

Why does he have to be so tender? So gentle? It’s making my body do things I wish it wouldn’t.

Oh, who am I kidding? I haven’t had a crush in years. Not like this. I’m allowed to let myselfcrushon Jackson.

“Lily.”

“Hm?”

Jackson leans closer to me, as if he wants to tell me a secret. So, I lean closer too, desperate to hear it. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

I can’t help my jaw falling open.

“Is that okay?”

“Uh—um—yeah, it’s—”

“For the fake relationship, of course.”

“Of course,” I reiterate to my body, so it doesn’t betray me further.

Jackson and I stop swaying back and forth on the floor. He puts one hand under my chin, tipping it upward. And his eyes fall to my lips, sizing them up for a kiss.

Holy mother of God, he’s so sexy. So poised and restrained. Far from the way I would have kissed him. In a fake way, of course. I would have grabbed and pulled and kissed so hard—

All thoughts leave my brain when his lips land against mine. Measured. Just like everything else about him. Warm yet spicy. Like ginger. I move my hand down from his shoulder to his chest. I want to be close to him. Want to feel the kiss in every part of my body. Which isn’t hard, considering I’m finding myself tumbling down from any semblance of sanity.

Jackson’s fingers slide through my curls, the hand on my waist tightening. Pulling. Pressing.

“Get a room!” someone shouts.

Our lips break apart though our hands still cling to one another. I’m not sure who said it or the direction of the voice. But the music has changed, and it’s clearly no longer meant for a slow dance or a first kiss.

Jackson and I exchange sheepish smiles.

The rest of the night, I try to push away the thought that I’ve never been kissed like that. Not once in my whole life.

Chapter 8

Jackson

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