Page 38 of Twins For My Bestie's Brother

“That’s . . . ” I try to catch my breath. “That’s fine. Mistakes happen.”

Except we both knowthatwasn’t a mistake.

That was entirely on purpose.

Chapter 12

Jackson

Istop pumping my legs, letting the momentum of my bicycle wheels take me down Main Street. As I coast, I take in my surroundings. It’s midmorning on a weekday. Low foot traffic right now, but it will soon thicken with the lunch rush.

My wheels click beneath me, the sound intermingling with my realization of my pounding heartbeat. I’ve been taking longer rides lately since my morning runs have turned into walks.

This morning, Lily didn’t join me. She had to work late on inventory last night and texted me ahead of time. I knew if I went on the walk without her, I’d get depressed, so I opted for an extra-long bike ride instead.

Now, though, I have to see Lily.

You know. Since we’re faking a relationship. That’s the reason. Yep.

The past two weeks we’ve managed to make a lot of appearances around town. The Labor Day festival was probably our best work. We were seen by so many in such a short period of time. It was thrilling, walking hand in hand, sharing lighttouches, and even bickering a bit so people could really buy into the realism of our relationship.

We’ve been so good at it that . . . I’m having trouble knowing fact from fiction.

She is my first and last thought every day. It’s different than how it was before. It used to be a sort of hopeless feeling. Embarrassing, despite me being the only one to know my innermost thoughts.

Now, it’s not just daydreaming about what could be. It’s reflecting on whatis. It’s getting to be too much. I know it. Kayla knows it.

I think Lily knows it too.

So, when I think of her . . . I worry about her. I think about making her day brighter, better, easier.

It’s what I’ve always wanted.

And yet every thought is crested with sadness knowing that it’s temporary. I suppose every relationship is temporary in a way. But this one is temporary in a promised way.

I pull the bike onto the sidewalk and slow down enough to hop off and walk my bike in front of the drugstore. I put down the kickstand and waggle off my gloves before heading inside. I’m too eager to take my helmet off before seeing her.

When the entry bell jangles, Lily looks up at me. I swear her face brightens. At least I hope it does.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

I glance around the store. “Anyone here?”

Lily laughs. “Just my dad in the back.”

“Ah. Good.” I unbuckle my helmet. “Just thought I’d stop by and say ‘hi.’ See if I could be of any assistance in the pretending department.”

Lily leans on the counter, a pen between her fingers and her sketchbook under her hand. From here, I can make out thedetails of her drawing. Looks like a bird. “Oh, well, I guess people can look in through the windows.”

I raise an eyebrow and glance back over my shoulder. “Suppose so.”

Lily says nothing, cocking her head to the side. Her curls tumble to the side.

“Did you . . . ” I take a few steps forward. “Did you sleep well?”

Lily nods her head heavily.

“That’s good.”

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