Page 4 of Twins For My Bestie's Brother

“Fuck me,” I mutter and scrape my hand through my beard. That’s sweaty too.

If I back out now, though, I’ll never do it. There have been exactly three times I’ve had the impulse to cross the line and askLily out. The first was my junior prom, right before I found out that she was dating Will Scorttello. I worked up the nerve and asked Kayla if she’d be mad if I went for her friend, and then she dropped the bomb. That just about killed me then and there.

The second was when I was on a business trip to Seattle a few years ago, and I thought maybe showing up out of the blue could convince her that she should leave Will and give me a chance, a romantic gesture that only works in the movies.

The third was today in the middle of my bike ride. It’s the first time I’ve had the impulse since Lily moved back to Cider Bay. I didn’t want to rush, didn’t want to be the rebound. Now, six months on since her breakup, I’m starting to think it’s time. Or else I might lose my chance.

I moved back to Cider Bay a year and a half ago for a reason. I’m ready to settle down. Well, the real reason was Kayla. She wouldn’t move up to Toronto where I’d set up most of my business ventures. Now that all of them are self-sustaining, I don’t need to be there anymore. Instead, I can focus on virtual means of income. And . . . relax. Enjoy the life I’ve set up for myself and my sister.

It seemed as good a time as any to come back to Cider Bay.

I’ve been waiting for inspiration to strike, to give me that cosmic push to ask Lily out. And today, mid-three-hour bike ride, sweat slicking my entire body, I got that cosmic push. I’m not afeelingstype of person. Intuition when it comes to things outside my business is not common for me.

Which means I have to follow this gut feeling.

Dammit.

The one thing I have going for me is I’m wearing my skintight cycling jersey and shorts which show off my frame. That’s a point in my favor, hopefully.

I roll my shoulders back, lift my head high, and head inside. No going back now.

I pull open the door and force myself to smile, though my heart is threatening to combust in my chest. However, not even half a step into the store, and I’m frozen in place.

I expected Lily to be alone behind the counter, her curly hair probably shadowing her face as she draws in her sketchbook, her muscles subtly flexing making her tattoos dance.

Instead, she’s accompanied by my sister. And my high school girlfriend, if you can even call Tia Worthing that.

The universe really knows how to knee you in the balls.

All three women are staring at me, albeit with different expressions. Kayla smiles manically, her eyes trying to saysomethingto me that I don’t understand. Tia’s face is almost blank if not for her downturned, gaping mouth. And Lily’s eyes are so wide, I’m afraid they might fall out of her head.

“Um, have I interrupted something?” I ask, ready to retract my half-step, hop on my bike, and ride off into the distance forever out of embarrassment.

Tia clenches her fists at her sides. “You’re datingLily Bolton?”

I shake my head. Did I hear that right?Dating? Present tense? I look to Lily. “Hi, Tia. Good to see you.”

Tia screws up her forehead, squiggly lines appearing in impossible patterns. “Is this some kind of joke?”

Lily covers her eyes with her hand. “Oh, my God.”

Kayla nods at me from behind Tia and mouths, “Yes. You are.”

I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but clearly, it’s my sister’s doing. “No, not a joke. I’m . . . dating Lily.”

Tia’s head dips forward, disbelief painting her face. Meanwhile Lily peeks over the hand she’s been hiding behind in shock.

I walk further into the store. “Was just . . . stopping by to say hi.”

Kayla nods at me, her maniacal smile not fading.

She’s got a lot of explaining to do, but for now, I’m not going to cross her or Lily when it comes to Tia Worthing.

“How long has this been going on?” Tia asks, anger infusing her voice.

I shrug. “Oh, gosh, well . . . ”

Lily finally lifts her eyes to mine, a forest of hazel. “Just a couple . . . ”

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