Page 52 of Sweet Twins For My Brother's Best Friend

I pull out my phone and dial Hannah's number, my heart beating a rapid tattoo against my ribs as the phone rings. Once, twice, three times. She picks up, and my heart leaps at her voice.

“Chris?”

“Hannah! Can we talk?”

“Why are you whispering? Are you with her right now?”

The fear from just a moment before leaps back into my throat.

I hadn’t realized I was whispering. Something about the quiet corner had me quietly talking directly into the phone, my hand cupped around it.

“I’m just in public. I’m trying to be polite.”

“Oh yeah? Then say something in a normal voice.”

Sighing, I raise my volume. “We need to talk. I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Can we talk?”

Silence at the other end. But only for a moment.

“Of course. I’ll be at yours in an hour.”

Chapter Twenty Three

Hannah

Armed with my painting and Lucy again, I feel a bit lighter this time, though I’m unsure why. It’s entirely possible our “misunderstanding” is that I thought we were together.

But I hope not.

Once again, I hit the little metal button. Once again, I hear the buzz ring through. This time, his voice calls out, tinny through the speaker, “Yes?” and I feel a little jolt.

“It’s me,” I respond, and the familiarity in the statement –me, you know me– makes me smile in spite of myself.

Even in the midst of everythingng going on, Chris’ presence calms me.

“Oh! Come on up!” He sounds so joyful, and I wonder if he feels the same about me, if my voice comforts him.

I slip into the elevator with Lucy, and she sits next to me happily, her tail wagging and her body wriggling.

I always wondered why she seemed so happy around Chris, and now it seems obvious. Of course she was. She instinctively remembered him.

When we reach the door, he opens it before I even knock, his face flushed and his aura chaotic.

“Hi. I’m so sorry.”

He wraps me up into a bear hug, his fingers tucked into my waist, his nose against my neck. He’s warm and soft, and he kisses me lightly.

His eyes scan over to Lucy and light up. “And hello to you!”

The back of Lucy’s body wiggles chaotically with the energy of her excitement, her tail slamming against me as she tippy taps over to him, sniffing him and licking at his pant legs.

Chris crouches down to be on her level and pats her all over.

I feel my heart warming seeing him and Lucy together again. He always seems so at ease with her, like a younger version of himself. I think I can see what he would have been like as a young boy when he’s with her.

I hesitate to bring a tsunami wave crashing down on the moment, but I know I have to.

“Hi.”

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