Page 53 of Sweet Twins For My Brother's Best Friend

“Listen, I just need you to know—”

“Can we sit down? Before anything else, I really need to tell you something.”

Hesitation and concern cross his ocean-blue eyes, so blue they look like colored glass.

“Is everythingng okay, Han?”

He takes it upon himself to release Lucy from her leash, and she rewards him with a few licks on the back of his large hands.

A memory flashes through my mind of his hands on me, his fingers inside me. I suppress it and sit down on his plush white couch, tucking my legs beneath me.

“everythingng’s okay. everythingng’s fine. Come sit, okay?”

Chris’s steps are hesitant as he advances toward me.

He sits down, his body so close that I can feel the heat emanating off him.

His thigh touches mine gently, small places of connection that have me leaping out of my skin. I keep wondering if we’re going to have a repeat performance or if it was a one-time thing.

“I’m on the edge of my seat here, Hannah. Let me have it.”

The words feel stuck in my throat, like they’ll change everythingng. They will. I know they will. But for the better, I think.

“I met with Julie.”

“I—why would you do that?”

The question’s fair. Last we spoke about her, I was keeping it a secret that she was even in town, and now I’m telling him that I voluntarily went and spoke to her.

I’d have more than a few questions if it were me, but the maturity of his age is showing. I feel like I can physically see him holding back, keeping his cool.

“I just kept thinking about what you told me about her abandoning Noodle. I felt so bad for you, especially seeing you with Lucy. I wondered if I could find her for you.”

As if on cue, Lucy comes and rests her head on Chris’ leg. He pets her face instinctively, his eyes still on me.

“That was so sweet of you,” he says gently, his voice dripping with tenderness, “but I think that ship sailed. It was five years ago, Hannah.”

“Well,” is all I say as I gather my thoughts.

“Well, what?” he smirks.

Before I can answer, he reaches out his hand and trails just the very tips of his fingers down my neck.

A shiver goes through my body, and he smirks even more, his eyes smoldering.

“What did you find out, my little detective?” His fingers brush my jawline. “Do you know you have five little freckles right…here?” He cranes his head toward me and kisses my jaw.

My body reacts, flushing a bright pink. I want so badly to drop the conversation right here and now, to sit on top of him and kiss him and feel him. But I know this is more important than that.

“She dropped Noodle in a dumpster by the art district.”

He recoils from me. “Why would you tell me that?” he asks, furrowing his thick brows in an expression of genuine pain.

“Oh! No, I’m sorry.” I stroke his face. “I didn’t tell you to be mean. It’s just that I found Lucy in a dumpster in the art district.”

“Okay? Hannah, I’m not following.” He readjusts, and I can tell he’s holding back, waiting for me to make sense.

“I found Lucy five years ago.” I keep my eyes on his, waiting to see the realization settle.

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