Page 56 of Just Another Meet Cute
Buzz.Another text.
I have two older sisters, Anh and Grace. One younger twin brother, Ryan, who is exactly seven minutes younger than me. We were born around midnight, so we actually have different birthdays. And I have one younger sister, who you already know too well.
And I agree with you. This question is a bit of a waste, but you answered it so I have to, too.
That’s all you get for today.
I had to reread his texts over a few times to be sure. But once I realized what he was doing, a reluctant smile crossed my face. I picked up my phone to text him back, but I couldn’t figure out what to say.
Seeing my smile, Mom peered over my shoulder. “Who’s that?”
My hand shifted a bit to cover the screen. “Oh, Ian. He was texting me about something we talked about yesterday.”
Her right eyebrow lifted into a perfect arch. “Uh-huh. So let me get this straight again. He’s the one you met on the hike and liked at first.”
“I didn’tlikehim. I thought he was nice. And funny. And kind of cute.”
“But you’re dating his brother, Ryan, now. After you saved his life.”
Not liking where this conversation was going, I gathered up the bowls and moved toward the sink. “Sort of …”
“YetIanwas the one who drove you home yesterday and walked you to the porch. And he’s texting you now.” She cleared her throat a few times. “And none of this is weird to you?”
“No, because he’s myfriend.” At least he was as of yesterday, but she didn’t need to know that.
Mom didn’t say anything else. Not until I turned around to face her. Her arms were crossed against her chest and she smirked at me. “Friend, huh?”
My eyes narrowed. “What?”
One of her shoulders rose innocently. “I think it’s interesting, that’s all. Can’t I take an interest in my favorite daughter’s life?”
“I’m youronlydaughter. And no, not with that look on your face.”
“What look? This is my face!”
Before I could explain to her exactly what thelookwas, Linh poked her head into the kitchen. Her hair was swept up into a messy bun that flopped back and forth behind her head. “Hey, Nina, someone’s here to see you.”
“Who?”
“Ryan.”
Beside me, Mom snorted loudly. Twice. “Of course. That sounds right.”
Deliberately NOT looking at her, I pulled my hair out of the ponytail and combed my fingers through my hair. “I’ll go talk to him. You two stay here.”
“But—”
I whipped around and pointed my finger at Mom. “And don’t watch us on the doorbell camera. Yesterday was bad enough.”
Linh’s eyes widened, and she slid in the kitchen closer to Mom. “Wait, what happened yesterday?”
Shooting a quick glance at me, Mom shook her head. “Nothing happened. What should we eat for dinner? Do you think we should call your mom? Or maybe order some pizza?”
“Oh, I don’t know if she’ll—”
She didn’t fool me one bit. I knew that as soon as I left the kitchen, Mom would tell Linh everything. But at least the gossiping would distract them enough so they wouldn’t spy on me. It was the lesser of two evils.
Ironically, Ryan was leaning on the porch banister in the exact position that Ian was in last night. Even though I knew they looked different—that theyweredifferent—there was no denying that there were times when they looked the same. The way they lifted their head to look at me. The little smile on their faces that were mirror images of each other. Even the way they shoved their hands in their pockets was the same.
