Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
I start to protest, but she’s not wrong. Closing myself off was a choice as much as a reactionary response.
“All my teasing and my romance books aside, I think you’re too young to be so jaded. Getting hurt is part of life. You can’t let it hold you back.”
My spine stiffens. “It’s not that simple, Ana.”
“Maybe, but maybe it also doesn’t need to be so complicated. You’ve been working damn hard for all the time I’ve known you. You deserve to have some fun.”
Marissa comes in, and sensing the tone of our conversation, takes a seat at the other end of the couch without saying anything.
I’m inclined to argue with Ana because she’s right—she doesn’t know everything about my past, but her heart’s in a good place. She wants what’s best for me, she just has the wrong idea about what that is.
I do deserve to have some fun, but my idea of fun isn’t getting entangled with men—that’s always complicated, despite what she thinks.
“We’ll see, Ana, but honestly, I’m just not interested.”
“At least let yourself be open.”
She says that as if it’s an easy thing to do. I used to be as open as a blooming flower, and I ended up trampled underfoot.
As Ana leans back, her thoughts expressed, Marissa asks, “Are you worried about passing the men off as your boyfriend in front of your family?”
“I think it’ll go okay. We went over a lot of details in preparation. In fact, I feel like I might know too many random things, like Miles loves marshmallows, Max hates bananas, and they both prefer their steaks cooked medium rare.”
A lot of their similarities became apparent as we learned about each other. They share several of the same mannerisms, like rubbing the back of their neck when they’re thinking hard about something, or tilting their heads when they’re amused. Both brothers are almost obsessive about keeping their house clean, and both have good manners, when Miles speaks instead of grunts.
“What about the twin switching thing? Do you think anyone will know?” Marissa asks. “Can you tell them apart?”
“I can, but only because I got to know them separately, and their personalities are quite different. Physically, you have to look really hard to find any differences.”
Ana’s eyes light up in a way that signals that I’m about to hear more raunchy suggestions that involve getting the twins naked, but to my relief, she stays quiet.
“I hope they won’t do much switching off, because I am worried about slipping up and calling Miles by his name when my family will know him as Max.”
“That would be tricky,” Marissa says. “And how are you feeling about your ex being there?”
I draw a semicircle on the carpet with the tip of my toe. “Sometimes I feel like it’ll be okay. Other times I feel sick about it.”
“Have you told Max and Miles about him?”
That question makes me smile. “Yeah. Max keeps coming up with over-the-top ideas to fill Rick with regret. His latest one is that we start a rumor that I won $50 million in the Powerball lottery.”
Both Marissa and Ana laugh at this.
“I think Max plans to try to make Rick jealous, but I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
Marissa’s brows draw together. “You don’t want him back, do you?”
“God, no. I’m planning to do my best to ignore him altogether.”
“That sounds like a smart plan,” Ana says. “Do whatever you need to do to make the best of it.”
“I’m feeling better about it all than I was a week ago. Max and Miles should be a good diversion.”
Ana gives me a knowing smile, but stays quiet.
“I can’t wait to hear how their switching scheme goes,” Marissa says.
I was worried about that at first, but after spending more time with them, I’m slightly more concerned about my growing attraction to them. It was easier to ignore their good looks when I thought they were one man who had a wildly inconsistent personality. Now I know better.
The more I learn about them, the more I like them.
But I’m sure nothing will happen between me and either of them. My ex’s presence at the wedding will serve as a strong reminder of why I shouldn’t get involved with men.
CHAPTER 18
MAX
Ifind a spot on Callie’s street with two minutes to spare, and use the extra time to check messages. There’s a question from Miles, who’s still packing things at the beach house and will join us at the resort later today. I send off a response and tuck my phone into my pocket before walking up to Callie’s door and knocking twice.
There’s a shuffle of footsteps before she answers, looking beautiful as a summer day in a short, flowery yellow dress, her bare legs drawing my attention before I pull my eyes back up to her face.