Page 105 of Flirty Fall Fling

“Your heart is racing,” she whispers, threading her fingers through mine. I kiss her knuckles. “Why?”

A wedding herb threw itself off a shelf at our feet, and a stranger told me she was my future and forever. I’ve never believed in signs. But they keep arriving.

She lifts her head off my chest and props her chin on her hand so she can see my face. “No lying, not to each other. That was your rule.”

Every question I’ve asked her, wanting the truth, she’s answered, even the ones that embarrassed her.

“I’m not going to lie to you,” I say. “But I’m also not going to answer.”

“That’s cheating.” She pokes me in the stomach, and I laugh.

“It’s the best I’ve got tonight.”

She studies me. “That’s the response you’re getting next time.”

“I’ll take it,” I say, smiling.

She lowers her head back down and settles against me. “Fine. Keep your secrets, Cross.”

“And you keep yours, Blaire Witch.”

Her thumb goes back to the stone. “Don’t let them turn me into a joke,” she whispers.

“I won’t. I promise.”

I stay awake, holding her as she falls asleep. Tomorrow, I’ll put out the friend statement, give her a twin test, and figure out how to take the pressure away from her friend group. My calendar used to be full of meetings and galas. Now, it’s this, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Actually, I don’t want it to end. But I know it will.

On the nightstand, my phone lights up. I pick it up without letting her go. There are a dozen texts from numbers I don’t recognize and one from my brother.

Patterson

Rumors are spreading. It’s bad. Call me in the morning.

I lock my phone and put it right back where it was. I’ll deal with the bullshit tomorrow. Tonight is still ours.

25

BLAIRE

Iwake up in Jamie’s room with no idea what time it is.

The walls are still frosted and glow a soft white on every side of me, like I fell asleep inside a cloud. It’s the best sleep I’ve had in weeks, and I have him to thank for it.

I roll over, reaching for his side of the bed. It’s cold to the touch.

My dress hangs folded over the chair in the corner of the room. My boots stand beside it. Instead of wrestling with that, I pull his shirt off the floor and put it on. Then I slide on some joggers from a drawer and pull the string as tight as I can.

Two identical voices travel from downstairs. Then I remember yesterday and what happened. I want to forget that photos of Jamie and me are plastered all over the internet and that people are trying to find out who I am. I want to stay a mystery. I want my relationships to do the same.

Then I remember The Tower card. Was that my own reading? I didn’t question it until he did. Maybe we’re just going through it together.

I tuck my hair behind my ears and take the stairs down to the bottom floor. They’re both leaning against the counter, looking a little too identical for my taste. They’re wearing the same charcoal sweater and the same dark jeans. Their hair matches. Both of them are holding the same mug.

“I’ve had benders where I saw double in the morning. Reminds me of my early twenties,” I say, moving to the espresso machine and turning it on. I press the button, letting it auto-grind as I place an espresso glass underneath.

“You like espresso?” one of them asks.

“I worked in a coffee shop for years. I used to take two shots every morning,” I say without turning. “It’s where Autumn met Zane. My two best friends and I gave that place hell every morning.”