Page 12 of The Banshee’s Unmistakable Love

Gently, I ask, “What about you?”

She takes a deep breath, her hands clasping in front of her as her fingers get to work picking at any dryness around her nails, a nervous habit she’s always had. “I’m not Blair…I’m Briar. And I’m so sorry I lied to you. I don’t know why I did it. I just, my brain stopped working when I saw you, and then I didn’t know how to fix it. And when I did try to fix it, the scream…”

As tears stream down her cheeks, I can’t help the little chuckle that leaves me.

Her breathing seems to calm instantly, and she takes a shaky breath. “What’s so funny?”

So, she really has no idea about my feelings, otherwise, she would know that I could never get her and Blair confused.

I think it’s about time I tell her, and finally put an end to all the pretending I’ve been doing my entire life.

Finally.

Chapter 7

THE KISS OF FOREVER

BRIAR

Why did he laugh? Is he so angry that he can’t even process his emotions? Nothing I said was funny.

This is bad, so bad.

All I can do is watch and wait for his reaction to my confession. Gods, please don’t let him hate me. This was a mistake, wasn’t it? I’ve ruined it all?

My heart races as he takes a few steps toward me, closing the distance. “I knew it was you, Briar. How could I not know it was you?”

Wait, he…what?

He knew the whole time it was me, not my sister? And he just let me pretend? And he’s not mad?

Am I hallucinating this? Did I faint and go to some sort of twisted banshee dreamland?

My head defies my heart, shaking ever so slightly as I stare up at him. “But when you first saw me, and ever since then, you’ve called me Blair.”

He lets out a nervous laugh, shrugging his shoulders a few times in a row. “I thought it was going to be a funny joke, since it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. But then you went with it, and I was confused, so I had to play along to see why you did.”

Did he really know it was me that day? He must’ve, since he didn’t freak out at all when I confessed to lying. Is it even a lie if he knew the truth the entire time?

Regardless, I don’t even know why I did it, why I pretended I was Blair. Nerves got the better of me in that moment—and then again in every moment afterward.

I’m just thankful that my nerves don’t appear to have ruined…whatever our relationship is.

“How did you know?” The words leave me quietly and with little thought. I don’t revoke the question, though. I want to know—need to know—if he truly can tell the difference between my twin sister and I.

He gives me a small smile, his cheeks gaining a rosy hue. “You wear silver jewelry—always have—but Blair wears black. Your hair is always down, always covering part of your beautiful face.”

He thinks I’m beautiful?

“Your perfume is complicated, like you, not smelling like something simple and easy to identify, like rose or vanilla. You smell like the stars and the moon, doused in sugar and dipped in flames, all at the same time.”

He thought that deeply about my perfume?

“Your hips swivel when you walk, even if you scurry around half the time.” Suddenly, his hands snake under my chin, gently holding my face. “And I’m pretty sure if I were to kiss you right now, I’d taste blueberry lip balm.”

My heart pounds through every nerve in my body. Zander’s face is inches away from mine, his soft hands holding me in a way I’ve always dreamed of.

Through a nervous breath, I say, “I think you should check if you’re correct.”