Page 50

Janae frowned. “It’s two hours away.”

“Babe, I’m in Texas. Two hours away is nothing compared to Smalltown, USA. Now, stop being a bitch and hug me.” She threw her arms out, making Janae laugh, but she couldn’t deny how good it felt to melt into her sister’s arms. It had been almost six months since the last time they were together, and Janae did miss Braeden despite her reservations at having her here now.

“You’re still early,” Janae said as she buried her face in Braeden’s neck.

“I’m flexible.” She leaned back and looked at Janae. “Besides, it was either me or Mom.”

“So, you’re here to spy.”

Braeden rolled her eyes. “I prefer the term mediate instead. Me coming is keeping Mom and Dad from panic-buying plane tickets, so you’re welcome.”

“Janae?”

She looked behind Braeden, eyes widening when she remembered she wasn’t alone. Braeden turned and let out a little whistle. “Well, hello there. Is it our birthday?”

Aiden frowned for a moment, looking back and forth between them. Janae braced herself, ready for the words she always heard when someone saw her and Braeden together.

“Are you two identical twins?”

“Excuse me?” Braeden said, her voice sounding almost surprised and a little offended. Aiden blinked slowly before looking between them again.

“Sorry,” Aiden said. “Just, I thought you two would look more alike.”

Janae looked at her sister, who continued to look at Aiden like she had seen a brand-new species of animal that no one knew existed. Finally, Braeden turned to look at her and a grin slowly spread across her lips.

“Your roommate is delightful.”

Janae blinked quickly. “He is, yeah.” She looked over at Aiden. “You really don’t think we look that much alike?”

He shrugged before shaking his head. “You do this little nose wiggle before you laugh.” He nodded his head to Braeden. “She doesn’t.”

Warmth blossomed in Janae’s face. “I do not.”

Aiden smiled and chuckled. “You absolutely do. It’s adorable.”

Janae’s stomach did something absolutely inconvenient, clenching at his words and making her want to hear him compliment her even more.

Braeden cleared her throat. “Aiden, do you mind taking my bag to Janae’s room?” she said. It was obviously a ploy to get him to leave, but Aiden nodded and did as she asked.

“It’s good to meet you. Janae talks about you all the time.”

Braeden’s smile went sharp. “As does she about you.” She kept her eyes trained on him as he carried her bag, disappearing down the hallway. Once he was out of sight, she turned and smacked Janae on the arm.

“Ouch. What was that for?”

“For not telling me how hot he was. You were holding out on me!”

“Lower your voice,” Janae hissed out. “I wasn’t holding out on you. You said he sounded hot.”

“Yes, but you could have confirmed it with a photo or something. Preferably one where he is naked and posed like a French girl on a fainting couch.” Janae couldn’t help but choke out a laugh at the thought. Then again . . . she wouldn’t have minded painting him like a French girl at all. Maybe she could go furniture shopping next weekend. “And he’s observant. The nose wiggle thing? That was some elite noticing. I bet you could change your hair, and he would notice immediately. He’d probably remember what you liked in bed and do it again without having to be told.”

Now that had her attention. She had seen first-hand how right of an observation that was. Something on her face must have given her away because Braeden gave her a knowing look.

“Oh. Oh, my god. You two fucked, didn’t you?”

“Braeden, I swear to god if you don’t—”

“I put your bag in the room,” Aiden said as he reappeared from around the corner. His smile was wide, and Janae forced herself to return it. “I’m going to finish up the extra bathroom. Braeden, you came at the perfect time. It’s officially functional.”