Page 97 of Flirty Fall Fling

“I’ve been thinking about you all day,” I confess.

His eyebrows lift upward. I take my finger off his mouth and rest both hands on his chest, then slide one hand low over the front of his jeans.

“I told you I was starving,” I murmur.

He makes a sound that reminds me of a teakettle.

“Okay.” His hands come up to my shoulders, and he’s holding me tight. “Two things. The most important one is: I’m not Jamie. Two, I’d appreciate it if you let go of my nuts.”

He grabs my hand from him and returns his to my shoulders. “I’m very married. And my wife gets jealous when other women touch the crown jewels.”

I take a step back, staring at him. The voice and height are the same. When he tips the ball cap back, the face and scruff are identical. But somewhere in my brain and heart, I can feel there’s something different about him. A plain gold band sits on his left hand, and there’s no mood ring on his pointer finger. I press my hand against his chest where the necklace should be, but it’s bare.

“You’re a clone?” I whisper.

“An identical twin,” the guy says. “I’m Patterson. The better-looking Cross brother. Obviously.”

My mouth slightly parts. “There are two of you?”

“Double the trouble,” he says.

“Yeah, I can imagine.”

“Sorry, my manners. Who are you?”

“Mortified,” I mutter.

“Don’t worry about it. You’re not the first to … ya know,” he says.

“That’s not comforting.”

“It wasn’t meant to be. So, Mortified, you got a real name, or are we sticking with that?”

“I’m Blaire.” I awkwardly shake his hand. “I’m really sorry about the junk grab. I would never …”

“Don’t apologize. Just make sure to tell Jamie that I’m way bigger than he is.”

I’m embarrassed, ready to jump out of my skin. My entire body is on fire. “So much for first impressions.”

“Honestly, it’s something I won’t ever forget.” He rocks back on his heels. “Nothing like getting frisked in an alley by a witch.”

“Ugh.” I roll my eyes.

He lays a hand over his heart. “Now, since you’ve already patted me down, maybe you can answer my next question. Where are you meeting him?”

“At your place,” I say. “For dinner.”

“Ah, so he did mention he had a brother. Got it.” His grin spreads wider. “Is he cooking?”

“He didn’t say; however, my roommate said she saw him shopping. So, if I had to guess, yes.”

“Really?” It comes out with a laugh. “If he cooks you pasta, just know he’s in love with you.”

I shrug. “I’m pretty sure that’s not an option.”

“Pasta? Or him being in love with you?” He nods his head toward a black SUV parked crooked outside the coffee shop. “Want a ride? Seems we’re headed to the same place.”

I should say no, let Jamie know his brother is here, and that I’ll take a rain check. But curiosity gets the best of me, so I take him up on his offer.