Come outside and you’ll see.
I stare at my phone, mulling it over. It sounds ominous, but after last night and the deliciously sore way I woke up this morning, I think it’s safe to say I’ll pretty much do whatever the man asks of me.
Walking through the downstairs to the front door, I go to check my reflection in the mirror Landon replaced not even two days after we broke the first one. I smile and blush a little, my core clenching. Ever since the lasagna incident a week ago, everything with Landon has been unexpectedly amazing. All of it. The words he’s said and the way he’s handled my body. That night and then this entire week since has felt like a turning point. A shift.
Something potentially more than just sex.
Is that even what I want so soon after my divorce?
Shaking off those thoughts, I unlock the door and peek my head out, glancing in the direction of his house. A laugh hits my lips. Landon is standing right there to the side of my door, his arms folded across his chest, his legs crossed at the ankles as he leans against the siding. He studies me, and I give him a second look.
“Luca.”
He grins like a Cheshire Cat. “Glad you remember me. You’re quick to pick up which one of us is which.”
“I’m a twin myself. We catch subtleties others miss.”
“Landon never mentioned that.”
“Probably because I haven’t mentioned it to him yet.”
“Admit it, you guessed so easily because I’m the best looking of all my brothers.”
I roll my eyes, and he smiles, showing off his perfect white teeth.
“Still, I wasn’t sure he’d take my advice. Certainly not so quickly, but it’s good to know he did.”
I shake my head, my brow scrunched. “Huh?”
“You sexted me thinking it was Landon since I confiscated his phone when he wasn’t looking. But you did it in a way that suggested you two have gotten busy since I saw him last, which was like ten days ago, and he hasn’t mentioned a thing to me.”
I blush redder than the Red Sox jacket he’s wearing. “You texted me? Why?”
“You never answered if you’d help me out. I have a favor, remember?”
I sigh, leaning my arm against the doorjamb. “And you said you’d barter for sexual favors.” I raise an eyebrow.
“I meant I’d barter with Landon for those. Act as a liaison. As beautiful as you are, my heart belongs to another, and I’d never go after any woman my brothers are sleeping with.”
“What’s the favor you need?”
“You have to agree to do it before I’ll tell you.”
I laugh lightly, shaking my head. “That’s not how favors work.”
He taps his chin, his expression teasing. “No. I could have sworn it was. So that’s a yes, right? Just so we’re on the same page?”
“Luca—”
“Ellery,” he mocks my reprimanding tone, but he’s not budging. He’s all devious, man with the plan grins.
I sag. “Fine. What do you need from me?” I’m going to regret this; I can already tell.
“Come with us to the Topsfield Fair.”
I blink at him. “That’s the favor? Going to a fair?”
He holds his hand up like he’s not done. “With all of my siblings and their significant others and some of their friends.”
“Oh.” I shake my head. “Yeah, thanks, I’ll pass.”
“Too late. You already agreed.” He pushes off the siding of the house, coming forward to grab my hand and drag me away from my door. “Don’t stress it. We can announce our secret love after everyone has had their requisite corn dog. It’s safer that way for you. They’ll eventually grow to accept you. Our love is strong.”
“Wait.” I pull out of his grasp. “Does Landon know you’re doing this? He won’t like it. He won’t want me to come.” We’re supposed to be a secret, dammit. And going to a fair with his family is… a big deal.
He rolls his eyes impatiently. “Of course, he’ll want you to come.” Then he dips his head as if he’s reconsidering that. “Once he gets used to the idea, he’ll be glad. I think. He’s just too stubborn and self-flagellating to take the initiative and invite you. But the truth is, Landon doesn’t know I’m surprising you like this, and if I know my twin, which obviously I do, he’s going to be pissed. So let’s shake our asses and get a move on. Everyone is waiting for me because I told them I had to make a quick phone call to the office first. But you can’t say no because you already said yes and since this little subterfuge is actually all for Stella, who asked you to join us. We both know you won’t say no to her.”
“God, you and Landon could not be any more different.”
“True, but irrelevant. And did you miss the part where everyone is waiting for us?”
Not us. Him. This could go one of two ways, and I have a feeling despite this week, Landon won’t be happy I’m tagging along. That alone might make it worth it. I get off on ruffling his feathers, if for no other reason than he’s irresistibly endearing when he’s miffed at me. I like his grumpy side, I’m learning. Especially when he’s all growly and looks at me like he’s picturing me naked.
“You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
“I need my purse and to lock up.”
Luca groans. “Do it quickly.”
By the time I grab my purse and change into riding boots instead of the cute flats I was wearing, Luca is glaring at me.
“I said quick, gumdrop. That wasn’t quick.”
My eyebrows hit my hairline. “Gumdrop?”
“Colorful. Sugary sweet. No?” he questions, bewildered at my expression.
“No. Gumdrops are disgusting and should never be a term of endearment, let alone considered a proper candy.”
He rolls his eyes. “Jesus. Only a woman would analyze that so deeply.”
Truth.
“What does Landon call you?”
I laugh. “Elle. He calls me Elle.”
“Fuck, he’s so boring. I’m shocked he doesn’t insist on calling you Ellery. If I didn’t love him more than my own life, I wouldn’t be able to stand the guy. Weird how you went to bed with him thinking it was me all along.” Luca winks at me.
“Not another word on that, Luca. Ever. Again.”
He nudges my side with a cocky smirk I’m positive makes women’s panties melt from their bodies. We walk across the lawn in the direction of Landon’s Range Rover that’s idling in his driveway. Landon’s head snaps up when he senses people approaching his car, and a deep frown hits his lips when he notices me walking alongside his brother.
“This was a bad idea.”
“This was a great idea. Did you know he’s started working on his dream house blueprints again? Talk about boring. The man makes blueprints and schematic sketches, but he hasn’t touched it in years, Elle. Until now. He has fire in his veins again, and if he occasionally needs a nudge to keep that fire from snuffing back out, I’ll do whatever I have to do.”
I think I love Luca Fritz. I think he’s the brother everyone in this world should have. Why couldn’t my twin have been like this?