Page 85 of Shattered Secrets

She spied a familiar face at the far end of the block.Oh thank god.

“Look, Daisy. It’s Matt,” she said, pointing down the sidewalk. Her steps faltered when a woman walked out of the store—and straight into Matt’s arms.

Scarlet froze.

Matt bent down and kissed the woman on the lips, then tugged her against his side. With his arm all snuggly around her, they headed Scarlet and Daisy’s way.

Scarlet gripped her daughter’s hand tighter. Holy shit, she was going to be sick.

“Mama? Why is Matty kissing and hugging that lady?”

She glanced down, and the confusion on Daisy’s sweet face was like a punch to the gut. She picked up her daughter, set her on her hip, and hugged her close.

“Um...” Tears welled in her eyes, and a few slipped down her face. Holy crap, she couldn’t breathe. “I don’t know, baby,” she whispered, swiping away the tears.

She needed to move. She needed to be anywhere other than rooted to this spot. Because Matt and his... whatever... were a half block away.

A deep, throbbing pain radiated from Scarlet’s chest. She felt like she was going to die.

“Mama, look!” Daisy cried with glee. “It’s two Mattys!”

Scarlet’s gaze swung back to the couple and?—

She blinked. She wasn’t sure what she was seeing. It was the lovebirds... and Matt. Again.

“Matty!” Daisy screamed, madly waving her splinted arm while clutching Mr. Slothy in her hand.

The Matt who wasn’t holding the other woman turned. His face lit up as he waved at Daisy. But when his eyes shifted to Scarlet, his smile faded. He muttered something to the lovebirds, and before Scarlet could blink, he was in front of her, dropping a kiss to the top of Daisy’s head with a “Hey, Otter Pop.” Then his hands were framing Scarlet’s face and he was pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “My brother and his wife came a day early.”

“Your brother?” Scarlet’s feet remained rooted in place. Things werenotclicking in her brain.

He nodded, and she glanced behind him. The couple was approaching, and the concern in their eyes was evident.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

Adjusting Daisy’s weight on her hip, she let out a breath. “I thought...”That my heart was getting ripped from my chest.“You failed to mention your brother was youridentical twin.”

It should have been comical how Matt’s and Jake’s eyes widened in unison. But it was too soon for her to find humor in the situation.

Matt grimaced. “Oh shi—oot. I’m so sorry, Scar.” He pulled her and Daisy into his embrace.

“Holy crap, Matt,” the other woman chided, shaking her head. “You seriously didn’t mention you had atwin?” She turned to Scarlet with her hand outstretched. “I’m Carmen. Jake’s wife. I’m sorry if our earlier PDA gave you a heart attack.”

Carmen was stunning. She and Scarlet were roughly the same height and body type, but that’s where any similarities ended. Carmen was Asian with long, sleek black hair. Hell, everything about the woman was sleek. Her clothes, her makeup, her jewelry... Not showy at all, but definitely fancy.

“Nice to meet you,” she said, shaking Carmen’s hand. “I’m Scarlet. This is Daisy.”

Carmen smiled at Daisy, then raised an eyebrow at Matt. “He’s usually smarter than this.”

“Not really,” Jake said with a smirk. He held his hand out. “I’m Jake. Matt’s younger and more handsome brother.”

Matt slapped him on the shoulder. “Eight minutes, dude. And we look exactly the same.”

After shaking Jake’s hand, Scarlet watched the brothers playfully bicker. They really did look identical... but they also didn’t. Not only was Matt a bit leaner, but he also held himself differently. She couldn’t quite explain it, but seeing the two of them standing together, she wasn’t sure how she’d mistaken Jake for Matt.

“Matty,” Daisy called out, reaching for him.

He took Daisy in his arms and popped her on his hip. “Otter Pop, what do you think? Am I taller than my brother, Jake?” He nodded at her, mouthing,Yes.

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