Page 33 of My Twin Sister's Ex

“I’ll have the same,” Jessilyn said.

“Well, you two are easy today. I’ll get that right out for you.”

“Thanks,” I said. I turned back to Jessilyn to see her watching me intently. “What?”

“Even if we don’t win, I hope we get an A on this project so you can graduate.” She sipped her soda.

“We will. We’re going to work hard, and we’ll get that A. We just have to impress Mr. Brownley.”

“That won’t be easy to do.”

“I’ve noticed. He’s incredibly tough to please.” I cringed inwardly just thinking about it.

“He just wants to push us to do the best we can. He’s actually a really great teacher, one of my favorites. He just has high expectations for us,” Jessilyn said.

“This may sound dumb, but if I don’t graduate, I’d feel like I was letting my mom down somehow.” I couldn’t believe I was admitting this to Jessilyn. But there was something about her that made me feel comfortable sharing.

“That’s not dumb. Just do your best. You can’t change the past. All you can do is move forward.”

“I know. But it would still feel terrible not to graduate.”

“Then we’ll have to work extra hard to make sure you get that diploma.”

My heart warmed at her sweet smile. “You’re an amazing girl. I’m glad to have you as my partner.”

“I’m glad I’m your partner too. We wouldn’t be here right now if Mr. Brownley hadn’t put us together.”

I was surprised to hear her say that. I would have thought she wouldn’t have wanted me for a partner. But maybe she’d had a change of heart about that. She seemed plenty happy to be here now. And I was grateful for that. I was starting to fall for this girl. It was still early, but we were headed in that direction.

Whatever we had starting between us could end in disaster, but enjoying this moment with Jessilyn, sipping our sodas and bonding, was worth any drama that might happen later as a result. I knew right then that I wanted more with Jessilyn.

I looked up at her. “Would you like to be my girlfriend?”

“Oh, wow. I wasn’t expecting you to ask me that.”

My heart stopped. Was this how it felt to be rejected? Was that what was happening?

“I would love that, but I’m not sure you and Jackilyn are really through. I wouldn’t want to do anything to hurt Jacki.”

“I can see how you might feel that way, but Jackilyn made the decision to break up with me. That means I’m free game.”

“I really like you, Bennett, but I’m not sure she’s over you yet. I wouldn’t want to do anything to hurt her,” she said.

“Then don’t tell her.”

“You don’t want to get back together with her?”

“Nope.”

She sat quietly for a moment. “I guess we could keep it a secret. We were planning on it anyway.”

My pulse raced as hope blossomed in my chest. “I really like you.”

“I feel the same way about you. I really like you, Bennett. You’re an amazing guy.”

“So you’ll be my girlfriend?”

“As long as we keep it quiet,” she said.

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