Page 65 of My Twin Sister's Ex

“It’s great to meet you,” her mom said. “You have a wonderful son. He brought my daughter chocolate when she was sad, so he’s a keeper in my eyes.” I hadn’t realized that she’d been so impressed with that gesture.

My dad eyed me. “You brought her chocolate? How did I not know about this?”

He was probably too busy staying drunk to notice what I was up to.

“It was my idea,” Uncle Ryan said.

“So,” my dad said, looking at Mr. Martin. “What’s your opinion of my son dating your two daughters? Personally, I find it kind of weird, but maybe that’s just me.”

“Dad? Really?” I sputtered.

“What? It’s a legitimate question.”

I didn’t want to hear Mr. Martin’s answer because I was sure it wasn’t going to be good. I knew the guy didn’t like me.

“Well,” Mr. Martin started. “He must be a decent guy if both my girls thought he was good enough to date.”

Were my ears deceiving me? He actually had something nice to say about me? This evening was full of surprises. I was sure my dad’s off-the-wall comments would chase off Jessilyn’s family, but it seemed to have the opposite effect.

Mr. Martin put a hand on my shoulder. “Treat my daughter right, and I’ll let you keep coming around.”

“I plan to, sir.”

He patted my shoulder. “Good. That’s what I like to hear.”

That was it? He wasn’t going to threaten me or anything? No cocking of the shotgun?

“It’s scary to watch your daughter get her first boyfriend. But Jessilyn has had nothing but good things to say about you. I trust her judgment.”

Jessilyn’s eyes glowed when she looked up at her dad.

What about the kiss with Jackilyn? Was he that quick to overlook something like that? The night eventually ended, and I found myself in bed calling Jessilyn later that night.

“Did your parents know about the incident where Jackilyn kissed me at prom?”

“Yes. They both know,” Jessilyn said.

“I have to say, I’m pretty surprised that they were so nice to me. I would have thought that they’d be a lot angrier after that.”

“I explained it all to them,” Jessilyn said. “I told them that it was all Jackilyn acting jealous and vindictive and that you were completely innocent in the whole thing.”

She would do that for me? My heart swelled with gratitude for my sweet girlfriend. “You’re amazing, you know that, right?”

“I am?”

“Mm-hmm. I’m so lucky to have you.”

“Can you believe we’re both going to get an A in drama?”

“I’m pretty sure you were going to get an A anyway,” I said.

She laughed. “Yeah,” she admitted. “But I know you were struggling. You needed that A more than most of the kids there.”

“I don’t know about that. I could have worked harder to earn my A,” I said. “I put all my focus into work and let school go by the wayside.”

“Hey, the past is in the past. What matters now is that you’re going to graduate,” Jessilyn said.

“Well, I still have to clear it with Mrs. Monroe, but it sure looks that way.”

“I’m happy for you, Bennett. I want all the good things for you.”

“I already have all the good things,” I said. And for the first time in a long time, I realized it was true. I had a good life. My dream job, a graduation ceremony in my future, and the most amazing girlfriend a guy could ever ask for.

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