Page 194 of Double Daddies
“Wren,” Ezra greets me, his voice low and smooth like dark chocolate. “I’m Ezra and this is Elijah.”
I nod then scrunch my nose. “How—” I’m momentarily fearful and confused until he points to my nametag.
“Oh, right. Hi,” I manage to reply, my voice sounding smaller than I’d hoped. “It’s nice to meet you both officially. What can I get you?”
The corner of Ezra’s mouth quirks up, a hint of amusement flickering across his face.
“I’ll have a black coffee," Ezra says, leaning casually against the counter. “No sugar, please.”
“Same for me,” Elijah echoes, his eyes never leaving mine. “But with sugar. Life’s too bitter without a little sweetness, don’t you agree?”
I nod, trying not to let his words affect me as I prepare their drinks. The room is suddenly too warm, too small, with them standing so close. I can smell their colognes mixing in the air, a heady blend of woodsy notes and spice that makes my head spin.
I set their cups in front of them, the steam curling lazily in the air between us. “Anything else I can get you?”
“Actually,” Ezra begins, “we wanted to talk to you about something.”
His words send a jolt of unease through me. The last time I had a serious talk with someone, it didn’t end well. I swallow hard, my eyes darting between them.
“Is something wrong?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
Elijah steps forward, his expression more serious now. “Not at all,” he answers, his tone reassuring. “We just... Well, we wanted to ask you out.”
I stare at him, my mind reeling.Did he really just say that?
Both of them?
Together?
“I’m sorry?” I stammer, my cheeks heating up.
Ezra sighs, shooting a look at Elijah. “What my brother is trying to say,” he begins, his voice measured, “is that after yesterday, we want to get to know you.”
I blink, still trying to process their words. It feels like the floor has dropped out from beneath me, leaving me suspended in disbelief.
“I’ve never been propositioned like this before,” I finally manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Ah, we’re one of a kind,” Elijah jokes, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. “The best kind, in fact.”
I can feel their eyes on me, appraising, curious. It makes me feel both vulnerable and strangely powerful, as though their interest could crumble or ignite at any moment.
“So twins, huh?” I observe, trying to change the conversation to a safer topic. “That must have been … interesting growing up.”
“It had its moments,” Ezra says, his tone dry and measured. “Shared birthdays, shared clothes, shared everything, really.”
“Everything?” I echo, a nervous laugh escaping me.
“Most things,” Elijah corrects, his smile widening as though he’s enjoying some private joke. “We’re closer than most, but we do have separate lives, too.”
I nod, my mind struggling to wrap itself around the concept. They’re not just twins; they're two halves of a whole. The way they move together, their gestures in sync, their words flowing one after the other—it's like watching a dance, graceful and mesmerizing.
The bell above the door chimes again, and a new customer walks in. I’m grateful for the distraction, and the opportunity to break away from their intense gazes.
“I should get back to work,” I say, trying to keep the nerves out of my voice. “Thanks for coming by.”
They exchange a look, a silent conversation passing between them.
“Of course,” Ezra says, his voice softening. “Think about it, won’t you?”
