Dressed identically in faded jeans and black, button-up dress shirts, Brendan and Breckin lean against opposite sides of the door frame. Sleeves rolled up halfway with the top couple buttons undone, they’re a real life fantasy, multiplied by two. Brendan’s stubbled chin, blue eyes, and messier hair compared to Breckin’s clean shaven, styled appearance and green eyes are the only differences between them.
“Missed you, Sweetheart,” Breckin states, pushing off the frame before leaning down to kiss me. His soft lips melt against mine, breathing air into my starved lungs.
When we finally break apart, Brendan eyes me hungrily. With a smirk on his face, he stalks toward me, devouring my lips with his rough ones. “Ready?” he asks once we pull apart.
“Um,” I glance down at myself, still in the same leggings and shirt from yesterday, “I’m going to need a bit.”
“Take all the time you need.” Breckin places a tender kiss on my cheek, then gives his brother a pointed look.
“We’ll be waiting here,” Brendan seconds, kissing my other cheek before waltzing into my living room and plopping down on the couch. He leans back and stretches his legs out, yet the gleam in his eyes as he tracks my every move tells me he’s anything but fine waiting.
Swallowing, I force air into my lungs and nod. “It won’t take long.”
Spinning around, I head down the hall toward the bathroom. In no time, I pull on a flowery sundress. Staring in my mirror, I pout. Plain and simple, it’s not the reflection I hoped for, even with the feminine dress.At least my burn has faded enough it’s barely noticeable and doesn’t hurt any more.
“Let’s see if I can work some magic.” Grabbing my makeup bag, I sit down at my dressing room chair. Going all out, I apply a full smokey eyeshadow and even add pink lipstick, then curl my hair. Yet, when I step back and take it all in, all I can do is shrug. I’m still not the woman I imagine they would choose.
“It doesn’t matter,” I shake all my negative thoughts from my mind, “they want to go out with me.”
Nodding to my personal pep talk, I slip on a pair of sandals and grab a white purse. Without taking another glance in the mirror, I head out of my room and toward the living room.
“Wow,” they state in unison, both scrambling to stand up.
“You look . . .”
“Like summer,” Brendan finishes for him. They share a long look before their eyes once again find me. Like fire licking my flesh, their gaze scorches a path along my bare arms and legs.
“Ready?” I ask, fidgeting with my purse strap.
“I think the question is,” Brendan stalks towards me, his gaze growing more intense with each step, “are you?”
I swallow, refusing to blink.
Stopping inches in front of me, he stares downward watching my chest fall with each labored exhale. “Well, Little Girl, are you ready for tonight?”
“W-what’s tonight?”
“Just a romantic date at the festival,” Breckin interrupts, giving his brother another look.
Without missing a beat, Brendan holds out his hand. “Are you prepared to be wooed by the fine dinings of greasy food trucks and fair food, enchanted by only slightly rusty carnival rides, and mesmerized by my dart throwing capabilities?”
“What?” I laugh, unable to hide my amusement as all traces of tension dissipate.
“Ready to have a good time?” he rephrases.
“Yes.” I smile and bat my eyelashes as I take his hand.
With his other hand, he adjusts himself and leads me toward the door. I just shake my head, still laughing.
“Hat and shades?” Breckin asks, his hand resting on the doorknob.
I glance outside. The sun hangs low in the sky, deep oranges mixing with gold as it makes its way toward the horizon. I guess it took me longer than I anticipated to get ready. “I think just sunglasses.” I force a smile, my laughter drying up at the slight reminder.
I force it a little wider as he hands me my sunglasses and holds open the door. It’s not his fault. He’s only trying to help, being thoughtful. Inhaling the fresh, salty air, I push all thoughts of my shortcomings aside. Tonight, I’m just a girl out on a date. Out in public with two men, somehow, that hardly makes it better. But at least everyone will be staring because of them, not because I’m some freak.
As we stroll down the busy promenade toward downtown, I keep glancing side to side at both of them. “So, what's with the matching outfits?” I ask after I can’t ignore it any more. I know they’re twins and all, but I’ve never seen them dress the exact same.
“I got dressed first,” Brendan blurts, “he refused to change.”