“So what is it you’d like to talk about?” Annie said after they’d hung up their coats and removed their boots. “Is it Jude, by any chance?”
Heat rushed to Angela's cheeks as she followed Annie into the living room. "Is it that obvious?"
"I've seen the way you look at him." Annie settled onto the couch, tucking one leg beneath her. "And I've definitely noticed how he looks at you when he thinks no one's watching."
Angela's heart skipped. "How does he look at me?"
"Like you're a beautiful sunrise after the longest night." Annie picked up a cookie from the plate Angela had brought. "It's the same way Cole looks at me, which is how I recognized it from Jude."
Angela sank into the armchair across from her twin, trying to process this information. She'd been so uncertain about Jude'sfeelings, constantly second-guessing every interaction, every lingering glance.
"I don't know what to do," she admitted. "There have been times when I thought maybe he felt something too, but then he’s pulled away."
Annie nodded thoughtfully. "Jude takes his responsibilities very seriously. He probably thinks having feelings for you conflicts with his job."
"That's what I was afraid of." Angela twisted her hands in her lap. "I don't want him to feel like he has to choose between me and his work."
"Is that why you wanted to talk to me? For advice about Jude?"
"Partly." Angela took a deep breath. "I also wanted to talk to you about… us. About being sisters. Twins. I feel like we've barely gotten to know each other at all."
Annie's expression softened, and she set her cookie down. "I know. I've felt the same way. It seems like it should be easier. That we should have this instant connection because we're twins, but instead, we're practically strangers."
"Exactly." Relief flooded through Angela at being understood. "Everyone expects us to be close right away, but it's not that simple."
"It's weird, isn't it?" Annie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear—the same nervous gesture Angela often made herself. "Looking at someone who has your face but isn't you."
Angela nodded, studying her twin. It was like looking in a mirror, but not quite. Annie's hair was long and straight, and while her style was mostly casual, her clothes were clearly quality. Her posture was more confident.
They had the same raw materials, but very diverse life experiences had molded them into different people.
"I want to know you," Angela said softly. "The real you, not just what everyone else says about you."
"I want that too." Annie leaned forward. "It's just been… overwhelming. I spent my whole life as an only daughter, and suddenly I have a twin sister. I knew you existed, but having that knowledge is different from facing the reality. Plus, I've been so wrapped up in my relationship with Cole."
"I understand," Angela assured her. "You have your own life. I don't expect you to drop everything for me."
"But I should have made more effort." Annie's voice was tinged with regret. "It's just—I don't always know what to say. What to ask. But right now, I can maybe help you a little with Jude.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Angela said. “Anything that might give me some insight into who he is.”
Annie leaned back against the couch cushions. "Well, I've known Jude since I was a little girl. He's always been… steady. The kind of person who's there when you need him."
Angela nodded, drinking in every detail about the man who occupied so much of her thoughts. "I’ve definitely gotten that feeling about him."
"He takes his responsibility to our family seriously—maybe too seriously sometimes." Annie's expression grew thoughtful. "After his dad died, Dad made sure that Jude knew he had a home with us. So he was a bodyguard first, then moved into the role of head of security. I’m sure he’s felt pressured to fill his dad’s shoes."
And that was what worried Angela the most. That his devotion to the Burke family and his job would mean he wouldn’t be willing to consider entertaining any sort of personal relationship with her.
"He’s only talked a little about his dad."
"That’s actually more than I would have thought he would. They were incredibly close. When Mr. Kessler died, Jude shut down for a while. He was barely an adult, but he was determined to follow in his dad’s footsteps." Annie brushed some crumbs from her lap. "And he’s good at it. Dad trusts him completely."
Angela tried to imagine a younger Jude, grieving but determined, taking on such enormous responsibility. It made his devotion to duty make more sense.
"Has he… been with anyone? He said he didn’t have an ex-wife or a current girlfriend, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t had an ex-girlfriend.” The question felt intimate, almost invasive, but Angela needed to know.
Annie shook her head. "There was someone years ago, but I don’t think he’s had a serious girlfriend since then. It’s possible he’s been dating, but if so, he hasn’t brought them around or even mentioned them.”
