I’m feeling good. Too good.
If it were just Max and me here, pretending to be a couple, it might be easy to let myself have the kind of fun that Ana’s always reading and talking about.
The man is attractive, and appealing in every way. He’d be easy to fall for—so it’s a good thing that his brother has come along, too.
CHAPTER 24
CALLIE
When we’re back at the party and my sister finds me to ask a question about the photo booth for the reception, Max excuses himself to go to the restroom, promising he’ll be right back.
It seems that only a few minutes pass before he reappears at my side, but it’s not Max—it’s Miles.
I carry on the conversation with Sadie as usual, hoping she doesn’t notice when I stiffen. Miles joins in, commenting on the music and the food, mentioning how good the chicken satay skewers were, when it was actually his brother who ate one.
Their coordination is impressive.
When Sadie’s called away by our mom, Miles steps in closer, his voice low, his brow furrowed. “You know. How can you tell?”
I shrug, looking over the angles of his face, the rich brown of his eyes. “I can just tell. There are small physical differences, but mostly it’s your energy.”
Miles frowns slightly before the corners of his lips turn up in the grin that I associate much more with Max. “Mine is a manlier energy, right? Is that how you can tell?”
I burst out laughing at this unexpected joke and automatically reach out to touch his arm, before reminding myself that it wasn’t Miles I was just cuddling with on the beach.
“How’s the party been going for you?” he asks.
“Good. Mostly because we took a long walk on the beach.”
He nods, and I’m sure the walk was part of the update he received from his brother.
I turn and point out the relatives that Max met, telling Miles their names and conversational highlights, in case there are any gaps in the information he received. Giving him a recap is kind of fun. It makes me feel like I’m part of their prank, and it gives me something to focus on besides talking to my relatives and fielding all of their questions.
When family does come by to talk, Miles is, like earlier, as charming as his brother, and everyone is fooled.
When things are finally winding down and I’m looking forward to going back to the room, my mom flags us down. “Callie, Max, I need your help.”
“What can we do for you, Ms. Baker?”
Mom steps in close and cups her hand next to her mouth to shield what she’s saying from others, even though no one is near us. “Your great aunt Iris has had a bit too much to drink. Would you be able to escort her back to her room to make sure she gets to bed safely?”
As Miles is politely accepting the mission, I scan the area and find my white-haired aunt leaning against the bar. She’s holding a bottle of beer and talking loudly to a couple of younger cousins as well as the bartender.
“I’m afraid she was overserved,” Mom says.
“She’s a tiny lady. It probably wouldn’t take much to get her drunk.”
Mom shushes me. “Keep your voice down. I certainly wouldn’t want Mr. Hargrove to get the wrong impression about our family.”
“Is he even here?” There aren’t many people left, and I don’t see him.
Still whispering, Mom says, “He’s been gone for a while, but he could show up any time.”
“Well, don’t worry about Aunt Iris. Miles and I will take care of her.” It’s only when Mom’s head whips around that I realize I said the wrong name.
“Miles?” She looks back and forth between Miles and me.
Miles hardly misses a beat. “That’s my middle name. Callie likes it, and calls me that sometimes.”
