“There’s got to be a way it works out. Maybe nothing happens here, we turn in all of our information and get ourselves off the case.”
“How would we explain that?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll work something out. We have to.”
He gives me a dubious look as he hands me the headphones. He inserts an earbud, then picks up a gray suit jacket identical to the one I’m wearing. “I’ll be watching them. I’ll cue you in if the new guy shows up, or if any of them leave the reception.”
Before Miles can leave, I grab his arm. “Are you sure you’re prepared?”
He pats himself down and checks his ear. “Yeah. Got everything.”
“No, I mean for the dancing. I danced with Callie at the pool party. You’re going to need to try to look as smooth as me.”
My brother rolls his eyes and gives my shoulder a half-hearted shove before he heads to the door.
“Have fun,” I call after him.
CHAPTER 54
MILES
Iwish dancing was my main concern tonight. Or our twin switching stunt.
Better yet, I wish I was on a normal date with the girl I’m falling hard for, but the life my brother and I chose isn’t meant to be easy.
If Max were the one attending this reception, he might find a way to balance work and pleasure, but balance has never been my strength, in yoga class or out.
Max is overly optimistic about our ability to get through this situation without hurting Callie, but I really hope he can find a way, because I can’t see one.
The whole situation is somehow made even more difficult by how gorgeous she looks tonight. I’ve heard people joke that bridesmaid dresses are meant to be ugly, but she looks like an angel. She outshines the bride without trying.
Right now, all eyes are on her as she makes a speech about the married couple, but watching her is an agonizing mix of pleasure and pain. When she returns to the table, I tell her she did a goodjob, but I was too preoccupied to hear most of what she said. She made people laugh several times, which is pure Callie.
The seating arrangements have us at the opposite end of a long table from her ex, which is a relief. That lowlife hasn’t even dared to make eye contact with Callie, and things had better stay that way.
Right after our main course dishes are set in front of us, Callie leans in close. “Are you okay? You seem distracted tonight.”
“Oh. Sorry. I’m fine.”
Her eyes continue to search my face. “Is everything alright … after last night?”
The question is like a punch to the gut. I want to tell her that last night was the best night of my life, but voicing that would only make things worse. “Everything’s fine.”
She’s not reassured, and Max probably should have been the one to attend this event, but then I’d be losing out on spending time with her.
She tips her head toward the panel of windows that line one wall of the room. “Would you like to get some air?”
I look down at my plate, at the food I have no appetite for. “We shouldn’t leave during dinner.”
“It’s okay. Sadie and Adam are up mingling, and others are, too. No one will notice.”
We get up, and she leads me through the maze of tables, right by her Aunt Iris, who winks at the two of us and grabs Callie’s arm to tell her that she’s glowing, and it’s true. She is.
Outside, we start down the path that will circle back to the door.
Callie looks up at me with her big warm eyes. “I hope last night didn’t make things uncomfortable between you and Max.”
“No, it didn’t, Callie. I promise.” I squeeze her hand to emphasize my words. I can tell that she’s now worried about how things are between her and me, but I can’t bring myself to reassure her, not when I might be leading her on.
