Zoe's POV
I shut the curtains in one swift motion, I stumbled back from the window like it had burned me. My heart was thumping wildly in my chest. What the hell was I thinking?
I dropped onto my bed face down, groaning into my pillow. Maybe if I buried myself deep enough into it, the world would open up and swallow me whole. I felt so ridiculous. Worse than ridiculous—I felt pure shame.
Why did he have to look so damn good? And why did he have to catch me ogling him a second time like some thirsty fangirl? And why the hell did his gaze feel like a dagger, slicing straight through every inch of confidence I had left?
"Ugh!" "Not again!" I groaned, turning onto my back and staring at the ceiling like it held the answers to life's most humiliating moments.
I tried to convince myself that maybe he didn't see me as clearly as I thought. Maybe it was a coincidence. Maybe he just happened to look up, not realizing I was there. But that icy glare… no, that wasn't accidental. He knew I was watching him.
And the worst part? Our eyes met again. This was the third time, each moment more awkward than the last.
I slapped my palm over my face. Right! It would have been better if I were actually Chloe—the gorgeous, flawless, and unapologetically confident twin. She's the kind of girl that guys like Brandon pay attention to, not Zoe, the impostor. I feel like a fraud—the girl who can hardly make eye contact.
I rolled over and picked up the throw pillow beside me, hugging it tightly to my chest. My thoughts were spiraling, and no amount of logic was slowing them down.
Suddenly, a knock at the door jolted me upright.
I froze.
Another knock. Firmer this time.
I sprang to my feet, smoothing my hair, even though I wasn't sure why I cared. I walked to the door and opened it slowly, expecting Madison maybe, or Margaret coming to check on me.
But it was neither of them.
It was Seth.
Standing there in a black t-shirt that clung to his torso, his hair tousled like he hadn't bothered to stretch it in a long time. He wore a vivid smile.
My mouth dried up instantly.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he said, his voice low and even. Both hands inside his pocket
I stood frozen. My stomach dropped.
"No. Not at all," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
He tilted his head slightly, as if studying me. "You look um… lost in thought."
"I—um…" I didn't know what to say. I couldn't tell him I was recovering from being caught drooling at Brandon. "Just tired. Long day." I said.
He nodded slowly, then looked past me into the room. I instinctively stepped back, giving him space, he walked in.
"You know," he said, folding his arms across his chest, if you ever need anything, anything at all, you can always reach out."
My cheeks framed a smile, my nerves a little relaxed
He is really nice, different from his brother.
Hmmm…. I'm fine… I said with a shaky voice, my face betraying my words.
He raised an eyebrow, and I could see the excitement in his eyes shut down now. "Well, I'm not offended. Just curious."
I swallowed. "Curious?"
He stepped forward slightly. "You've been avoiding real contact, I wonder why."
That wasn't what I expected.
"I haven't—"
"You have," he said calmly, "and I don't blame you. But if you think I don't understand what you're dealing with then you're underestimating me, Chloe."
My stomach twisted at the sound of my fake name.
My lips parted, stunned, but no sound came out.
He took another step closer, now fully in my space. I could smell the faint scent of cedar and something spicy, masculine. Dangerous.
"I may not know what you've been through, but I know what it's like living here," he continued, "I know a new family can be overwhelming.
His voice dropping to a near-whisper, "But don't we all have to deal with Brandon?"
The smile on his face suggested he was making a joke.
I returned his smile, warmth spreading through me like sunlight breaking through the clouds.
With a playful wink, he turned to walk away, but then paused and glanced back over his shoulder, flashing me a reassuring smile that seemed to cut through the air between us.
"Don't forget, I'm always here," he said, his voice soft and comforting.
I stood frozen in place, my feet seemingly glued to the ground, as my heart pounded like a fervent drumbeat in my chest. Every nerve ending in my body tingled with excitement; he was undeniably charming. Now it made perfect sense why Ashley was so taken with him.
His words resonated within me, feeling sincere and heartfelt, wrapping around my thoughts like a warm embrace.
How could someone as strikingly handsome as he was remain single? The thought nagged at me, and I found it hard to believe he was Gay.
He couldn't be, but there's only one way to find out. I should probably set him up with Ashley.