Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 101051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 505(@200wpm)___ 404(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 505(@200wpm)___ 404(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
I look at my watch. I’m late to meet Lilly, Teagan, and Nic at the ice festival. My Nic. Pregnant Nic. I can’t wait to see her. I can’t wait to tell her she doesn’t need to leave, and that a baby doesn’t change anything.
Ethan
I’m late, and the ice festival is packed. I only left the hospital a few minutes later than I expected, but parking was a nightmare, and by the time I found a spot three blocks away, I had a text from Nic asking if I was going to be able to make it. I’m grateful that she understands the reality of my job, but I hate that she thought I might bail on her—tonight or after I found out about the baby.
I can’t wait to tell her I know. I can’t wait to prove she can count on me to stand by her. But first, I want her to experience a Jackson Harbor tradition—the ice festival. I grew up seeing ice sculptures every winter, so I probably take them for granted. I’m already smiling as I imagine watching Lilly and Nic take in the different pieces of art.
I see Nic across the square. Her hair’s down her back in the big curls she puts it in sometimes, and she’s standing in front of an ice sculpture of Olaf from Frozen. I don’t see Teagan or Lilly, so they must be somewhere else together.
Nic’s turned away from me, and I slide my arms around her from behind and nuzzle her neck.
She stiffens, and I immediately drop my arms and step back. “Shit. I’m sorry. I thought you were—”
The woman turns to me, her brow wrinkled in confusion, her lips twisted in a tense smile. Her shoulders drop when she meets my eyes. “Ethan Jackson?”
I can only blink at her. She looks exactly like Nic, but she’s not. I know she’s not. She felt wrong in my arms. She smelled different. And even though her face looks just like Nic’s, there’s something about her that’s just . . . not Nic.
She offers a hand. “It’s so good to meet you! I recognize you from your picture. I’m Nic’s twin sister.”
My breath leaves me in a rush. Of course. She said she had an identical twin sister—the one who’s pregnant with the ex’s baby. I guess I wasn’t prepared for how identical . . . or how different, oddly. I take her hand. “Ethan Jackson.” I shake my head. “Sorry about that. From back there, I thought you were Nic.”
She laughs. “It happens all the time. And I mean all the time. Mom can’t even tell us apart. Gosh, it’s great to finally meet you. I’m just so sorry about what happened, but I appreciate you working with Nic.”
What happened? Is she talking about the wedding? Why is she apologizing to me for stealing Nic’s fiancé? Fuck, if anything, I should thank her. “I’m sorry. What do you mean?”
Her cheeks flush a brighter pink. Just like Nic’s do when she’s embarrassed. But the pink in this woman’s cheeks isn’t nearly as pretty. “I didn’t mean to leave you in the lurch. I’m just glad Nic could fill in while your mom took her trip.”
She’s not making sense, but given her history with Nic, I’m not interested in sitting down for a heart-to-heart anyway, so I don’t question her nonsense. “Yeah, it’s been great having Nic. She’s . . .” Over the woman’s shoulder, I spot Nic in line at the Ooh La La! concession stand with Lilly at her side. She’s bundled up properly for once, a hat covering her head and a scarf wrapped around her neck. Lilly reaches up to take her hand, and they smile at each other.
My heart squeezes, but I force my attention back to the sister. “I’m sorry. Remind me of your name again?”
She shakes her head in amusement. “I’m Veronica.”
“You’re not Veronica.” Is this woman crazy? She already stole Nic’s fiancé but is she trying to steal Nic’s identity now, too?
“I’m Veronica Maddox, Nicole’s sister. The one who was originally supposed to be your nanny?”
“When we were in seventh grade, she hated her teacher and wanted to switch places at school. I agreed to do it because she’d been in trouble so many times I was afraid they’d send her away if she kept it up.”
“You could really pull that off?”
“We’re identical. No one ever suspected.”
She tilts her head to the side. “Ethan? Are you okay?”
Nicole
“Three peppermint hot chocolates.” The barista hands our cups over the counter.
“Come to me, you sugary goodness,” Teagan says, taking them from her hands while I pay. She gives Lilly hers, and Lilly squeals happily and takes her first sip. I dump my change in the tip jar and snag my drink from Teagan before she can get any ideas and double-fist it.