Page 6 of The Holiday Exchange
He sputters. “Why?”
“You’re not supposed to ask that when someone does you a favor,” I tease.
“I’m serious. Why?”
I sigh. “Because it sounds fun. I don’t have a lot of fun in my life. My brother…you know how he is. He’s the life of every party. He would immediately agree to do something like this if he thought he would enjoy it. Maybe I want to be more like him.”
“You shouldn’t. Shit. That came out wrong. I’m not trying to put Nathan down. I’m just saying there’s nothing wrong with who you are.” Briar shrugs. “I think you’re pretty great.”
He’s my twin’s ex-boyfriend, he’s my twin’s ex-boyfriend,I say over and over in my head. “Thanks. I think you’re pretty great too. So…are we doing this?”
Briar gives me a wide, toothy smile, maybe the happiest one I’ve ever seen from him. “Yes. Let’s do it.”
3
BRIAR
Dawsonand I have had a couple of weeks to consider bowing out of our agreement if one of us changed his mind. I still feel guilty for not only suggesting the idea, but also for lying to my parents so I can avoid a lecture and get through the holidays unscathed. And okay, to also prove something to my high school ex, which sounds pretty juvenile.
I’m relieved Dawson will be accompanying me. He always has this calming presence, but even more than that, we’ve become friends. I really want to show him my postcard-perfect hometown so he feels like he’s living in one of those cheesy but beloved Hallmark movies. Minus the love interest, of course. Because that’d just make it weirder, wouldn’t it? Besides, it’s not like that between us.
When I pull in front of his shop to pick him up for our road trip, a bout of nerves scrambles my stomach. What if this ends in disaster?
I text my parents.About to get on the road.See you in about five hours.
Mom responds immediately.Great! We’re excited to meet your mystery guy.
His name is Dawson, remember?
I’d told them his name once I knew Dawson would be coming.
Of course we do, but he’s still a mystery guy to us.
God, this is mortifying. It was supposed to be Nathan, the guy I was dating until a couple of weeks ago. The guy I’ve seen in our office building since our breakup. Once in the elevator—awkward—and another time in the gym, where he was already flirting with the handsome new front-desk assistant. It’s only a matter of time before he asks him out because the way the guy was smiling at him, who can resist Nathan’s charms?
Christ, what am I doing dragging Nathan’s brother into this mess? This holiday recreation. Simulation? An exchange of one twin for another. Now I feel even more awful.
“You okay?” Dawson asks as he slides in the passenger seat.
“Uh-huh, just…I’m gonna have to start getting used to us pretending to be a thing.” I scrub my hand over my face. “Are you absolutely sure you want to go through with this?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t have agreed otherwise. It sounds like an adventure, and I need to have more of those.” He motions to his shop, which is locked with a CLOSED sign on the door. “I’m excited to get away for the holiday.”
I nod numbly and pull onto the street, heading toward the freeway. “What did you tell your parents?”
Dawson hitches a shoulder. “They didn’t ask. Probably figure I’m staying put like I planned.”
“And Nathan?” Panic wells in my chest. “Does he know where you’re headed?”
“I didn’t say anything…wasn’t sure how or if I should broach the topic. Plus, Nathan’s on his way to a beach holiday in Miami with friends.”
I blow out a relieved breath, then mutter, “Guess he wanted to get out of the city after all.”
“I’m sorry.” Dawson pats my arm, and despite the cold, his fingers are warm. “I know this is difficult for you.”
“It’s fine, really.” I scoff. “In fact, running into him has helped me realize how wrong for each other we were.”
“How did that go—seeing him?”