[LUCAS]

“That was probably the worst idea you’ve ever had, and yet…” Runne looks toward me, his eyes holding an appreciative expression I never would’ve guessed he was capable of, “it worked.”

Maybe it shouldn’t have.

I bite back a grimace, thinking of Giselle cuddled into Runne’s side.

“Yeah,” I begin to brush it off, “no problem, bro.”

Runne looks back at me, his face bursting into a wide smile. “I can’t believe she’s liked me this entire time.”

I don’t even realize I fisted my hands against my sides until after Runne notices.

“Bro, you good?”

Quickly, I nod a reply, too angered to let my words take over. I can’t believe she’s liked me this entire time.

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I can’t believe she’s liked me…

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I can’t believe…

__ Runne’s word continuously echo through my brain so much, I have to close my eyes and attempt to force the thoughts away.

I don’t like Giselle.

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I don’t like her.

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I don’t like Giselle.

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I have no reason to like Giselle.

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Do I like Giselle?

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How can I like Giselle?

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Runne is with Giselle.

“Hey, Runne, I can lock up. You go get some sleep so you won’t look like crap at your date tomorrow,” I remark, leaning against the counter in an attempt to stay calm. An attempt at a smile and chuckle follows, but the attempt goes sour.

My brother gives me a look.

“Me? Look like crap?” He jokes, a small smile reconnecting on his face, “Impossible, my dear twin.” He edges to the kitchen door, waiting for a moment, as if he thinks I’ll take back my last few words.

“Go get sleep,” I say a little louder, pulling the towel off of the oven door and throwing it at him. As he’s exiting the large restaurant, I shout loudly to make sure he hears, “Giselle would love to hear that you might not be a bad boy anymore—”

“Oh, shut up! I ride a motorcycle, for f—”

I mentally cut him off and push myself off the counter, eyeing all of the surfaces for my phone.

Moments later, I find it sitting in the uniform cabinet underneath my change of clothes.

Should I do this?

My fingers move before my brain.

Suddenly, I’m on a call with Giselle, wholly unaware how I managed to do that. I start pacing as we talk.

“Yeah, Lucas?”

“Um… I need to tell you something,” I blurt, facepalming myself at the desperation in my voice. For some reason, I completely forgot about her date with Runne tomorrow, but that was the whole reason I was calling. “Wait… never mind. You have your date with Runne tomorrow.”

I pause, hearing the quiet breathing of my _friend _over the phone.

“I guess I’ll see you Thursday, G.”

“Thursday?” She pipes up, and I nearly stumble at her soft voice.

“I’m going to a business meeting with my dad. Runne’s staying here to help run the restaurant while we’re gone.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

Don’t focus on how disappointed she was.

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Don’t.

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Come on, Lucas!

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This is your brother’s girl.

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You are merely friends with her.

“So… bye, Giselle.”

“Bye Lucas.”

I love hearing my name from her.

I like my brother’s girlfriend.

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How could I do that to Runne?