Page 86 of The Boys Next Door
A pause. Both twins shook their heads.
Ian looked up at the open blue sky. “It was good. We all knew it. Now it’s done.” Brendan opened his mouth, then closed it, letting Ian go on. “Me and Brendan are pretty comfortable with each other, Diana.” Ian’s lips twitched. “In case you hadn’t noticed.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed.”
He stroked a thumb over her wrist, and she let out a sigh. Brendan looked amused. “But I think this was the last time we do something like this.”
Diana didn’t miss the way Brendan’s hazel eyes widened when Ian said that. Then he shrugged and flashed his dimples. “You deserve to be happy. You both do.”
“What about you?” Diana looked at him curiously.
“You mean, being head over fucking heels for somebody?” Brendan’s easy smile didn’t change. “No, thanks. I’ll let Ian make an ass out of himself.”
Ian laughed. “That’s Brendan.”
“I was just happy to help.” Brendan gave Diana an affectionate pat on the knee.
She flicked a tater tot at his chest. “You don’t have to act like you’re some kind of saint. I know you’re not.”
Both twins burst out laughing. More and more, the twins were so distinct to her that Diana forgot they looked alike — and then there were the times she still could barely tell them apart. This was one of those times.
“This is right, Di.” Brendan stretched out his legs. “We had fun. And when you come visit this fall — you should come visit us, because we’ll have an apartment and you and Ian aren’t gonna have any privacy in your dorm room, and UConn has better parties than Yale, I’ll show you which bus—“
Brendan broke off. Diana and Ian were both eyeing him. Brendan held up his hands, grinning almost sheepishly. “You’ll figure it out.”
Later, after Brendan had gone out for the night, after he’d hugged his brother and ruffled Diana’s damp hair while Ian’s arm tightened possessively around her, just a little, Diana led Ian to the huge tree outside her house.
When they reached her window, they kept going. Diana climbed gingerly onto the roof, Ian following easily.
The slate tiles were warm and rough against her back, baked in the heat of the day. The sky was darkening to velvet blue. She reached for Ian and his fingers laced through hers, relaxing into the soft sounds of crickets chirping, cars rolling down the street, the scent of barbecue smoke rising into the air. The ease of not needing to talk right now, her head against his shoulder. Evening air was all around them, and the world was wide open.
Anything could happen.