TEMPORARY MATES PERMANENT CRAVINGS novel Chapter 299

Two hundred and ninety nine

Wesley POV

The diner was one of those places Anita, Emma, and I had been coming to for years.

Nothing fancy, but good food and booths that had somehow survived generations of people carving initials into the wood. We tried to meet there at least once every two weeks whenever our schedules lined up. Most of the time it was Anita dragging Emma and me out of the office, insisting fresh air was as important as paperwork.

Tonight wasn’t any different.

My stomach hadn’t completely forgiven me for breakfast, so while the girls ordered steaks, I settled for grilled fish, rice, and vegetables.

Emma looked at my plate.

“Never trust a chef who says, ‘It’s only a little spicy.”

The conversation drifted easily after that. We talked about whatever had happened since the last time we sat together, and I eventually brought up Barbara’s idea.

“I think we’re going to do something different for Beatrice’s anniversary this year,” I said. “Barbara suggested we spend the day doing the things Beatrice loved instead of visiting her grave.”

Anita sighed, staring into the distance.

Emma cut another piece of steak before looking across the table.

“Can I say something without either of you biting my head off?”

“That sentence never leads anywhere good,” Anita said.

She rested her fork on the plate.

“It’s about Barbara. I don’t know how to put it, but she’s been making me uncomfortable.”

“Noticed what?” Anita said.

Emma shrugged and searched for the words.

“It isn’t one thing. It’s everything. The way she talks, the hobbies she’s picked up, the little expressions she uses.”

She looked directly at me.

“She’s becoming Beatrice.”

I scoffed.

“They’re twins. They spent their whole lives together. It isn’t strange that they have similar habits.”

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“I’m not talking about similar habits,” Emma said. “I’m talking about a whole identity.”

Anita looked at Emma.

“They always had a lot in common.”

“They did,” Emma agreed. “But think about it. If Beatrice hadn’t died, who would Barbara have become?”

Neither Anita nor I answered.

Emma continued.

“Would she have become closer to you both than she already was? It feels like she’s stepping into her

sister’s life instead of continuing her own.”

“I think you’re reading too much into it. Barbara and Beatrice have always had shared interests,” I said.

Anita rubbed the rim of her glass thoughtfully. “I don’t think Emma is completely wrong. Sometimes I feel… I don’t know.” She searched for the right word. “Uneasy.”

“The spa Beatrice always loved, the cafés, the routines. Sometimes Barbara suggests something and for a second I genuinely think Beatrice is the one talking. But grief does strange things. I don’t think she’s trying to replace her. I think she’s trying not to lose her.”

Emma nodded.

“I understand grief. But there’s a difference between carrying someone with you and disappearing into

them.”

The table fell quiet.

I stared down at my food.

“I… don’t think it’s that deep,” I said.

Emma shrugged. She took another bite before adding,

“Then explain one thing. Why did she agree to date you?”

If only they knew.

I picked up my water and took a drink to hide my smile.

Emma narrowed her eyes.

“Seriously. Are you even attracted to Barbara?”

The amusement vanished.

“I like her.”

“I didn’t ask that. I asked whether you love her the way you loved Beatrice.”

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There wasn’t any point lying.

“I can’t.”

Neither of them spoke.

“I like Barbara. She’s beautiful and kind. I enjoy spending time with her. But nobody replaces Beatrice. I

don’t think anyone ever will.”

Anita gave Emma a look.

“Can we change the subject? I really don’t feel like crying tonight. And let’s not be too hard on Barbara. If she’s found a way to keep holding onto her sister, maybe that’s what she needs.”

Emma lifted both hands.

“I never said they shouldn’t be together. If whatever arrangement they have works for them, then good. I don’t need to understand every relationship on the planet.”

That earned a laugh from Anita.

“Speaking of relationships…” Emma turned toward me. “Do you know your sister practically engineered Isabella’s transfer into my department?”

I looked at Anita.

“You did?”

She smiled without a trace of shame.

“I suggested it.”

“So you could keep seeing her?”

“No.” She paused. “…Well.”

Emma laughed.

“Anita came to my office three times today with one flimsy excuse or another.”

“I had reasons, you idiot.”

Emma laughed into her drink.

“You weren’t exactly subtle.”

I looked between them.

“So why not keep her for yourself, Anita?”

Anita shrugged.

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“I pushed too hard before. I don’t want to do that again. I want her to feel comfortable around me. If something grows naturally, great. If not, at least I respected her.”

I stared at my sister.

“That’s surprisingly mature.”

She pointed her fork at me.

“I can be mature.”

Emma and I laughed.

“But seriously, how do you expect someone who isn’t attracted to women to suddenly wake up one day and change? You can’t manufacture attraction.”

Anita dismissed me with a wave.

“You underestimate me.” She leaned back proudly. “I’ve made straight women question themselves

before.”

Emma immediately placed a hand over her heart. She straightened in her seat as though addressing an

audience.

“Please rise. We are gathered here tonight to recognize Anita, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Confusing Heterosexual Women.”

I laughed so hard I nearly choked on my water.

Anita bowed dramatically from her chair.

Emma kept going.

“Without your tireless service, countless women would’ve continued living perfectly uncomplicated lives.”

“I do what I can.”

Anita accepted the imaginary applause with a gracious nod.

Emma pointed at her.

“Just don’t make the poor girl uncomfortable. I don’t need HR showing up in my office asking why my assistant is filing a harassment complaint.”

“I wouldn’t.”

Emma looked at me.

“You know why Isabella suddenly has better clothes?”

She pointed at Anita.

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“This menace said her wardrobe wasn’t doing her any service and told me to give her my clothes. Isabella thinks I was being a sweetheart by giving her my clothes, meanwhile the idea was entirely

Anita’s.”

Anita sipped her drink shamelessly.

“I mean… she’s gorgeous. Her frumpy clothes just don’t do her justice.”

I hadn’t seen Isabella all day, but I found myself remembering her standing in my office.

My lips brushing hers, the flush of her cheeks, and how her eyes had darkened with desire even as she’d tried so hard to stay professional.

“I don’t blame Anita. The girl is hot,” I blurted.

Emma laughed.

“Shouldn’t you be a little more careful saying that? You’re supposed to be in love with Barbara.”

I took another bite of fish.

“I have functioning eyes.”

Anita took another sip of her drink.

“See? Even Wesley, who has sworn never to feel anything for anyone other than Beatrice, can tell my girl is attractive. Now, for a change of subject, my DJ event is this weekend. You two must be there. Even Charlie is making time to come.”

“Count me out, then,” Emma said.

“Seriously?”

“I can’t stand him.”

“Why?” I said. “He’s practically family.”

“He is your family.” She corrected me immediately. “He’s your mother’s younger brother. I’m not related to your mother. So no. He’s not my family.”

Anita stared at her.

“What did Charlie ever do to you?”

Emma picked up her glass. “Exist.”

I laughed.

“One day I’m going to find out why the two of you can’t be in the same room without glaring at each other.

“You’ll die disappointed.”

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Anita pointed her fork at Emma.

“You’re coming anyway.”

“I’m not. If Charlie is there, I’d rather stay home.”

Nobody believed her. She’d probably end up coming anyway to bicker with him.

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