“Of course.” Ruth hung her coat and followed Caitlyn to the kitchen. “Ooh, I like this.” She inspected the glass serving dish Caitlyn had set out. “Fancy.”

  “Well, I’m a proper adult now.” Caitlyn grinned.

  “Absolutely.” Ruth turned hesitant. “Your mother doesn’t mind—?”

  “I told you, she doesn’t care that we’re different ages. She and my dad were the exact same age, and look how that turned out. She just wants me to be happy.” Caitlyn ran her fingers down Ruth’s arm. “And I am.”

  Ruth kissed Caitlyn’s cheek, then found her lips.

  They shared a warm, languid kiss until Caitlyn pulled back. “I should start getting ready. Actually, can you do something while I’m in the shower?” She gestured to the pot on the stove.

  Following Caitlyn’s gaze, Ruth tensed as fear flickered in her eyes. “You want me to cook?”

  “Oh God, no.” Caitlyn laughed. “I know you better than that. It’s supposed to simmer for forty-five minutes. Just watch it to make sure it doesn’t boil. That’s when the bubbles—”

  “I know.” Ruth playfully swatted Caitlyn’s arm. “Consider it handled.”

  “You’re the best.” Caitlyn started toward the bathroom, then turned back. “Oh, and put the Patriots game on. I know you want to.”

  Ruth bit her lip guiltily. “Actually, they were tied when I left, so if you really don’t mind…”

  “The game was tied? And you still came here?” Caitlyn backtracked for one more kiss. “I don’t deserve you. Now go turn it on.” She shooed Ruth toward the television.

  As Caitlyn stepped into the shower, a guttural howl drifted over from the living room. The Patriots must have scored.

  She’s so cute. Caitlyn hoped her mom would see Ruth’s good qualities. As for Ruth and Chloe, she just hoped they could get through dinner without any sarcastic remarks.

  * * *

  Ruth wasn’t nervous. After all, she was the president of a college. She’d given talks to diverse audiences and charmed countless colleagues and stakeholders. Making conversation with her girlfriend’s mother and sister would hardly be a challenge.

  In fact, when Melinda and Chloe Taylor entered the apartment, Ruth rose to her feet with perfect elegance and greeted them with a steady voice.

  “Hi, I’m Melinda Taylor.” Melinda had curled her gray hair and pressed her slacks. She stepped forward and shyly offered her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you from both of my girls.”

  “You have?” Ruth had the sudden fear that her hands were clammy. She rubbed her palms on her pants before taking Melinda’s hand. “I mean, that’s good.” She laughed too loudly. “Er, I hope it’s good.” So much for keeping her cool.

  “Yes, all good things. Caitlyn just adores you,” Melinda said.

  “Mom.” Caitlyn blushed.

  “Well, it’s true.” Melinda shrugged. “And these past few months—well, it’s the happiest I’ve seen her in a long time.”

  “I’m glad.” Ruth breathed a small sigh of relief. Despite Caitlyn’s many assurances, she had worried about Melinda’s opinion. “She makes me happy too.” She snuck a glance at Caitlyn, who beamed back at her with rosy cheeks.

  Chloe hovered behind Melinda. “Um, hi.”

  Ruth faced Chloe—the real one—for the first time since their meeting at the park.

  Chloe wore smoky eye makeup with bold lipstick and a tight navy dress. As Ruth studied her, Chloe fidgeted and darted nervous glances at Caitlyn.

  It was hard to believe Ruth hadn’t noticed the switch. They looked similar, but hardly identical. Now she would know right away that she wasn’t looking at Caitlyn. “Hi, Chloe. It’s good to see you again.”

  “You too.” Chloe offered an awkward, but hopeful smile. “Caitlyn said that, you know…”

  Ruth’s lips twitched. “That I wouldn’t bite your head off?”

  “Something like that,” Chloe said sheepishly.

  Caitlyn stepped between them. “She won’t. Ruth and I have moved on.”

  “That’s right,” Ruth said. “I’d like to get to know you as Caitlyn’s family—and you too, Melinda.”

  “Thank you,” Chloe said. “I’m really glad we’re doing this and that I have a chance to get to know you outside of work.”

  “We didn’t talk much when you worked for me,” Ruth said. “That was my mistake. This is a fresh start for all of us.”

  “Okay, cool.” Chloe grinned. “It’s so funny how it all worked out, huh? Almost like the universe brought you and Caitlyn together through me.”

  Caitlyn shot Ruth an anxious look.

  “Indeed,” Ruth said smoothly. “The universe works in strange ways.”

  “Why don’t you sit down?” Caitlyn gestured at her unusually spotless living room. “I’ll get drinks.”

  “And I’ll help to carry them,” Ruth said.

  Melinda and Chloe walked over to the couch, while Ruth followed Caitlyn to the kitchen.

  “The universe, huh?” Ruth said with an amused smile.

  “Thank you for being so cool about this,” Caitlyn said. “It means a lot to me.”

  “I do want to get to know them,” Ruth said. “I mean it. They’re your family, and that means they’re important to me.”

  “Thank you.” Caitlyn squeezed Ruth’s arm.

  “Besides, Chloe brought us together. And I understand your mom helped too. How can I be mad when the outcome is so wonderful?”

  Caitlyn glowed as she leaned in and planted a kiss on Ruth’s lips.

  “I love you,” Ruth said. “Just so you know.”

  Caitlyn gasped and stepped backward. “You do?” Her eyes were round as saucers.

  Ruth’s blood ran cold. Was she alone in her feelings? “I’m sorry.” Her voice sounded robotic. “It just slipped out. I guess it’s too soon. And the timing”—she gestured toward the living room, where Chloe and Melinda were chatting—“wasn’t great. I’m sorry.”

  “No!” Caitlyn’s head whipped back and forth. “Don’t be sorry.” She embraced Ruth and then left her hands on Ruth’s shoulders when she pulled back. “You surprised me. But I love you too. Of course I do.”

  “You don’t have to—”

  Caitlyn’s lips crushed into hers, muffling the rest of the sentence. She pulled Ruth close and deepened the kiss, chest rising against Ruth’s breasts with each hard breath.

  The warmth radiating from Caitlyn’s body filled Ruth down to her core. She could feel the certainty in Caitlyn’s strong arms as they pressed their bodies as close as physics would allow. There was no question. This is love.

  Epilogue

  Seven months later

  Caitlyn surveyed the audience gathered in the lobby of Pulaski’s student union. The small crowd of faculty, staff, and students took up most of the chairs that had been arranged for the event. She spotted at least two reporters, armed with cameras and notepads.

  Ostensibly, Caitlyn was there to support Dr. Tomlin. But as she watched from behind the podium, her entire focus was on Ruth in her formfitting suit and low heels. Since her stint at Pulaski, Caitlyn had missed watching Ruth in president mode. It was as hot as ever.

  Ruth stepped up to the podium and waited for the audience to settle. “Thank you for coming. My name is Dr. Ruth Holloway—”

  Someone in the back hooted, and a few people clapped.

  “Thank you,” Ruth said dryly. “I’m excited too.”

  Caitlyn could only see the back of Ruth’s head, but she could imagine Ruth’s raised eyebrow.

  Ruth cleared her throat. “I am honored and thrilled to formally announce our new partnership with Linvale Community College. From this moment on, students who maintain a 3.0-grade average are guaranteed admission to Pulaski upon completion of their associate degree. We also have new transfer agreements for twelve LCC courses—in addition to the many courses already covered under the Illinois Articulation Agreement. This initiative will increase our enrollment, but more importantly, it will benefit our community.”

  A smattering of applause broke out, and soon most of the crowd had joined in.

  “I’d like to thank Eli Tomlin for his partnership and friendship, in addition to the faculty at both institutions who worked hard to make these transfer agreements happen.” Ruth shot a quick glance at Caitlyn. “I’d also like to acknowledge Dr. Caitlyn Taylor, the LCC director of research, who was instrumental in making this partnership a success. Some of you may remember Caitlyn’s sister, Chloe, who once served as my executive assistant. No, you’re not seeing double—those two are actually twins.”

  A few people chuckled, and several faculty and staff peered curiously at Caitlyn. According to Ruth, word of their relationship had spread fast after the encounter with Steve Stubbons, but most thought they were getting their first glimpse of Ruth’s girlfriend.

  Beverly smiled warmly, while Alice looked annoyed. Gary appeared intrigued.

  Miguel shot her a conspiratorial wink.

  “With that,” Ruth said, “I’ll turn it over to Dr. Tomlin, who will explain some of the details.” She shook his hand before stepping to the side.

  As Dr. Tomlin addressed the crowd, Caitlyn’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and found a text from Miguel:

  Twins, huh?

  Caitlyn wrote back,

  Admit it. You love being in on the secret.

  He sent a smug-looking happy emoji in response.

  After the event, Caitlyn hung back while Ruth greeted the faculty. She wanted to talk to some of the people she knew from her summer at Pulaski, but, of course, she couldn’t—she wasn’t supposed to recognize anyone.

  Maggie approached her with a warm smile. “Hi, I’m Maggie, the director of research. I know your sister.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Caitlyn admired Maggie’s new haircut; her unruly, red curls had been trimmed to a chin-length bob.

  “I’m not sure if she ever mentioned me. She probably didn’t. But Chloe helped me a lot when she was here. She taught me some skills that I still use every day.”

  “That’s great.” Pride bloomed within her. I was a good teacher. “I’ll tell her I ran into you.”

  “So you’re a researcher too? I guess a love of data runs in the family.”

  Caitlyn stifled a laugh as she imagined Chloe’s reaction to that comment.

  Before she could respond, Joe and Kimberly walked up behind Maggie.

  “Wow!” Joe gawked openly. “You look exactly like your twin.”

  “Yup. We’re identical.”

  “Incredible,” Kimberly said. “I’m Kimberly. I teach political science, and I met Chloe several times. She was very impressive!”

  “Yes, Chloe has many talents,” Caitlyn said.

  “We were all sorry when she left so abruptly,” Joe said. “Where did she end up?”

  “Oh, she’s working for a property company now—in logistics. But I know she enjoyed working here, and she misses everyone at Pulaski.” Almost everyone.

  “We miss her too,” Maggie said. “Please tell her we said hello.”

  “I definitely will.”

  A few yards behind them, Dr. Tomlin signaled to her.

  “Excuse me,” Caitlyn said. “My boss needs something. It was great to meet all of you.”

  Dr. Tomlin gave her a warm smile. “Everything went perfectly.”

  “I agree. And I’m so happy to see reporters covering the event.”

  “I’m going to head back to the office, but you can stay if you want. Have some refreshments, network. Take as much time as you like.”

  Caitlyn very much wanted to network—with one person in particular. “Thanks! I appreciate that. I’ll text you when I get back.”

  She wandered toward the refreshment table, then jumped when a firm hand gripped her shoulder.

  “Hey, Caitlyn,” Miguel said.

  Caitlyn whirled around. “Hey!” She grinned. “How are you?”

  Miguel beamed. “I’m good. Really good.”

  “Oh yeah?” Caitlyn eyed him curiously. She’d seen Miguel smile many times, but today he appeared radiant.

  “I got a new job,” he whispered.

  “What?” Caitlyn gasped. “In Canada?”

  He nodded. “University of Toronto. I’ll teach four classes per semester, with the opportunity for annual renewal. It’s not tenure-track, but…”

  “But you’ll be with Preston.” Caitlyn’s heart squeezed.

  Miguel nodded. “He’s already scouting apartments in Toronto.”

  “Oh, I’m so happy for you.” She gave him a long hug. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.” He grinned. “Most academics won’t see it that way, but I know it was the right decision.”

  “You chose love.” Caitlyn couldn’t stop smiling. “And I can tell from your eyes how happy you are already.” She gave him another hug. “You won’t regret it.”

  They broke apart. “You’re looking happy yourself,” Miguel said. “I take it you’re glad you stuck around?”

  “I’m so happy.” Caitlyn snuck a glance at Ruth, who was chatting with a group of faculty. “Professionally and personally.”

  “That’s wonderful. I should head to my next class, but it was so good to see you.”

  “You too. We should all hang out before you leave.”

  “Absolutely,” Miguel said. “And hey, maybe one day you can visit. Toronto’s got touristy things. You could meet Preston.”

  “Count on it.” Caitlyn squeezed his arm.

  As they parted, Caitlyn looked around the reception. Assured that no one was watching, she kept going and slipped out the side doors. Then she crossed the courtyard and headed to the administrative office building where she’d spent her summer.

  Nostalgia washed over her as she walked down the long hallway to the presidential office suite.

  Chloe’s replacement, an older woman with a tight bun and floral-print reading glasses hanging on a chain, glanced up from her computer. “Yes?”

  “Hi, I’m Caitlyn Taylor. You must be Betty. Ruth told me to wait in her office.”

  “Yes, I’m Betty York.” She frowned. “But I can’t let you into Dr. Holloway’s office when she’s not here.”

  “Oh, of course. I’ll wait out here, if you don’t mind.” Caitlyn plopped into one of the chairs. She pulled her phone from her purse and texted Ruth:

  I’m at your office. Betty is making me wait outside.

  The response came a minute later:

  Good. Can’t have just anyone traipsing into my office. I’ll be there soon.

  Caitlyn scrolled through her email until she heard the door. She looked up, but it wasn’t Ruth—it was Piper.

  Piper looked her up and down. “Caitlyn. Good to see you again.”

  They hadn’t seen each other since Caitlyn left Pulaski, back when Piper still believed she was Chloe. Caitlyn shifted under Piper’s incisive gaze and straightened in the chair. “Hello.” She tilted her head in a subtle nod toward Betty to remind Piper that they weren’t alone.

  Piper crossed her arms. “You’re waiting for Ruth?”

  “Yes. She’s on her way.”

  “Okay. I’ll stop back later, then. I’m sure she will want to show you around her office—since you’ve never seen it before.” Piper winked before she turned and walked out.

  Caitlyn’s shoulders relaxed as the door swung closed. Perhaps the wink meant she had Piper’s blessing.

  A few minutes later, the doors opened again, and Ruth breezed in. “Thanks for waiting. You’ve met Betty?”

  Caitlyn stood. “Yes, we’ve met.”

  A smile played on Ruth’s lips as she turned to Betty. “You know, Caitlyn’s sister used to have your job.”

  Betty’s eyes widened. “Is that right? Let’s see, her name was Chloe, right? When I first got here, folks were always asking me what happened to her.”

  “Yes, Chloe Taylor. I’m her identical twin.”

  “Oh really? So she looked just like you?”

  “Mmm-hmm,” Ruth said. “A remarkable resemblance.”

  “Well…good.” Betty seemed a bit lost. She probably wondered why her predecessor’s twin sister was there.

  “Come on in,” Ruth said to Caitlyn. “Betty, please block my calendar for the next hour.”

  Overcome with déjà vu, Caitlyn followed her into the office and closed the door behind them.

  As soon as the door clicked shut, Ruth strode toward her and captured her mouth with a plundering kiss that left her breathless.

  “Mmm.” Caitlyn stepped backward, her ass bumping against the door. “I’ve always wanted to kiss you in your office.”

  “Always?” Ruth teased. “You mean, ever since we met?”

  “Well, perhaps not on the very first day.” Caitlyn recalled Ruth’s impromptu rant about full-time faculty hires. “But it wasn’t long before I started to notice your…good qualities.” She trailed a finger down Ruth’s jawline, all the way down to her cleavage.

  “I believe you got an unexpected view of my qualities when you walked in on me changing my top.”

  “Oh yes.” Caitlyn held Ruth’s waist. “Nothing could have erased the image from my brain. I wanted to push you backward onto the conference table and have my way with you.”

  “Well. That would have been inappropriate.” Ruth brushed Caitlyn’s hair from her face. “I don’t have relations with my employees.”

  “Good thing I was never your employee.” Caitlyn leaned in for another kiss.

  “Uh-huh. And it’s a good thing you never impersonated my assistant for three months and altered the course of my entire presidency.”