When Winston picks me up from my apartment to go to dinner with his brother, the moment I slide next to him in the car, I sense a tension in the air. He seems different.

He kisses me on the lips, then spends the rest of the time gazing out the window, hardly saying anything. What’s even more surprising is that during the ride, he doesn’t even pull out his cell phone to make calls or answer urgent emails as he normally does.

What’s going on in his mind? I’ve never seen him this quiet before. Did I say or do something? Or is he nervous about introducing me to his brother?

“Are you all right?” I ask cautiously.

“Yeah.” He glances at me, but there’s still this faraway look in his eyes when he takes my hand and squeezes it. Then he brings it to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “I have a lot on my mind.”

“Are you thinking about your brother?”

“Along with many other things.” He rubs his hands down the legs of his pants. “Jenna, I should warn you. My brother is unpredictable. Don’t be surprised if he acts strange or impolite around you.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. He’s your brother. I’m honored to be meeting him.”

“Thanks.” He places his hand on mine. “You should also know that we’re not close. We met each other for the first time three years ago.”

My eyes widen. “You grew up apart?”

He nods. “My mother gave him up for adoption.” His voice is so low it’s barely audible. “She never told me.”

“Wow.” I inhale sharply. “I’m sorry you missed so many years together.” I can’t even imagine being separated from my sister, living my life without knowing she exists somewhere out there.

“Yeah, it kind of makes our relationship strained.”

“I...I don’t know what to say.” The pain in his eyes is so evident that my heart goes out to him. “Is that why you didn’t tell me about him?”

“One of the reasons, yes.” His chin dips down. “I’m sorry. I should have.”

I squeeze his hand. “You know what, you don’t have to talk about it, if you don’t want to. Let’s focus on tonight.” It no longer matters that he didn’t tell me about his brother earlier. I fully understand why he didn’t do it.

His sigh of relief is audible in the small space. “I’d appreciate that.”

During the rest of the journey as the car meanders through narrow, dark streets, we no longer speak. The only communication is that of our hands woven into each other. Winston is deep in thought again.

We finally make it to the diner and find a seat at the back, in a corner next to a big, leafy plant and a loud jukebox. I’m surprised he chose a small diner on the outskirts of town for dinner with his brother. He normally goes for swanky restaurants where one bottle of wine can easily cost someone’s monthly rent.

Even though he looks out of place in his custom-made suit, I feel at home here. The relaxed atmosphere reminds me of home. The cheap ceramic tiles, tables covered in plastic tablecloth, and the paper plastic flowers are familiar to me. So is the smell of grease and spices. Most of the restaurants Winston takes me to smell of candles, fresh flowers, and cleaning products. This place smells like Gayle’s Diner back home.

We sit down and order our drinks. Water for Winston and Sprite for me. The waitress, a willowy woman with a shock of white hair, asks if we’d like to order our meals as well.

“Later,” Winston says. “We’re waiting for someone.” His hands are clasped so tight on the table his veins pop through his skin.

Our drinks arrive and we finish them without his brother showing up. The longer we wait, the more nervous Winston gets. Finally, he pulls out his phone and gives him a call. It goes unanswered. The moment he hangs up, the door to the diner opens and a well-built man with scuffed jeans and a wrinkled T-shirt walks up to our table.

My heart turns over at the sight of him. With shorter hair and a suit, he would have looked just like Winston.

They have the same hair color, the same eyes, even the same expression. The only difference is a scar on one of his brother’s eyebrows and the fact that he has a scruffy beard.

Even though I can still see Winston is annoyed he came late, they give each other a man hug, complete with a slap on the back, then the brother turns to me. “This must be the lady who stole your heart.”

“Jenna,” I say, my heart pulsing in my throat. Suddenly I’m nervous. There’s something about the way he looks at me that makes me uncomfortable. I don’t know what it is.

“I have to say I’m surprised.” He shakes my hand. “You’re not at all what I expected.”

“In what way?” Winston asks, his tone hard.

“She’s different from what I had in mind, that’s all.” He sucks air through his teeth. “But it’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Jenna. I’m Travis.” He sits down, staring at me.

He has the kind of gaze that bores right through a person.

“Nice to meet you too,” I say even though I’m not so sure.

He snaps his fingers to call the waitress and orders a whiskey on the rocks.

We all drink in silence at first, then Winston starts the conversation. Like strangers, they spend most of their time discussing the weather. It’s weird to me because I’m so close to my sister.

“What do you do, Travis?” I ask to show interest. “Your job, I mean.”

“I’m part owner of a business that’s not as boring as Winston’s.”

“What makes it more interesting?” I sip on my straw, watching his face. Winston, too, looks interested to hear the answer.

Before Travis can respond, the waitress returns and we order food. Winston and Travis both ask for steak and potato wedges. I order myself a Greek salad.

As soon as the waitress leaves to get our food, Travis turns to me. “My business is in its early stages at the moment. There’s really not much to talk about.” He cuts into his steak. “So, Jenna, when is the big day?”

“We haven’t decided yet,” Winston answers for me.

Travis turns to his brother. “Am I invited?”

“If you don’t screw up.” There’s a thread of warning underneath Winston’s voice.

“What if I promise not to? I’d really be honored to attend your wedding. I can’t wait to watch you chain yourself to a woman. Marriage is a toxic institution. Let’s hope yours lasts.”

Travis laughs, but Winston’s face is puce with anger, his hands clenched next to his uneaten food.

“Don’t,” Winston warns, his eyes on fire.

“Looks like I hit a nerve there,” Travis says. “Sorry about that. I shall say no more.” He continues to chew his food, a silent smirk on his face as he watches Winston.

The tension between them is so thick, it makes it hard for me to enjoy my food. I’m so grateful for the rock n roll music that fills the silence between us. The atmosphere at our table is completely different from the other tables, where people are talking, laughing, and enjoying their meals.

Pretending they’re getting along, the twins turn to the safer topic of the weather. Under the table, Winston is holding my hand a little too tight. It pains me to see siblings so distant from each other.

After dessert is served, I excuse myself to go to the ladies’ room.

Inside the bathroom, I close the door behind me and lean my back against it, breathing a sigh of relief. I didn’t need the bathroom. I needed to get away from all the tension. I was finding it hard to breathe. I actually feel sorry for Winston. Travis seems like a jerk.

I pull in a breath and hold for ten seconds, then release slowly. I repeat a couple more times until my heart settles. Only then do I decide to go back to the table.

But when I step out of the bathroom, I almost collide with Travis, who is standing by the door. That surprises me because one gets to the male toilet before reaching the ladies’.

“Hey, I didn’t see you.” I place a hand on my chest, pretending to be calm when I’m not. He kind of creeps me out a little.

“Life is full of surprises,” he says. “This is one of them.”

I take a step back, because he’s too close for my liking. “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean people can surprise you.” He eyes me without flinching. “For example, you and my brother...now that’s a surprise. You’re not his usual type.”

“What is his usual type?” My voice is a bit raised.

“Let’s see.” He places a finger on his lips. “He was more into stick thin models and actresses.”

“Well, I guess he didn’t find what he was looking for in them.” To be honest, I feel a bit insulted. I have no idea what he’s trying to imply.

“I guess he didn’t.” His tongue flicks his lower lip. “He chose you.”

“I hope you don’t have a problem with that.” My eyes are hard as they meet his. Why do I get the feeling that this guy doesn’t like me?

“No, I’m just an honest guy. I tend to say what I think.”

“You don’t think I’m good enough for your brother?”

“I was merely sharing my observation with you. I apologize if I have upset you in any way. It was not my intention.” He pauses. “And for your information, unlike my brother, I always appreciated a beautiful woman with some curves.”

“I see.” I swallow hard. “I should get back to the table.” The idea of sitting down with this man again makes me feel sick to my stomach.

“Why so soon? We just started our little chat.”

“I should get back to Winston.”

“Hey, Winston is a big boy. He can spend a few minutes by himself.”

I try to push past him, but he places a hand on the wall, blocking my way. My eyes flutter with fear as I look up into his laughing eyes. “What are you doing?”

“I only want to talk to you. No need to run.” His voice sounds like gravel to my ears.

I step back again, distancing myself from him. The hallway is so narrow that most of his body blocks it.

“What’s wrong, Jenna? Are you scared of me or something?”

“A bit.” I cross my arms in front of my chest.

“No need to be. I’m actually a nice guy. Sometimes it doesn’t seem that way, but it’s true.”

“Get out of my way or I’ll scream.” I try to get past him again, but he remains standing in front of me like a boulder.

“Aahh! A woman with a belly full of fire. I kind of like that. I like a challenge.”

Seeing no other way to get away from him, I plant my hands on his chest and push. “Travis, let me go back to Winston.”

“Just one last question,” he says, looking down at me. “How did you meet and fall in love with my brother?”

I want to tell him to piss off, but that could complicate things. It’s best to answer his question so he can leave me alone.

“I used to work for his company.”

He raises an eyebrow. “So you worked the night shift then. At a desk during the day and on top of the boss at night.”

My face flushes. “How dare you?” I’m about to shove him away again when I spot Winston over his shoulder.

“Stay the fuck away from her.” Winston grabs his brother by the neck and yanks him away from me. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

I’m shaking by now, as though Travis had done something to me. But he didn’t, not physically. And he’s still Winston’s brother. I would not want to tear them apart, damaging their already fragile relationship. “It’s okay, Winston. He didn’t do anything.” One thing is clear, I’ll never allow myself to be in the same room alone with Travis.

“Are you afraid I will fuck her?” Travis laughs in Winston’s face.

“Come near her again and I’ll kill you,” Winston warns.

“Is that so? You don’t have it in you, brother. I’m the one with the guts for something like that.”

Before Travis’s words can sink into my mind, Winston grabs him by the T-shirt and slams him against the wall, then releases him suddenly. “I mean it. Stay away from her.”

“Wow. Another surprise. I didn’t know you were a violent person.”

Winston ignores him and comes to me, pulling me into his arms. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry he scared you.”

“He didn’t do anything,” I say into his shoulder.

“I don’t care whether he did or didn’t. I’m never bringing you near him again.”

From the corner of my eye, I watch as Travis stumbles back, cursing under his breath.

“Good luck with the gold digger. The bitch just wants your money. I bet you shower her with gifts and holidays while you refuse to help out your own brother.”

“Get the hell out of here.” Winston says with so much force that Travis obeys. But before he disappears down the hall, he turns around again and gives us a small salute.

“I get it now,” I say when Travis is gone. “I get why you didn’t want to tell me about him. There’s something seriously wrong with him.”

“Yes, he’s an angry, bitter man. You never have to see him again.”