They agree

"I... have to admit this feels a bit weird," Kaila sighed. "When Carla was pretending to be me, it didn't bug me as much."

"But it bugs you now," I asked, my eyes drifting to Carla, who said nothing.

"I just... I mean... are you going to..."

"That's up to HER, not you this time," I replied. "I need to get my head straight too. I need a little time. We're... we're not GOOD, right now, Kaila. The Bleeding's stopped, but... if we keep poking at this, it's gonna start right back up again."

"Yeah... but... can you at least..." Kaila stopped herself. "I love you."

I wanted to say it. I wanted to... an impish little desire came over me and I merely smiled at her.

"I know." I hoped I looked half as cool as the guy who pioneered that line.

"So, Carla, are we on for tonight?" I turned to her and smiled brightly.

"Yeah... sure... that..." Carla paused, glancing at her twin with a smile. "Yeah, I think I'd like to spend some time talking. Just as me. None of the twin games. Just Us."

"Great! I'm with you," I nodded with a smile, before turning back to Kaila. "So, you know where I'm going to be, and who I'm going to be with. Sex might happen, might not, depends on us. I'm not going to ask your permission on this one. You just lost your veto for a while, far as I'm concerned. You and Charlotte gonna happen?"

"I... she's still a bit pissed at me," Kaila admitted. "She said I wasn't acting like an adult and just telling you what I wanted. I tried to explain, but... well, she just didn't want to hear it."

"Hence why... she wasn't in the mood last night for you. Got it," I nodded. "I did find it kinda weird she was browsing for porn on my phone."

"Yeah, she called me a double dealing jealous wife, and suggested that I... well... She's pissed, Okay? She's GOOD at hiding it when she's angry, but... she's pissed. Especially about the bet." Kaila admitted.

"I... when did THIS happen?" Carla asked, her mouth dropping. "She was... she was fine when she left with you."

"Yeah. She gave me an earful on the drive... and the walk. Especially on the walk. That's when she gave me this whole speech about cliches in romance novels and how I was walking right into one..."

"I've heard it," I nodded. "She even warned me. She didn't SAY it, but... I should have realized that she was trying to tell me without... telling me."

"So... yeah. Do... Does saying I'm sorry even matter?" Kaila asked. "Because I am sorry."

"Not if that's the apology," I countered. "That's a really, really crappy apology."

"What do you want? Me on my hands and knees, washing your feet?" Kaila shrugged. "I'm Sorry! I mean it. I... want to fix this."

"Not if you don't actually apologize," I pointed out, "You're not even acknowledging that you did anything wrong. Think about it for a minute, honey. Really. You're smart enough to figure out how to trick me, so you're smart enough to figure out what you need to apologize for."

Kaila sighed. Her eyes closed and for a moment I saw her breathing in the same manner that I had previously. I guess she actually had paid attention at that class.

"I... apologize for lying to you," Kaila said after another moment. "I apologize for running off and letting Carla clean up my mess. Again."

"Good Start," I prompted. "One more thing, and I actually consider it an apology."

Kaila didn't respond. She looked out on the ocean, and her face was placid in contrast to the occasional wave that broke on the small beach nearby.

"I... don't know what you want," Kaila admitted after another long moment.

"And right there's the problem, Kaila," I pointed out. "You don't know what I really want. You think you do, I mean, you practically threw Helen at me with that dare. Yes, I wanted her, but... I didn't want her like that. Any time you see something you think I want, you just throw it at me and expect me to be grateful and love you more."

"I'm sorry I... do that," Kaila said, rising from her seat. "I'm pretty sure you don't want to stay here and beat this to **** any more. Does that... Does that count?"

"Yeah. Actually. To me, it does."

I also rose from my seat and looked at her evenly. I'd been waiting for this.

"I love you too." I said, putting every bit of emotion and love I had into the words, "You're not off the hook, but I accept your apology. No prizes for the first step of a Marathon. And... well, if it had been anyone else, any other time, any other situation... but it's not, and I'm not focusing on maybes."