Chapter 3
I’d noticed the changes in Matthew over the past few weeks.
The guy who lived for his Harley and garage band, who wore that bad–boy attitude like a second skin suddenly became someone else entirely.
Two weeks ago, everything shifted. His personality did a complete 180.
Gone were the days of him racing out the door at midnight, or stumbling home smelling like a craft
brewery.
I even caught him reading War and Peace one evening – actually reading, not just scrolling through
Instagram.
I nearly choked on my coffee when I saw that. The old Matthew thought Spark Notes was pushing it.
When I pointed out these changes, he just asked: “Don’t you prefer me this way?” It wasn’t worse. If
anything, it was suspiciously perfect.
Truth is, I’m completely shallow when it comes to attraction.
Matthew could be whoever he wanted, as long as he kept that jawline and those eyes.
I fell for him purely because he looked like he’d walked off a GQ cover. Everything else about him?
Couldn’t care less.
A calmer version? Even better.
So I deliberately ignored the changes, gaslighting myself into believing everything was fine.
Matthew’s brother… what was his name again?
Right.
Nathan Rivera.
The supposedly uptight, Harvard–educated heir to the family empire.
I came home carrying a bag of red grapes.
Dinner was already laid out.
06.40
My Doppelganger Boyfriend
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Chapter 3
“Made your favorite rosemary lamb chops with truffle mashed potatoes,” Nathan said.
“You cooked this yourself?”
“Of course.”
Word was that Nathan had jumped straight into running the family business after getting his MBA.
Unlike his wild younger brother, he was the true golden child.
Yet here were those manicured hands, cooking and cleaning to maintain this elaborate charade.
I watched him intently.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Been hitting the gym?”
“Why do you ask?” His guard was up.
“Your arms are looking pretty ripped.” He unconsciously tugged at his sleeve.
“Just some CrossFit.”
“Nice. Muscles beat money any day.” He smiled wryly.
“Funny, I thought you said honesty beats everything.”
“Are you being honest?”
Nathan fell silent. *
Grinning, I peeled a grape and popped it into his mouth.
He ate it without thinking.
Nathan had forgotten one crucial detail.
His brother was deathly allergic to grapes.
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Chapter 4
