I came home from work and pinned my girlfriend on the bed, kissing her fiercely.
She struggled to push me away but couldn't speak.
As I kissed her, I noticed her face flushing.
We'd been together for yearswhy would she blush now?
Wait blushing?
I jerked back, feeling incredibly awkward.
Cater, you
"Uh where's your sister?"
"She just left."
"Sorry, you two look so much alike, I"
"I should go." She scrambled to put on her shoes and fled.
If I'd known this misunderstanding would make her fall for me, I'd never have done it.
My girlfriend has an identical twin sister. Same height, weight, faceeven their voices are indistinguishable. My girlfriend Eleano said they were born just one minute apart.
The only difference is their personalities. Eleanor is introverted and quiet, while her sister Vivian is more outgoing and bold.
Eleanor hadn't told me Vivian was visiting. I mistook them and created this steamy, awkward mess. I was mentally kicking myself.
Ten minutes later, Eleanor returned with groceries.
"Huh? Where's Vivian?"
"Uh she left."
"Left? Why?"
I froze, scrambling for an excuse. "She had an emergency."
"Impossible." Eleanor eyed me suspiciously. "I'll call her."
My heart hammered. If Vivian told the truthor if her awkwardness tipped Eleanor offI'd never clear my name.
As Eleanor pulled out her phone and hit dial, I panicked, each second felt like torture.
"Voicemail?"
She tried again. Still no answer.
Relief washed over me. I swore I'd always confirm who was who before getting intimate.
"Maybe it really was an emergency"
Eleanor stared me down. "You're acting weird."
"I'm not."
"You stutter when you lie. Always have."
"I am not stuttering."
"Then why are you blushing?"
"It's hot in here."
"Hot? You're sweating bullets."
I deflected. "Let me put the groceries away. With Vivian gone, we can't finish all this."
"Did you two do something behind my back?"
I busied myself unpacking bags, avoiding her gaze. "Of course not. What could we do? What's wrong with you?"
"I'll ask her myself next time I see her."
"Fine." My voice wavered.

That night, I couldn't sleep.
All I saw was Vivian struggling beneath me, my lips silencing hers as she tried to protest.
I rolled over, cursing myself for being such a creep. What was wrong with me?
I needed to fix this before we met again.
And Eleanor could never find out. She adored her sister. If she knew I'd kissed Vivian, even by mistake, she'd dump me instantly.
Vivian stayed away for days. From Eleanor's calmness, they hadn't discussed it.
Maybe it was over.
I saw Vivian a few times later. She acted normal, like it never happened.
Good. It was my mistake, and I was lucky she seemed to have forgiven me.
One day, Eleanor came home early, reeking of alcohol.
"Where were you? You're drunk."
"Work party. Ugh."
She stumbled into me, dazed.
I carried her to the bedroom and went to the kitchen to make her some honey lemon water.
She took a sip, then looped her arms around my neck, pressing her lips to mine, sharing the drink.
"Stop it. Yake a rest."
I thought she was drunk.
But she clung tighter. "At the dinner today... everyone was paired up. They were all over each other. I was the only one alone."
"Where did you have this dinner... where people are 'all over each other'?"
Her fingers trailed down my back, igniting my skin.
Eleanor was limp, half-draped over me.
The mix of alcohol and her perfume intoxicated me.
Her flushed cheeks and wandering hands shattered my restraint. I kissed her hard.
We tangled for hours. Sweaty, I showered afterward.
Returning to the room, I saw her bare backand a chilling thought shot through me.
Oh, goddamn it!
Had I done it again? Was this really Eleanor?
"Are you Eleanor or Vivian?"

Slap!
A stinging blow. "Ryan, what the hell is wrong with you?"
"Eleanor, listen"
"You're disgusting. Doing that while thinking of my sister?"
"Let me explain!" But I had no explanation.
Could I admit I'd mistaken Vivian for her before and kissed her? That'd kill me faster. But how else to justify my fear?