Seeing that they had no other options, Jackie said, "Please come in and sit down. Allow us to explain."
Kendall turned to Mark, who was still standing in the doorway. Her raised eyebrows questioned what he wanted to do. He did come inside, but seemed undecided about what to do. "We did come here for answers," she reminded.
With a conciliatory nod, he walked to the sofa and sat. Kendall followed, careful not to sit too close and give anything away. She was about to learn that that cat was out of the bag.
Jackie took a seat in a chair across from them, Joseph stepped up behind her and stood. Mark couldn't help but notice her nice legs as her short skirt rose on her thighs, but it managed to still cover the private parts. Her button-down shirt was loose and didn't reveal much of what she had up top, but he could tell her breasts were ample. Kendall also noticed, had similar thoughts as her stepbrother, and further thought she saw some interest in his eyes. That made her give Joseph a good look. He was much the same height and size as Mark, and almost as good-looking.
"It's true, we have been watching you," she began by admitting. "In the weeks before classes started, we saw the two of you doing things together, going out and such and thought you were boyfriend and girlfriend. And when we learned you were stepsister and stepbrother, we became intrigued that, even with that connection, you still were a couple. You didn't seem to care what anyone thought about your step relationship."
"That's becauseโ"
Mark put a hand on Kendall's leg to shush her. "Go on," he said.
Ignoring her stepbrother, Kendall demanded, "Just cut to the chase and tell us what your angle is."
With a nod, Jackie revealed, "Joseph is my stepbrother."
Mark and Kendall shot each other looks that said neither had seen
that
coming. It also settled them down a bit.
"When I returned home this summer," Jackie went on, "Joseph and I saw each other differently. We became attracted to one another. With our parents' blessing we started dating. That's when the problems started. My friends thought it was stupid and didn't like Josephโ"
"And mine reacted pretty much the same," Joseph spoke for the first time. "So, we started going to out-of-the-way places where we wouldn't run into them."
"It was great to be together," Jackie added, "but to some extent, we felt like outcasts. We didn't want the same thing to happen here in college. So, when we heard about the two of you and observed you, Joseph came up with an idea to attempt to date each of you to learn the exact nature of your relationship, and if it was what we thought and hoped it was, maybe I could pretend to date Mark and Joseph Kendall and we could double-date, but really be . . ." The stunned faces of Mark and Kendall caused her to trail off. "Okay, so, it wasn't a great idea."
"Actually," Mark said, "not a bad idea, just poorly executed."
"Why all of the subterfuge?" Kendall wanted to know. "Why didn't you just come and talk to us?"
Jackie shrugged. "As Mark said, poorly executed."
"So, does this mean you guys would be willing to try it?" Joseph asked.
Once again, Mark and Kendall exchanged glances. Her expression told him she was relying on him for the answer, although he thought he detected some interest.
"We would be willing to discuss it," Mark said.
"Great. What do you want to discuss?"
"I meant, Kendall and I will discuss it with each other first and get back to you."
"Fair enough," Joseph agreed.
"We're sorry if we gave you the wrong impression," Jackie offered. "This is all new to us. And I just want you to know, we're all above board here. We have no ulterior motive."
"I certainly hope not," Mark said, standing. Kendall followed suit. "We'll be in touch."
* * *
"
Wow!
I didn't see
that
coming," Kendall said as they walked back to their apartment. "Think they're fucking?"
"That's a hell of a first question," Mark commented with a chuckle. "Only from you. Why would that matter?"
She shrugged. "They want to be like us."
"You think they think we are?"
"Bet they'd like to find out."
"I'm not sure I get that from them."
Back inside their apartment, Mark headed straight for the kitchen to fix dinner.
Kendall on his heels observed, "You seemed interested in Jackie. I saw you sizing her up. And that short skirt and legs were for you."
"And you don't think I noticed you staring at Joseph's crotch?"
With a guilty grin, she pointed out, "He's the same height and general build as you. Just curious if
every
thing was the same." She stepped closer to him and turned him to her. "But seriously, Mark, are you interested in her?"
"I could ask you the same thing about Joseph."
"You're evading answering. That must mean you are."
"I love you, Kendall, and I love what we have together. But you know, neither of us have much of a dating history. We don't have much experience with other people. You ever think that maybe we might have missed out on something?"
"As a matter of fact, I have." But she was quick to add, "And that doesn't mean I'm not happy with you."
"What does it mean?"
"I'm really not sure," she answered honestly.