Charlotte laughed and smacked the weighty guy on the shoulder. “I’m so sorry. Where are my manners? Please, come in. I’m Charlotte Jones. This here is Lewis Applegate, my photographer and videographer, and you’ve met Jay, my personal assistant slash publishing house representative slash whatever I need him for.”

“The multi-purpose guy,” Jay provided.

We all exchanged handshakes, and Jay encouraged us to take a seat on the second couch across from Charlotte and Lewis. Charlotte sat again with Lewis by her side, while Jay perched on the windowsill, his gaze glued to us.

“Would you like me to take the lead?” Jay asked Charlotte, attention still bouncing between Asher and me.

“Sure.”

“So, like the article said, we’re looking for identical twins just like yourselves to become the faces of Charlotte’s new characters, Ender and Elliot Bridgestone. This new series is erotic taboo and will involve a growing intimate and sexual relationship between these twin brothers.”

Asher stiffened beside me, and I knew he was squirming on the inside. I kicked his ankle as inconspicuously as possible because he was making an ick-face, and I didn’t think that was wise. He might have growled deep in his throat too, but it was low enough I couldn’t be sure.

Jay’s attention shifted to Asher, so maybe he’d heard it, and I hadn’t imagined it.

“The trope is called twincest, and it’s become quite popular among taboo readers everywhere. We understand this is a controversial project, and finding willing twins to portray her characters in a realistic fashion on-screen and in photos will require some element of open-mindedness and an ability to suspend reality.”

I nodded because it seemed like the right thing to do.

Charlotte took over. “You two fit Ender and Elliot in physical appearance to a tee. When I saw your pictures, I was floored at the resemblance. You are how I picture them in my head. If we can translate their relationship on film and in pictures, it would bring this whole series to life that much more. Which one are you?” Charlotte nodded at Asher.

“Asher, but I go by Ash.”

“Ash. This whole rough and tough, more aggressive look is exactly like Ender. Whereas, Elliot”—she pointed at me— “is the more orderly and clean-cut twin. Your name is Atticus, correct?”

“Yes.”

“They’re stiffer than corpses,” Lewis observed, leaning forward and studying us like we were inanimate objects. “They won’t work if this is how they are with each other. They can hardly sit beside one another without being uptight.”

“I’m sure this is a lot to take in,” Jay interrupted. “The idea of performing in a sexually suggestive way with your brother can’t be comfortable, am I right?”

“Someone gets it,” Asher mumbled under his breath, waving a hand at Jay. “Yes.”