Dating Double: The Chance Encounters Series, #90

By Monica Moss

An extroverted popular college student who is secretly gay, Hugo Vincent's best friend, Levi Townsend, an introverted college student, is sad and depressed about not having a girlfriend like all of his friends (including Hugo, who is dating a cheerleader and fellow college student, Amanda Booth). Feeling bad for his best friend, Hugo decides to create a profile on Instagram of a fictitious female college student, Hannah Valentine, and message his best friend as Hannah. However, as Hugo starts talking to Levi as Hannah, Hugo starts developing real feelings for Levi and feels torn between his current girlfriend, Amanda, and Levi, who is straight. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Short and Sweet Publishing
• Release date: Aug 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227890955

Monica Moss

Monica Moss is a short contemporary romance author. She's always loved romances and short stories. She writes short gay romances about chance encounters, love enduring prejudice, and taking the leap of faith for the love you deserve. 

Book preview

HUGO

Walking through the crowded campus, I felt the familiar rush of excitement. My friends surrounded me, laughing and joking as we made our way to the cafeteria. It was the start of another typical day at college, and I thrived in the center of attention. I couldn't help but flash a smile at the passing students who greeted me with nods and waves.

Hey, Hugo! a voice called out from behind. I turned to see Amanda Booth, my girlfriend, jogging up to me. Her blonde hair bounced with each step, and her cheerleader uniform drew stares from everyone we passed. Amanda was the quintessential popular girl, and we made the perfect power couple. At least, that’s what everyone thought.

Hey, Amanda, I said, pulling her into a quick hug. She smelled like vanilla and hairspray, a scent that had become all too familiar. Ready for lunch?

Absolutely, she replied, linking her arm with mine. We continued walking, and I felt the envious eyes of my peers on us. It was a strange feeling, knowing that everyone saw us as the ideal couple when, deep down, I knew it was all a facade.

As we entered the cafeteria, the noise level dropped slightly. People always noticed when we walked in together. Amanda flashed her dazzling smile, and I followed suit, giving everyone the show they expected. We made our way to our usual table, where our friends were already gathered.

Hey, Hugo! Amanda! Jake, one of my closest friends, called out. Over here!

We sat down, and the conversation quickly resumed. Amanda chatted with her friends about the latest cheerleading routine, while I engaged in a heated discussion about the upcoming football game. On the surface, everything seemed perfect. I was Hugo Vincent, the popular guy who had it all – friends, a beautiful girlfriend, and a bright future.

But beneath the surface, things were different. The smile I wore was a mask, hiding the truth I couldn't share with anyone. I was gay, a secret I kept buried deep inside. It was a constant battle, maintaining the charade and pretending to be someone I wasn’t. Even as Amanda leaned in to kiss me, I felt the familiar pang of guilt. She deserved someone who truly loved her, and I knew I couldn’t be that person.

As the lunch hour passed, I found myself stealing glances at Levi Townsend, who sat a few tables away. He was quiet and reserved, the complete opposite of me. I often wondered what it would be like to be honest, to be free from the burden of pretending. But in this world, appearances were everything, and I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.

Amanda’s laughter brought me back to the present. I joined in, pushing aside the thoughts that threatened to overwhelm me. For now, I had to keep up the act, to be the Hugo Vincent everyone expected me to be.

LEVI

I walked across campus with my backpack slung over one shoulder, my eyes mostly fixed on the ground. The morning was crisp, and students bustled around me, chatting and laughing in groups. I preferred to keep to myself, blending into the background like always. It was easier that way—no expectations, no pressure to be someone I wasn't.

Finding a quiet corner in the library, I settled into my usual spot by the window. It was a perfect vantage point, allowing me to watch the world outside without being noticed. I pulled out my laptop and opened my notes for the upcoming history exam, but my mind wandered.

Across the campus, I saw Hugo Vincent and his girlfriend, Amanda Booth, walking together. Hugo was everything I wasn’t—extroverted, popular, confident. People gravitated toward him, while I stayed in the shadows. It was hard not to envy him sometimes, especially when he seemed to have it all figured out.

Hugo and I were roommates, a twist of fate that constantly reminded me of the life I couldn't have. Despite our differences, we got along well enough. He was always kind to me, never treating me like an outcast. Still, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing every time I saw him with Amanda. Not because I wanted her—far from it—but because Hugo embodied a world of freedom and acceptance that felt out of reach for someone like me.

I sighed and turned my attention back to my notes. History was a welcome distraction, a subject I could lose myself in. Facts and dates were simple, straightforward, unlike the tangled web of feelings I carried inside. Being gay in a place like this wasn’t easy. The fear of rejection, of being ostracized, kept me locked in a constant state of vigilance.

Every day was a balancing act, carefully navigating conversations to avoid giving myself away. I had learned to laugh off questions about dating, to feign interest in girls, to play the part everyone expected. But it was exhausting, and there were moments when the loneliness felt unbearable.

The library filled up as the morning went on, but my corner remained a sanctuary. Occasionally, I caught glimpses of familiar faces—classmates, professors, acquaintances. None of them knew the real me, the person I hid behind a façade of quiet indifference.

I glanced out the window again, watching as Hugo and Amanda joined their friends for lunch. Hugo's laughter reached me even from this distance, a sound that was both comforting and bittersweet. He was a constant reminder of the life I was too afraid to pursue, the happiness that seemed just out of reach.

Closing my laptop, I gathered my things and headed to my next class. The day would pass like any other, a series of lectures and study sessions, punctuated by fleeting interactions. And through it all, I would remain on the sidelines, a silent observer in a world that didn't see the real me.

But despite the isolation, there was a flicker of hope. Maybe one day, I would find the courage to be myself, to step out of the shadows and into the light. Until then, I would keep moving forward, taking solace in the small victories and holding onto the dream of a future where I could truly belong.

LEVI

The college party was winding down, and the dorm room was finally quiet. Empty cups and the remnants of snacks littered the floor, but I barely noticed. Hugo and I had come back a while ago, and now we sat on our respective beds in the dim light of the bedside lamp.

Hugo, ever the social butterfly, seemed to glow with the leftover energy from the party. I, on the other hand, felt drained and hollow. It was nights like these that the loneliness hit me the hardest.

Hey, man, you okay? Hugo asked, his brow furrowing as he looked over at me.

I sighed, staring at the ceiling. Not really.

He shifted, leaning forward with concern. What's up? Did something happen at the party?

It's not the party. It's just... everything. I hesitated, wondering if I should open up. But the weight of it all was too much to carry alone. I just feel... sad and depressed. Everyone else seems to have their life figured out. They have girlfriends, they're happy. You have Amanda, and it just makes me feel even worse.

Hugo's expression softened, and he got up, crossing the room to sit on