Twins

by Tiya Rayne

  She cuts her eyes to me. “Me? You’ve been drooling over him since he walked in. You have no idea what book they were discussing tonight.”

  I bump her shoulder with mine. “I was not.”

  “Tell that lie to someone else, best friend.” She laughs briefly. “But don’t worry, he was looking at you too.”

  This has me swinging my head in her direction.

  “Seriously?”

  “As serious as I am about my Blue Saffire books,” she teases. We both know how crazy she gets when the author drops a new book. She’s even called out before to read a new release. “He hasn’t flipped not one page of that magazine since he opened it up.”

  I look back at the handsome man by the window. His head is down and it looks as if he’s fully engulfed in what he’s reading.

  “You should go talk to him.”

  This time I look at her like she’s crazy. “Are you nuts? I’m not going over there and embarrassing myself.”

  “Yes, you are. Grams is right. You need to start dating again.” She gives me a little push in his direction.

  I don’t have low self-esteem, despite being teased as a child. Am I the perfect size two? Hell no. My size sixteen jeans laughs in the face of size two’s. I’m what people call curvy or thick, depending on who you ask. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, but I don’t have a problem pulling my fair share of men.

  Despite being considered plus size, I know I’m a desirable woman. However, my ex did chip away at my confidence a little.

  “Go over there.” Tiana nudges me one last time.

  “Fine.” I pull my shoulders back and hold my head up high. I’m no punk. Besides, what’s the worst that can happen? I take in a deep breath before I reach his table.

  “Hello.”

  A smile spreads over his face before he closes his magazine and looks up at me. The moment I see his eyes for the first time, I’m taken back to that day in school. The day they found our Principal dead in his office. The day the boy with the beautiful eyes came to my rescue.

  “Seth?”

  The smile on his face slightly dips. It doesn’t completely disappear, but it’s not as bright as when I first walked over.

  “Not quite,” he says with a sneaky gleam in his eyes. “I’m his brother, Lucien.”

  Oh, my damn.

  “The one who thought I was cute?” The words come out without my control. However, that’s all I can think of when he tells me who he is.

  As a lonely little girl, you don’t forget a run in with one of the most beautiful boys of your life. I remember everything about that meeting. The way he seemed to come out of nowhere, the way he held himself. Even the way he played with my plaits, but I especially remembered the conversation.

  If I’d have known this was the face of the boy who thought I was pretty, I think I would have gone looking for him. Even at the age of nine, I knew what a fine boy was. Which is why I never forgot Seth.

  Lucien laughs. “I think my exact word was beautiful,” he says. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Malia.”

  He holds out a hand and I take it to give a quick shake.

  “You too.”

  The moment his warm strong hand wraps around mine, I get a low flutter in my belly. He holds my hand a second longer even after the shake is over.

  “I was wondering if maybe you could spare a little time to chat with me.”

  My mouth falls open at the invitation. I hesitate. Not because I wouldn’t love to sit and talk to this gorgeous man, but because this seems a little too surreal.

  Apparently, he takes my hesitation for lack of interest. “If I’m holding you up from something,” he says, glancing around the partially empty bookstore.

  It’s almost closing time, but a few people came in for our last-minute baked goods we box up at night.

  “Well, I was about to—”

  “She has time,” Tiana calls out from behind the counter. “Don’t worry, Boss. I’ll close up for you.” She smiles, showing off all her teeth while giving me a thumbs up.

  You either have to love or hate that woman. I shake my head at her meddling.

  “Well, I guess I have time,” I say, taking a seat across from Lucien.

  I was already close to him when I stood over him but sitting across from him gives me a better view. I know I said this man is fine, there is no disputing it. He has the face of an angel.

  Lips that have the right amount of fullness, the bottom slightly larger than the other. However, the thing that stands out the most on Lucien and his brother are those gorgeous eyes. It’s like there are pieces of every color in his irises. No matter how long you stare at them, you will find a new color.

  The amber brown color—the same color of raw honey when it’s held up to the light—mixes in with a collection of moss green and a near turquoise blue. They’re just as intense as they are beautiful.

  “How’ve you been? It’s been a very long time since I last saw you,” he says.

  “I’ve been good.”

  “Did you ever have any more trouble with those kids?”

  I like the way he seems very interested in my reply to this question. Like if he found out I did, he would defend my honor.

  I chuckle. “No, I think Seth did a great job of putting the fear of God in them. They never said anything else to me.”

  He nods, allowing a small smile to grace his face. “Good, my brother’s anger was at least good for one thing.”

  The way he speaks of his brother’s actions, brings me to believe he didn’t agree with them.

  “How is he?” I ask tentatively.

  For a moment, he doesn’t answer. Those beautiful eyes watch me. Then he shrugs. “The same,” he replies.

  “Still saving damsels in distress?” I tease.

  This brings out a full smile to his lips, lighting his eyes up and turning the darker greens lighter.

  “He would vehemently deny that those were his intentions.”

  This brings a smile to my face.

  “He isn’t the saving type,” he says before wrapping his hand around his coffee and mindlessly tapping his finger against the paper cup.

  “What about you? Are you the saving type?” I ask teasingly, dusting off my old flirting skills. Haven’t used these babies since college.

  He lifts his eyes from the cup to me and his lips tug upward. “I like to think so.”

  A beat of silence flows between us. Technically this is the first time I’ve met Lucien. Yet, there is a comfort in sitting here with him.

  “Tell me,” he says, getting my attention again. “What made you open a bookstore and bakery?”

  I laugh at his confused look.

  “Well, I joined my two favorite things, reading and eating.” I laugh. “They go well together, don’t you think? You can grab a bear claw while searching for the newest mystery suspense.”

  He chuckles. “Hey, it’s pretty darn clever if you ask me.”

  A prideful smile touches my lips. “Before I got this place, I worked as a librarian.”

  He tilts his head. “Really? Here in New York?”

  I shake my head. “No. In Maine.”

  He scrunches his nose. I laugh at how adorable he looks.

  “Don’t knock it. Maine is beautiful.”

  “I’ve been, I agree. I’m only wondering what would chase a New Yorker like yourself to Maine.”

  “Marriage.” My reply is quick, like yanking off a bandage. This is the part I hate. Trying to explain to people how I was unsuccessful in making a marriage work.

  This has him lifting a brow, and he starts tapping his finger against the coffee cup again. “You’re married?”

  I don’t miss the change in his tone. I won’t say it’s anger, but it lacks the teasing playfulness from before.

  “Divorced,” I say, holding my head up.

  He doesn’t even attempt to hide the smile that covers his face. “Good to know.” He winks and my belly tightens.

  * * * />
  ***

  It’s midnight when I look down at my phone. Lucien and I have talked and laughed so long; I didn’t even realize Tiana slipped out.

  “Oh my goodness,” I say, noticing the time. “I need to get going.”

  I stand and he gets up too. “So soon?” he asks.

  I chuckle. “Despite how much fun we’ve been having, it’s after midnight.”

  He frowns before looking down at his watch as if he’s surprised at the time too. “I’m so sorry, Malia. I didn’t realize I’ve held you up so late.” I wave off his apology.

  “I enjoyed your company,” I admit honestly.

  This brings his smile back. He takes a step toward me, his long legs eating up the small space between us. He looks down at me with those gorgeous eyes.

  “Can I see you again?”

  Despite the way he makes my pulse quicken like I’m at the top of a rollercoaster and about to plummet into a loop, I still don’t want to do a relationship. I lied to Grams about that. Relationships are hard and love is exhausting. I’m not ready to dive into that again.

  “Lucien,” I start, trying to sound as polite as I can. “It has been great meeting you and spending time together, but you kind of have me at a bad time.”

  “Bad time?” he repeats his brow quirking up.

  “Yeah, you see, I’m at that stage in life where I need to focus on myself and my daughter. I don’t have time for anything more.”

  For a moment, he doesn’t say anything. He seems to study me silently with those eyes. Then a smile spreads over his face.

  “Okay, not dating, but what about if two friends went to the movies to see that new alien release.”

  Even if I did want to say no, he has hit my soft spot. I’ve been wanting to see that movie Alpha Beginnings ever since the book came out.

  “What do you know about TL Connor?” I tease, shifting my weight to my other foot.

  His smile spreads over his face, making him even more attractive. He stuff his hands down in his front pockets and shrug. “I may or may not have waited in line for five hours to get a signed copy of Alpha Renegade. And it’s a strong possibility I’ve read the entire series at least four times.”

  Okay, he was hot before, but knowing he’s a TL Connor fan has made him ten degrees hotter. I don’t think the smile on my face could get any wider.

  “All right, Lucien. As friends we can meet at the movies this Saturday.”

  He chuckles and runs his tongue over his bottom lip.

  “It’s a deal. And maybe as friends, we can go for a walk after. You know, a friendly walk.” A smirk spreads over his face and causes his eyes to light up.

  I chuckle. “A friendly walk sounds nice.”

  “And if I so happen to be around this way before Saturday and I desire a bear claw, I can stop in and see my friend, right?”

  This time I let out a loud laugh. “You are pushing it, Mr.,” I halfheartedly chastise.

  He places a hand over his heart and pokes out his bottom lip as if he’s innocent. And darn if it’s not the cutest thing ever.

  It’s been a long time since a man has been this eager for my company. I can’t deny it, I’ve been having a great time with Lucien. We’ve talked like we’ve known each other for years. Maybe if things were different, this could be the start of something new, but that’s not how this goes. Me and relationships don’t work.

  “But,” I start. “I guess I can’t oppose if you happened to stop by tomorrow around eight to have a slice of pie with a friend.”

  Just because I’m not into relationships doesn’t mean I can’t be his friend. Or that my Grams wasn’t right about me needing some real dick. It’s been a little over two years since my divorce was final and even longer than that since I’ve had sex. Although my vibrator gets the job done, there’s nothing like the real thing.

  Another one of those disarming smiles graces his face. He leans in and kisses my forehead. The soft brush of his lips has my pulse rushing like I ran a hundred-meter dash. My imagination takes flight and I picture how soft his lips would feel on other areas of my body.

  “Come on, I’ll walk you to your car,” Lucien says after I stand here gaping at his face.

  I turn away from him, trying to shake off the affect he has on me. He places his palm against my lower back and I almost miss a step. Yeah, Grams will definitely have to hear vibrating tonight.

  We walk out to my car in silence. I don’t know where his head is, but I damn sure know where mine is—nowhere good.

  He stops me in front of my Lexus GX. “Can I have your number?”

  That seems like the most normal thing, right? If we are planning to meet again Saturday, numbers definitely need to be exchanged. I’m so out of the loop with things like this, I didn’t even think about that.

  “Absolutely, hold on.” I dig into my bag and pull out one of my business cards. I take a pen and scribble my cellphone number on the back. When I hand it to him, he has a grin on his face.

  “What?” I asks.

  He chuckles. “I could have just put your number in my cell.”

  Because that’s what normal people who have dated in the last twenty years do. I smack my palm to my forehead.

  “You’re right, I’m sorry.” I reach to take the card back, but he pulls it away.

  “I want to keep this. One day we will look back on this and it can be a reminder of where our relationship started.”

  Okay, I need to go home. Lucien is saying all the right things to make me want to climb his body in the back seat of my car.

  “Goodnight.” I’m cheesing so hard my cheeks hurt, yet I’m unable to stop myself.

  “Goodnight, Malia.” He nods his head as I climb in my car. When I glance back in the rearview mirror, he’s still watching me.

  That surreal feeling still has my head spinning. Who would have known after twenty-four years, I’d run into the boy who called me beautiful? I wonder how his brother is doing.

  Chapter 6

  You Need A Man

  Malia

  * * *

  I pull up to the brownstone I share with Grams. I find an open spot not too far from Grams’ convertible. Stepping onto the sidewalk, I’m nearly knocked down by a man in a black hoodie. He grabs my arms before I can fall.

  “You okay?” he asks with a deep voice.

  “Yeah, I’m good.” I can’t see much of his face, but I can tell he’s tall and the way he’s gripping my arms leads me to believe he’s strong. I take a step back from him.

  “You be careful now,” he says. “There are dangerous people out tonight.” With those ominous words, he jogs away.

  I hurry into my home, close the door behind me and lock it. I peek out the window to find my street vacant. I didn’t even see that guy coming.

  I don’t get frightened easily. I tend to have a thick skin when it comes to things like that, but something about his words, and the way he gripped my arms has me pretty shaken.

  “You’re a little late, aren’t you?”

  I nearly leap out of my skin at the sudden sound of my Grams’ voice. I spin around on my heels with a hand clutched to my chest. Her brows lift in the way they have since I was a little girl, trying to pull something over on her.

  “What happened?” the question immediately falls from her lips.

  I wave off her concern. “Nothing, you scared me.”

  She doesn’t reply. Yet, I can tell by the way her dark brown eyes study me she doesn’t believe me.

  “I wasn’t expecting you home until the morning.”

  I frown before hanging my keys on the hook by the door. “Why would I not come home?”

  Grams places her hands on her hips. “Because you were supposed to be in a sweaty heap in your new friend’s bed at the moment, waiting for round two.”

  I don’t even ask how she knows about Lucien. Tiana probably called Grams before she could get out of the store. The two together are awful when it comes to meddling.

 
“You need to put those horseback riding lessons I paid for to good use,” she goes on to say.

  “Grams, what are you talking about?”

  “Those riding lessons were to teach you how to tame a stallion between your legs. Same thing with the hula hoops I bought you every year for your birthday.”

  My mouth drops open. Nothing Grams says should shock me anymore. Living with a grandmother who has no filter and taught her granddaughter everything from her ABC’s to how to pleasure herself has made me numb to the things that come out of her mouth. However, every now and again she says something that leaves me speechless.

  “Way to ruin my childhood,” I say, remembering how proud she was when I won first place in the hula hoop competition in third grade.

  “Why the hell else did you think I spent those Saturdays surrounded by manure?”

  “Because I loved horses.” I place one hand against the wall and pull off my converse before placing them on the shelf.

  She shakes her head as if I’m a lost cause. “Baby girl, how many times have I told you, your Grams prepared you for everything in life.”

  I smile at the reminder as I walk into the living room with her on my heels. “It’s not like that with this guy. We just met.”

  Technically.

  I can’t tell Grams he found me after all these years. Whereas I don’t get riled up quickly, Grams doesn’t trust anyone. Everybody is a suspect until proven not guilty in her book. And even then, she still doesn’t trust you.

  I place my purse on the coffee table and flop down on the couch.

  “Are you serious? You spent five hours talking to the man and you couldn’t close the deal?” she asks, plopping down in her big blue recliner across from me.

  “You know, other grandmas teach their grands how to cook and knit, not pester them about having sex.”

  She waves off my snarky remark. “Well, other Grandmas don’t have nothing on me.”

  That I agree with. I joke with her about her teasing, but I wouldn’t change her for anything in the world.

  “We have plans to hang out Saturday.”

  A proud smile spreads over her face. “Well, now that’s some good news. You need a man and my munchkin needs a daddy.”