by Kennedy Fox
“My head hurts,” Vicky says, crawling into my bed the next day.
I’m up and already dressed. Today I have to go to my parents’, and my sister is on her way to get me.
“That’s because you drank half the bar dry last night,” I say, shaking my head. I stopped after Noah left, and not long after that I went home, leaving Vicki there.
A knock is heard, and then my sister walks in. Her long, dark hair is down and in perfect waves, where mine is thrown up in a messy bun.
We are identical twins. And when we were eighteen, I tried everything possible to separate my look from hers. But now it doesn’t bother me as much. I love her and think she looks beautiful. So why would I try to change my outer appearance when I think that way of her?
Her dark eyes, almost black, lock onto mine. And I wonder when she looks at me, does she see herself? Or someone completely different? Because we are. Our outer appearance might be the same, but our inner personalities are not.
She’s prim and proper.
I’m a mess and unorganized.
“You look better than expected,” Rylee says and sits on my bed next to Vicky, whose eyes are fighting to stay open.
“Did Noah really say his wife was dead?” Vicky manages to say with a croaky voice.
Rylee looks from Vicky to me, then waits for me to speak.
“He did.”
“So now you have no excuse not to go out with the man you’ve been crushing on for months.”
“You have a date?” Rylee asks.
I shrug. “Kind of,” I reply.
“And he was married?” Rylee asks.
Vicky answers with a nod.
“Well, that may not go over well. Let’s not tell our parents,” Rylee says, standing and brushing her hands down the front of her perfectly pressed skirt. I am wearing a dress that I usually wear when I visit them because my usual short clothes with tears and holes in them are not up to their exacting standards.
I love my parents.
I really do.
But sometimes, their expectations are too high, and no matter how hard I try, I just can’t reach them.
Chapter Three
“Oh, gosh, that dress… again? Really, Rhianna?” my mother questions as we walk in.
My sister walks straight past her and sits at the table. The house is already filled with Christmas decorations everywhere, and it honestly looks like Christmas threw up in here.
“You wouldn’t approve of my other clothes, Mother,” I say, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
She returns the kiss before she pulls back. “I can always take you shopping,” she says, reaching for a lock of my hair that’s fallen out of my bun and pulling it away from my face.
“I’m fine, Mother, really.”
She shrugs. She means well, I know she does, but with Rylee being the perfect child, her expectations for me always seem so much higher.
“Okay, well, your father is already in the sitting room waiting for you. Anderson and his family were going to join us today, but work called so they will join us on Christmas day.” She smiles as if that information is something I care about.
I can’t stand my sister’s boyfriend.
He’s a pig.
How Rylee kisses an asshole like that is beyond me. He sends shivers over my body every time I see him and not in a good way.
“Cocktails for lunch?” I ask my mother, who ignores me as I walk toward my father. He’s reading some work reports as I make my way into the sitting room. He looks up when I approach and places his paperwork down, followed by pulling his glasses off his nose before he stands and kisses my cheek.
“You need to come around more often, biscuit, we don’t see you enough.” My father has had that nickname for me ever since I was small, and he would come home in the afternoons and catch me stealing all the cookies.
I love cookies.
“I’ll try,” I say. And I might, well, maybe.
It’s hard being the disappointment of the family.
“Rhi-Rhi.” My name is yelled, and I turn, walking into the dining room to see my baby brother already sitting at the table, his mouth full of bread, as I step around to him. His arms wrap around me, and I hold on tight. He is only fifteen, and he’s already taller than me.
“Stop growing,” I say, pulling back to look at him. We all have the same dark hair, but Rylee’s and mine is straight with a small wave, and Beckham’s is tight curls.
“Mum is going to ask you to help out for Christmas, word of warning,” Rylee says, sitting at her spot next to me. Beckham sits across from us, and our parents take the head of the table.
“So, Rhianna, tell us… have you met anyone new?” My mother asks me this every time I visit. I think she’s hoping I marry a wealthy man. One of her choice, of course. The number of times she has tried to arrange something for me, to meet suitable men and so on, well it’s not been easy.
“How’s Anderson?” I ask my sister, changing the subject entirely.
“He’s working,” she says, smiling.
“Yes, he’s a busy man. A good one, too. Are you excited for the upcoming proposal?” my mother, asks lifting her champagne glass to her lips while eyeing Rylee.
I look at Rylee—not once has she mentioned anything to me about a proposal.
Her eyes skim all of us and then something passes over them before she quickly covers it. But I saw it, the pain that was there for a second or two.
“Proposal?” I ask.
She looks at me, and I can see in her eyes that she’s begging me to stop.
“Yes, we’ve spoken with Anderson’s parents, and they are excited about what the future holds for you two. And are eagerly waiting for him to pop the question.” My mother says.
“Mum, I got an A in maths today. Like, holy shit, can you believe it?” Beckham chimes in.
“Watch your language, Beckham,” our mother chides.
But I know exactly what he did. He’s taken the attention off Rylee, who obviously needs it. But why? And why hasn’t she told me anything?
Dinner finishes without any more questions.
Our father tells us about what’s going on at work, and our mother listens attentively as if she understands each word that pours from his lips. She has no idea, like me. Only Rylee understands his ramblings. It’s why she will take over the company, and it’s why Beckham would have lied to grab their attention.
“I love you, thank you. I’ll see you in a few weeks for Christmas lunch?” I ask my mother.
She has a public lunch. Invites all her friends and family members, which is what we do before the actual day. It’s always at the beginning of December.
“Yes, bring a date.” She kisses my cheek and walks off.
My father is next, and before kissing my cheek, he hands me some money.
Beckham stands next to Rylee as we walk out the door, both coming to her car.
“So, we don’t want to marry Anderson?” I ask Rylee, then look to Beckham.
Beckham opens his mouth to say something, but Rylee cuts him off, “No, it’s not what I want. I just don’t know how to tell him yet,” she says.
“He’s an ass,” Beckham relays, and Rylee nudges him with her shoulder.
“Go on, I gotta take Rhi home. I’m sure she has plans later,” she says with a smirk.
“Oh, do you have a date? When can I meet him?” Beckham crosses his arms over his chest. He’s turning into such a big man now.
“I do, and he’s dreamy,” I say, batting my lashes. “But don’t you dare tell Mum. I will kill you,” I say, pointing my finger at him. He chuckles before he gives us a backward wave and walks off to the house.
We both slide into Rylee’s Mercedes, and she takes off.
“You’re hiding something from me,” I say to her. “You don’t hide things from me.” I say this more to myself than to Rylee.
“I need to work this one out on my own. If I tell you, I already know what you’re going to say, so I just need
to do it first.”
My phone rings and Noah’s name flashes on the screen. I put it on silent as I turn to face Rylee as she drives.
“You know you’re amazing, right? Any man would be lucky to have you.” She smiles at my words, and I wonder if I look the same when I smile.
“So are you, so stop ignoring that man’s calls and answer him.” She stops at the front of my apartment, and I lean over and hug her.
“I love you, buttercup,” I say, holding her tight.
“I love you, biscuit,” she replies.
Chapter Four
I call him back.
Let’s be real, I want that man more than I want candy, and I’m a girl who loves candy.
He answers on the first ring. “Rhianna.” He says my name so smoothly, and I smile to myself as I unlock my front door.
“Noah,” I reply. “I’m returning your call.”
“That you are. But what I want to know is when I can see you?”
I look down at my dress. Ewww, it needs to go. Now. Tearing it off, I drop the phone in the process and quickly pick it back up.
“One second,” I yell as I reach for my Bulls shirt and throw it on with some jeans. Putting the phone back to my ear, I say, “I’m dressed, you have my full attention.”
“You were naked?” he asks.
“I didn’t start off that way, but yes.”
“You know it’s highly inappropriate to get naked on the first date, right?” he says, making me chuckle.
“First date?”
“Yes. Now tell me where I can pick you up, and feel free to get back into your earlier attire,” he says.
“Umm… I think I’ll wear clothes if you don’t mind.”
“I do mind, very much so. But one date at a time, I guess.”
“Yes,” I say, crossing my legs. “When would you like to go out?”
“Now…” he pauses, “… if you’re free.”
“Yes, I am. I’ll send you my address.”
“Got it! I’m not far. I’ll see you in ten minutes.” He hangs up.
Fuck.
Fuck.
I’m about to be alone with a man who has only ever visited me in my dreams, literally.
Grabbing some lip gloss, I coat my lips generously and find my shoes before I walk out the door. When I get downstairs, I find him straight away. He must have been closer than he thought. He walks over to me, instead of waiting at his car, and when he reaches me, he leans in and kisses my cheek.
“I was hoping to catch you off guard.” He looks me over. “But this will do just fine.”
He captures my hand in his, as if it’s something he does every day, and walks with me to the passenger side.
I watch him shamelessly as he walks in front of the car and around to his side. When he climbs in, he spares me a glance with a devastating smile before he drives off.
“Where to?” I ask, then smirk.
“Have you ever watched the sunset above the city?” he asks.
I look at my watch and realize it’s later than I thought. Lunch with my family went longer than it usually does.
“No.” I smile. “Is that where you’re taking me?” He turns to give me a quick glance. “No need to woo me. I may already be wooed just a little.” Especially now I know he’s not married. When he doesn’t say anything, I bite my lip and turn to look out the window.
We come to a stop, and when I turn to look, we are high a hill that overlooks the city below.
Noah gets out of the car and walks around to my side. He offers me his hand.
“I’m already a weak man when it comes to you. Knowing you want the same isn’t for the best,” he says. I place my hand in his and pull myself out of the car. Our bodies come close, and it takes everything in me to not reach up and place my lips on his, just to see what he tastes like.
Will he be sweet? Will I savor it?
He’s tall, so I only come up to the top of his shoulders. I like that as well.
I pull away first, keeping our hands locked as I look around.
“I don’t think I’ve been up here before,” I say. Glancing around, there are only a few cars up here. He looks to the footpath and nods for me to start walking. I step close, and my hand drops to my side as we walk in silence. Fairy lights illuminate our path, and the hill has a fountain at the top.
“Wow, this is beautiful.” You can see the whole city from where we are standing.
“Yes, I found this place a few months ago.” His eyes look off into the distance.
“You aren’t from here?” I ask. I certainly know of this place but have never actually taken the time to come up here. I’ve walked the trails at Mount Coot-Tha, but that’s it. And I may have been drunk when we did that.
“No, I am originally from Sydney. I moved here a year ago.” I want to ask him why, if it is because of her, but I keep that to myself.
For now.
“They do these picnic packages,” he says as we keep walking. There’s a picnic set up on the hill overlooking the city of Brisbane. A rug with pillows is spread out, and in the middle, a cheese and meat board with candles and fairy lights littered all around it.
“Wow.” It’s all I can manage.
“It’s been a long time since I had to “woo” a girl,” He uses air quotes around my word and chuckles. “So, I may be a little off my game.”
I shake my head as we get close and turn to face him.
“Consider me wooed. The most a man has ever done for me is to go down on me, which, I might add, was amazing but nothing like this.”
His vivid green eyes go large at my words, and I realize what I just said. I mean, I wasn’t lying, it’s the truth no man has ever tried to do anything romantic for me. Maybe that’s why I have never bothered staying with one. But Noah, well, he doesn’t seem like the boys I usually play with.
No, he is all man.
“Let’s eat, shall we?” He waves his hand, and I sit first. He waits until I am fully seated before he takes a seat next to me.
I look at the food laid out before us. Cheese, meats, fruits, there’s a mixture of everything. I pick up a strawberry and put it to my lips. When I turn to face him, he’s watching me.
“Trying to work you out is becoming more complicated than I anticipated,” he says.
“You’ve only just met me, so I would hope so,” I reply, taking another bite. He watches my every movement.
“I’m particularly good at reading people. It’s what makes me the best at what I do,” he says with such authority it almost comes off as cockiness. But I believe what he’s said.
“A lawyer, right?” He raises an eyebrow. “I have my ways, too, you know.” I wink at him, reaching for more food.
“Yes, a lawyer.”
“For criminals?” I ask, even though I know the answer.
“Yes, everyone needs defense, some are harder to defend than others.”
“What are you working on now, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I have a client who I believe to be not guilty, so right now, I am gathering enough evidence to bring it to the courts for a retrial.” He pauses. “August has had a rough upbringing, but he’s a determined man. I like that about him.”
“August. I know of him. Sent to prison for robbery, right?”
“Yes,” he answers.
“I know him. Well, not really. He is a few years older than my sister and me, but he went to our school, and everyone knows who he is. He has a name attached to him, that’s for sure.”
“Yes, but I didn’t come to speak about August. I came to get to know you and what else you do besides work at a coffee house and stalking customers in clubs.” He picks up a piece of cheese and eats it, then pours us both a glass of champagne, handing me one.
We chat, and he asks me about my life. Where I have been, what I do other than work. I tell him I love adventure, and that I am the black sheep of the family. He doesn’t believe me. But he hasn’t met my sister yet either.
&
nbsp; He goes on to tell me about his life before he moved to Brisbane but leaves out his wife. Not once does he mention her. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask, but I choose not to, not yet anyway.
I can save that for another day.
Chapter Five
He doesn’t kiss me. He’s a gentleman. Instead, he walks me to my door, says goodnight, and waits until I get inside before he walks back to his car and drives away.
The date was perfect.
We held hands, we talked, we got to know each other.
We kept difficult questions at bay and stuck to things that first dates should consist of.
The smile on my face is large, even if I didn’t get a kiss.
My phone beeps when I enter my lounge room and see Vicky sitting with a bowl of popcorn on her lap as she watches television.
I’m already planning our next date.
“Well, you either got really lucky, or you plan to. I can’t decide which by looking at you,” Vicky says.
I put my phone down, but the smile on my face doesn’t shift. It can’t. Because I’m ridiculously happy. Who would have thought the man I have been crushing on for months is now no longer in my dreams but a reality? “I’m waiting for you to tell me everything,” she shouts as I plonk myself down next to her.
Reaching into her bucket, I grab a whole handful of popcorn and stuff my face full. She watches me eagerly, waiting for me to speak patiently, but her eyebrows are raised in anticipation.
“You are just mean. Stop eating and tell me,” she says as I smile at her words.
The door to our apartment opens, and my sister walks in. She comes to sit right next to me and drops her head on my shoulder.
“Do not stop because your twin is here, I want to hear how the date went.”
“So do I,” Rylee chimes in, not moving her head from my shoulder.
“He took me to the top of the city and had a picnic planned out with champagne. It was…”
“Perfect,” my sister finishes for me with sadness in her voice.
“Yes, it was perfect. No one has done anything like that for me before.” They both go quiet, and I nudge Rylee, who’s still lying on my shoulder. “Tell me what’s wrong with you?” I know something’s wrong, I know her better than anyone. It’s a twin thing.