Odd:He doesn’t want that.
Evie:Bullshine.
Odd:I wish. Anyway, I’m on a date right now. Parker said I had to.
Evie:Parker, I’m adding you. A tall blond walked into the museum earlier and DB nearly gave himself whiplash.
Evie:Then proceeded to look like the saddest puppy known to man.
Parker:OMG. Tell him that Odd is on a date and see what that does to him.
Evie:Odd, make sure Parker stops hanging around Anders.
Evie:But I’ll see if I can drop it in.
Evie:I’ve got to get back into it before Scout scowls at another potential buyer.
Parker:Try to take a video when you tell him about Odd.
Just as I ponder the existential weirdness of my lifeandwhere the hell my date went, the notification on my phone goes off again. This time it’s Thane.
Thane:I hear he called you and told you a load of horseshit
Thane:The guy is a walking dirge right now
Odd:Why is everyone telling me about DeShaun’s mental state?
Thane:Because you’re the only one who calls him DeShaun
Thane:
The picture he sends is like a punch to the gut. It’s a group shot and DeShaun is smiling, but he’s looking down and away, the sadness in his eyes unmissable. If I could, I would take all of that pain away from him.
Yes, I know that’s not how it works. But damn, if it was, I’d be there with bells on.
Thankfully—I guess—Haisley joins me a few minutes later.
Talking with her hands, she puts her phone away and takes a big slug of her wine. “Sorry about that, had to take a phone call from work. I promise that doesn’t mean I’m some never-available, workaholic asshole.”
Trying to mentally set aside the barrage of texts from every-fucking-body, I plaster on a pleasant smile. “Coming from someone who is a frequently unavailable, workaholic asshole, I completely understand.”
She takes another drink, gesturing as she swallows. “Oh right, we haven’t talked about what we do. What do you do for work?”
Right as she asks the question, she looks up, eyes widening. I follow her line of sight and ball my fists.Anders. This is what I get for choosing a restaurant in his neighborhood.
He slides into the booth next to me like he belongs there and picks up my wine glass. “We both work at a local gym for combat vets.”
“What?” She looks between the two of us, completely thrown.
Anders throws her that Anders-smile of his, flirting with my goddamn date. “You asked what he does. We work together. At a gym for combat vets.”
She blinks, still thrown by his presence. It’s a natural reaction. “Twins?”
“Yes,” I say, rolling my eyes so hard they damn near do a three-sixty. “Haisley, meet my evil twin, Anders.”
He reaches out across the table, taking her hand. She’s practically breathless. “I like your hair.”
He amps up the wattage on his smile. “Oh, thanks, doll. I live a few blocks away from here, and I had to stop by when I saw my boring twin in the window.”
