Chapter 24
Kat peeked through the crack in the massive drapes as Lisa Throw introduced the live episode. Amidst the introduction, the popular host promised loads of action, drama, and surprises that no one would see coming.
All of it set Kat’s growing anxiety into train-wreck speed. As soon as the woman introduced her, Kat would walk out and face not only the audience but Zander too.
An ache pinched at her heart at the idea of seeing him again.
“Kat,” someone hissed from behind.
Kat stiffened at the sound of her name. She spun to look over her shoulder, certain she’d see Randall and his shiny face filled with worry, ready to shoo her onto the stage. She didn’t.
“Dad?” Forget train-wreck speed, her pulse was racing up there with jet airplanes by now. “You can’t be back stage like this.”
“It’s fine. Your mom’s saving my seat.” He brought his hands to her shoulders and squared a look at her. “I found a way out.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean an acquaintance of mine just offered to pay your legal fees if you want to get out of your contract.”
Excitement hit Kat like a splash of icy water. “You’re kidding,” she breathed. “Wait, it better not be you, Dad. You guys don’t have—”
“It’s not me,” he interrupted. “It’s someone who can afford it. And they’ve offered to help.”
“Wow.” The word slipped off her lips. “So I can say no to all of this? Even the show?”
Her dad tipped his head. “Yes. But I really hope you’ll at least hear Zander out before you choose. I just wanted you to know that, at least now, you have a choice. But before you make it, search your heart, Kat, and think about what it really is that you want.”
Search your heart. Those words cycled through her mind as her father hurried toward a small set of steps backstage. She set her eyes back on the monitor as Lisa spoke up once more, her British accent in full form.
“We’ve told you about the shocking discovery viewers are calling the twin swap, since Duke’s very own twin, Zander, stepped into his place in time for the nuptials while Duke was away.
“What resulted was a love story no one could’ve predicted. And even still, we’re not sure how it will end. Let’s first welcome to the stage the man every woman secretly dreams about, the same man who skipped town in time for his own wedding, Mr. Duke Benton.”
Duke waved charismatically as he strode onto the stage. The manner was so entirely different from Zander’s that, had Kat paid attention to the twins sooner, she might have picked up on the differences herself.
“As you know, Duke,” Lisa said once they were seated. “We’ll be giving Kat a choice. She’ll spend the duration of her filming contract with either you or your twin, Zander. How would you feel if she decided to stay with you?”
A wide grin spread over his face. As the camera zoomed in on him, a familiar ache sank deep into Kat’s gut. It was that same, sick longing she felt when going to kid’s camp for three whole weeks in her youth. She was homesick. Homesick for the man who, somehow, became home to her in a matter of days.
“As much as I’d like having Kat to myself for a while—what man wouldn’t—I’d be…nervous.”
Lisa’s eyebrows shot up. “Nervous? That’s not what I expected you to say. Why nervous?”
“First off, I’d be scared that Zander would kick my face in the dirt if I dared even look at her.”
The crowd laughed, and Lisa did too.
“So you’re talking about a little sibling rivalry, are you?” Lisa prodded.
“I guess you could call it that. When Zander and I were younger, we fell for the same chicks all the time. I was usually the first one to make a move,” Duke admitted, “and I was always quick to tell the ladies that—with me—they were getting the better twin of the two.”
“Ah…” Lisa tipped her head back. “Is that what you plan to tell Kat when she joins us on stage?”
Duke’s lips pinched closed as he shot a look into the lens. “You’ll have to wait and find out.”
Kat could see it now, more of the nuances that set Duke and his brother apart. It made her long for Zander even more. Made her miss the way he’d lift one brow and give her that knowing half grin.
“Before we bring out the man who came to the show’s rescue, so to speak, let’s watch the last video diary he recorded, just moments before our producers so rudely interrupted their fun.”
