“You and this guy were serious?”
Laylee snorted. “Not even.” Her jaw clenched. “But she and I were close, or so I thought.” In a rush, she asked, “Can I hang with you for a few days?”
Under these new circumstances, Skye didn’t hesitate to say, “Absolutely.”
Hopeful, Laylee asked, “For maybe a week or two?”
Ouch. That was tougher, but this was her sister. Differences aside, Skye loved her. “Of course.”
Laylee deflated again. “You’re the absolute best. All the good genes went to you.”
“Ha!”
Laylee peeked at her. “Please don’t do that. You are my sister, my twin, my best friend, and I think you’re incredibly perfect. Just accept the compliment.”
It had always been that way. Others talked about how all the best features had gone to Laylee, but Laylee insisted the opposite was true.
Dutifully, Skye whispered, “Thank you.”
With that point settled, Laylee moved on. “I don’t mean to be a coward, but my apartment is right next door to Marta’s, and I don’t want to face her until I’m ready.”
“Marta is your friend?”
“Ex-friend. She burned that bridge, and I kicked the ashes. Done and done.”
“Understandable.” Forcing the words out, Skye said, “Stay as long as you like.”
Launching from her seat, Laylee gave Skye a fierce hug. “You’ve always, always been the best part of me.”
Hard to imagine, but Skye’s amazing day had just gotten even better.
“Come on.” Laylee snagged her hand and tugged her down the hall.
“Where are we going?”
“You said Ford is taking you to the restaurant tomorrow, right? And a party the week after that? We need to pick out some killer outfits for you. You’re going to rock his world.”
Alarmed, Skye tried to stall, but Laylee only dragged her along. “I’m not going to wear your clothes.”
“I know. Ford was right. You look incredible in earth tones. You—we—have great skin, and the colors you choose really complement your complexion. Plus I love your hair. I mean, I love that it’s different from mine, but it also totally suits you.”
Er . . . “Thank you?”
Showing no compunction at all, Laylee entered Skye’s bedroom and made a beeline for her closet, where she began ruthlessly rummaging through her things.
“The dinner is upscale,” Skye offered. “Those dresses are in the back.”
“And the party?”
“More casual, but I’ll still wear a dress.”
“Aha.” Laylee found what she wanted. “This is going to be perfect.”
* * *
Seated at the restaurant table with many business friends, Skye was a bundle of nerves. She felt certain that everyone would look at her with Ford and somehow know they weren’t a real couple. Worse, she kept waiting for Clyde to show up.
Leaning close to her ear so the others wouldn’t hear, Ford said, “Have I told you how incredible you look?”
