Mum was probably to thank for this. She was the only link that still existed between us.
The only one I’d acknowledge, anyway.
Max had reached out a few times over the years, most recently the day I’d met Kate. I’d never replied.
Not whilehewas still in Max’s life. I didn’t need confirmation that he was. Nothing would’ve changed in that regard.
“Well come on in,” I said, forcing my hand not to shake as I clapped the bloke next to me on the shoulder. “Gary, you don’t mind moving so Max and I can catch up?”
“We’ll need two seats,” Max said as he came up beside me. I glanced at him sharply and the wariness in his eyes had something in me slipping.
No.Nononono.
Max’s voice dropped low. “I tried to get him to stay away, but?—”
I grabbed the back of my chair as the whole room tilted sideways. “Max, tell me he isn’t here.”
To his credit, Max flinched. “Maybe it’s time you talked. I know he?—”
“No.” I cut him off again. There were too many curious eyes watching us. Too many witnesses to my undoing. I lowered my voice to a whisper as I pleaded with my twin. “Max, I swear to god. You can’t let him?—”
“Let me do what?” A voice echoed from behind me, encasing my lungs like cold silk. Threatening to suffocate me. “Since when do I let anyone tell me what to do?”
Dominic.He was here. He was really fucking here.
My worst nightmare was coming true.
I should’ve known the second I saw Max. Wherever my brother was, Dominic was never far behind.
I didn’t turn to face him. It took me a few seconds, but I managed to string together a sentence. “Daily, I’d assume, given you’re in the army.”
A forearm reached around me, thick muscle hidden under white cotton. Long fingers plucked the glass from my hand with ease. Fingers that covered pages of my old sketchbooks. The ones I hadn’t opened in over a decade. “Not anymore. Finished my last tour a week ago. Just in time, wouldn’t you say?”
A cold trickle ran through me. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
Dominic’s answer was a dark chuckle. “So it’s going to be like that.”
Max shot me a guilty look before turning to his attention to the table. Within seconds, he had them all laughing as he displayed his easy charm. I’d had to work hard to learn something my twin had been born with.
At least this time he was using it for good—distracting everyone from the sight of my life imploding.
I felt Dominic at my back, his presence looming large despite the changes in my height and stature. I still didn’t look at him. Instead, I squared my shoulders and marched for the bar.
I gestured at the bartender for another drink. In my peripheral vision, I saw Dominic lean on the bar facing me. I wasn’t the only one whose physique had changed. He was taller than I remembered, broader too. I kept my gaze fixed forwards, refusing to give him the courtesy of acknowledging him.
The bartender delivered another glass of amber liquid. I drained half the glass in a swift gulp, relishing the burn.
“I didn’t know you drank whisky.”
The glass settled on the wood with aclink. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me now.”
“Evidently.” I knew his gaze was sweeping over me, and I fucking hated it. I hated that I could read him like a book. It gave me some comfort that he couldn’t say the same about me. “You’re like a whole new person.”
“I am.”
“And you’re going to be married, apparently.”
My nostrils flared as my fingers dug into the bar. “There’s noapparentlyabout it, Dominic. I’m engaged. I’m getting married. I’m very happy.”
