Page 98 of Love On and Off Set

“I know.” I winced. “My brother died after being hit by an SUV in October. The asshole driver was drunk. He’s going to trial next year sometime.” I blinked. “Well, that would be this year.”

Robbie blinked. Several times. “Your brother…?”

“Yeah, Stefan. Great guy. Like a way-better person than I ever might hope to—”

“You’re Stefan’s brother?”

Hadn’t I just said that? As I gazed into startled dark brown eyes, realization dawned. “Oh shit.”

Again, Robbie blinked. “I haven’t had anything to drink.”

“But you knew Stefan. My twin brother.”

Robbie gaped. “Like, that’s not a thing, right?”

“Having a twin? I promise you, it’s definitely a thing.”

“He never said…”

“Yeah, he wouldn’t. I mean, he might say he had a sibling, but he was always vague about me. People would find out I worked in the movie business, or even VJ in particular, and things would get weird. He was just happy to have a great relationship with me, but not necessarily tell everyone.” I cocked my head. “I should’ve realized you might’ve known Stefan. Just, you know, Vancouver’s a big city. Well, biggish. And you didn’t come to the funeral. Or at least I don’t remember seeing you. And obviously you would’ve seen me, since I gave the eulogy—”

“You’re Stefan’s twin brother.”

I blinked. “Uh, yeah.”

“I thought you were a ghost. I mean, I saw you on the street, and then here, and I thought you were haunting me because…”

He trailed off.

“Oh, good, food isn’t here yet.” Even as Julie sat, the server arrived with her drink.

“Just a few more minutes for the food.”

“Brilliant.” Julie pressed a hand to her flat stomach. “I’m starving.”

The server headed off.

Julie glanced between the two of us. “I thought you said this wasn’t a date…”

“It’s not.” Robbie and I both managed a smile as we’d said the words at the same time.

I pointed to him. “He knew Stefan.”

Julie’s gaze moved to him. “Oh, I’m sorry. His death was so awful.” She grasped my hand. “Brody was devastated. I mean, still is. And that horrible drunk driver—” She shivered. “We were always careful before, but even more so now. I can’t believe it’s this far into the new century and people still think it’s okay to drink and drive. That’s just wretched.” She frowned. “Oh, did you say how you knew each other?”

Robbie cleared his throat. “He was the new office manager at the dental practice where I’m the receptionist. He was sort of my boss.”

“But only for a few days.” I cocked my head. “He’d started that job, what, four days before he died?”

The man nodded.

I winced. “I think we invited the staff. Truthfully, I don’t know if anyone came.”

“Alrick and Maurice.” He offered a small smile. “One of the hygienists and one of the dentists. I…” He blinked. “I couldn’t do it.”

“Nachos with an extra side of sour cream.” The server, whose name I couldn’t remember, gave an extra-bright smile to Julie.

Ah, so that’s it. Yeah, I’d hit on Julie too if I thought she might be interested…