Im so sorry, said Kalissa, regretting her decision to show up unannounced. I thought this was the best way. But I didnt think...I didnt know...I realize this must be a bombshell for you.
Who are you? asked Darci.
My name is Kalissa Smith. I saw your wedding pictures, and well...I guess you can figure out why Im here.
You look just like me.
I know.
I mean exactly like me.
Weird, isnt it?
Darci moved closer, peering at Kalissa.
Kalissa knew she was doing the same thing back.
Darcis eyes might be a slightly paler shade of green. But their mouths were identical, so were their chins, their noses, even their hairline. Kalissa had never come across anyone with that little swoop at their part, never mind the exact shade of auburn in their hair.
Are we twins? asked Darci.
I think we must be. My birthday is October third.
Darcis eyes widened. Holy cow.
I didnt want to bother you, said Kalissa. I wasnt going to say anything. I mean, I know you must be busy, being a newlywed, and with this huge company and all. But Im going on a date tomorrow night, and there were these girls in Annabelles Discount Boutique, and they thought I was you, and they took a photo, and I realized it could happen again, somewhere else, like the Navy Pier, while I was on a date, and people might think it was you. Kalissa clamped her mouth shut. Im rambling.
Were twins, said Darci in obvious astonishment. I dont understand. How did that happen? Were you raised by our mother? Why didnt she bring you back? And why didnt dad ever tell me that Darci smiled. Now, whos rambling?
Its unbelievable, Kalissa whispered.
She hadnt expected to feel this way, this ache deep down in her heart. She wanted to grab Darci and pull her into a hug. She had a sister. Tears started to tingle at the backs of her eyes.
The door whooshed open behind her.
Sweetheart, came a mans voice. Tuck is asking if...Oh, Im sorry.
Kalissa turned.
The man, obviously Shane, instantly froze in place.
Darling, said Darci, a tremor in her voice. It appears theres something more my father neglected to mention.
What on earth? Shane started to circle Kalissa.
We have the same birthday, said Darci.
Is this a con?
Kalissa couldnt help but smile. She didnt blame Shane one bit for his suspicions. Shed have worried about him if he had accepted this at face value.
Is she asking for money? asked Shane.
No, said Darci.
Im not, said Kalissa. You couldnt get me to take money if you tried.
His eyes narrowed. Thats how all the best cons start off.
Look at her, said Darci.
Well want DNA, said Shane.
Take it, if you want it, said Kalissa. But its not necessary. Im not going to hang around. I only wanted to warn you, well, warn Darci. Since your wedding, people have started to mistake me for her. Im out in public. I shop at discount stores. Sometimes I swear, or get angry with a store clerk or, and this is the big one, go out on dates. I have a date tomorrow night, and I was worried Id be mistaken for Darci. That might look bad on the two of you, and I didnt want to cause either of you any trouble.
Shane stared at her in silence.
Thank you, said Darci. Thats very considerate of you. But seriously. She broke into a grin. Then, without warning, she rushed forward, opening her arms to pull Kalissa into a hug. I have a twin sister.
Kalissa closed her eyes, unexplainable feelings coursing through her.
Darci drew back, cradling Kalissas cheeks with her hands. You are beautiful. Then she laughed. Didnt that sound conceited.
Kalissa took in every contour of Darcis face, settling on her left cheekbone. You have a freckle.
You dont.
I dont, Kalissa agreed.
Shane cleared his throat. Im cancelling everything for the rest of the day.
Kalissa turned to him. Oh, no. Dont do that. I didnt plan to mess up your day.
Of course Im doing that. You two have a million things to talk about. Well go to the penthouse, order some dinner. And wine. Well need some really good wine.
For a toast, said Darci.
Shane gave a disbelieving shake of his head. A toast is the least of why we need the wine.
* * *
Riley could have happily done nothing but stare at Kalissa all night long. Her hair was full and shiny tonight, bouncing around her bare shoulders. Makeup brightened her beautiful face. While her tight jeans and the breezy little tank top were already giving him fantasies.
Theyd snacked their way through the food kiosks and bought matching key chains with colorful, stylized letters on the fob. Hed held her hand while they navigated the crowds, waiting in a long lineup to get on the Ferris wheel. But it was worth the wait. The skies were clear, dotted with faint stars, while the skyline of Chicago was illuminated in the clear night air.
The bustle and noise of the crowds disappeared as they swept upward in the dangling car. The wind buffeted them, cooling the air temperature. Riley wrapped an arm around her, letting his fingertips brush her smooth, bare shoulder.
Ive never done this before, she told him. Wow. Look at the city.
Youve never been up here at night?
She shook her head. I mean its my first time on the Ferris wheel. Ive never been to the Pier before.
I thought you said you grew up in Chicago.
My mom wasnt into things like this. They hit the outer apex of the curve and she grasped his arm. This is fantastic.
Gratification swelled his chest. No wonder you seem like a little kid.
She tilted her head to give him an unabashed grin. Do you mind?
Not at all. He liked that about her. In fact, so far, he liked everything about her.
As they swung toward the top, he impulsively leaned in for a kiss. Her lips were warm and moist against his. She tasted like cotton candy, and he couldnt stop himself from taking the kiss deeper and deeper.
By the time he pulled back, theyd crested the top. Her eyes were shinning in the rides bright lights, and her rosy cheeks had a new glow.
I used to come here with my friends sometimes, he told her. When I was a teenager.
It was a rare occurrence, since his childhood years hadnt held much in the way of amusement. His mother had been the runaway daughter of Irish immigrants. With only a tenth grade education, shed worked as a housekeeper for Dalton Colborn for nearly twenty years before succumbing to a bout of pneumonia.
Determined to hold Kalissa even closer, he settled his free hand at her waist, finding a warm strip of skin at her stomach.
Were you a wild teenager? she asked.
Occasionally, he admitted. We used to street race, and we partied pretty hard. We once stole ethanol from the high school science lab. Made a killer punch that got about thirty kids blasted.
Whos we?
My friend Ashton and I.
I can picture that.
It occurred to Riley that if he wanted to impress her, he should probably change the subject from his teenage transgressions. What about you? What were you like as a kid?
My friend Ashton and I.
I can picture that.
It occurred to Riley that if he wanted to impress her, he should probably change the subject from his teenage transgressions. What about you? What were you like as a kid?
She smoothed her hair in the wind and gave him an innocent smile. I was good as gold.
I dont believe you.
Its true. I studied hard trying to get a scholarship, and I had a part time job from the time I was fourteen. I wanted to go to college, and I knew my mother could never afford it.
So, you were the consummate good girl?
I was.
He moved in to playfully nuzzle her neck. Thats sexy. It makes me want to corrupt you.
She tapped him in the chest. Theres something wrong with you. But she was laughing as she said it.
Theres a whole lot wrong with me.
Do tell.
I dont think so.
The ground rushed up, and the car glided to a stop, giving him an easy way out of the conversation.
He exited first, then took her hand, keeping hold of it as they walked away.
Its almost time for the fireworks, he said.
I cant wait.
The best view is at the far end of the pier.
Lets go. She picked up the pace, leaning up against his arm.
He liked the feel of her against him.
The crowds had grown thinner as the evening wore on, with fewer kids darting from side to side on the walkway. They passed under strings of decorative, white lights and along yachts moored in the lake. Her hand felt good in his, but he gave in to the urge to wrap his arm around her shoulders again. She slipped hers across his back, and their thighs brushed together while they walked.
He didnt want the night to end. He wanted to take her home with him, make love to her, sure, but also hold her sleeping in his arms, talk to her over breakfast, maybe plan their Saturday together.
The vision prompted a wave of guilt. She was open and fresh and genuine, while he was a fraud, hiding the most basic of information from her.
Determined to get them on a better footing, he found a clear spot in the crowd. Then he urged her toward the rail, turning her there so they were face to face.
What now? Her smile was in place, but she was searching his expression with obvious confusion.
Its Ellis, he said, ignoring his own hesitation. My last name is Ellis.
Her smile faded, and she peered at him intently. Are you in the witness protection program?
No. Where had that come from?
I thought maybe youd testified against a crime boss or something.
Im not a criminal.
You said you were a thief.
Ethanol. From an institution. Probably about ten bucks worth of the stuff.
Her smile came back, and her voice went sexy and low. Riley Ellis.
Something shifted inside him.
She repeated his name.
He kissed her. It was fleeting at first, but then deeper and longer. He loved kissing her. But they were in public, so he forced himself to stop.
He rested his hands on the rails, arms around her, slowing his breathing down. I promised you fireworks.
Her eyes were wide and clear, her lips dark red. You meant in the sky, right? Not the ones going off inside my brain right now.
His hands twitched. You have absolutely no sense of self-preservation.
And you have no sense of humor.
You are not a good girl.
I said I was once a good girl. She planted a quick kiss on his mouth and then ducked under his arm.
He immediately caught her and wrapped his arm around her as they walked. Okay, now youre taking all the fun out of the chase.
There they go, she called out as the first red and yellow starbursts banged through the air and lit up the sky.
They quickened their pace, laughing as they went. Riley found them a table at the beer garden, ordering beers and a savory platter.
He angled his chair toward her. Hed seen the fireworks before, but hed never watched Kalissa watching them. The bright colors reflected off her skin and flashed in her shinning eyes. She was so much more beautiful than the display in the sky.
She caught his gaze and did a double take.
Hey, he said softly.
Hey.
How do you like them so far?
Theyre stunning.
Stunning, he agreed, his gaze fixed on her.
She glanced back at the sky, but then returned her attention to him.
Want to know what I did yesterday? she asked.
Absolutely. He wanted to know everything about her.
She traced a line along her plastic beer cup. I met Darci.
Everything went still inside Riley.
It took him a minute to respond. Your sister?
Yes, my sister. Who else would I be talking about?
He sat back in his chair.
Hed known this would happen. At one point, hed even thought it might be good for him. Hed considered that Kalissa might give him some inside information on Shane.
But that was days ago. Now he didnt want Kalissa talking to the Colborns at all.
Riley definitely wanted to see her again.
But now that shed met Darci, well, sisters talked, even estranged sisters were likely to talk eventually. And when they did, it was game over for him. Because the minute Shane knew Riley was in her life, hed do everything in his power to turn her against him.
How did it go? he managed to ask.
It went well, really well. They seem terrific, very down to earth, way more down to earth than I expected.
Great, he said, covering his expression with a drink of his beer.
The fireworks popped and cracked in the distance, and the crowd oohed and aahed. Riley wanted to put his fist through the table.
* * *
Kalissa could tell something had changed. It was subtle, but Riley was quieter during the drive home, and he wasnt making any jokes. He drove directly to the Mosaic Landscaping storefront, swinging his sports car to the curb.
He hadnt suggested stopping at his place. Not that shed wanted to stop at his place. Not that she would have said yes to stopping at his place. But there was something weird about him not even asking.
He pulled on the emergency brake, leaving the stick shift in neutral and the engine running as he exited the drivers door. He moved to her side of the car, opening the door and taking her hand while she stepped out.
Thank you, she said, wishing this feeling of dread would go away, wishing hed say or do something to reassure her. I had a very nice time.
I did too. His expression looked sincere.
What was she missing?
She took another stab. Im sorry I cant invite you upstairs. Megans there and, well, its a pretty small apartment.
The opening was a mile wide, but he didnt suggest an alternative to her place.
I understand, he said instead, easing a little closer.
Is something wrong? she couldnt help asking.
Everythings great. Youre great. He tucked her hair behind one ear, sliding his palm to the back of her neck.
Anticipation warmed her skin and increased her pulse.
Goodnight, Kalissa, he whispered. His lips came down on hers, soft and hot. But the kiss was slightly different. It didnt hold the burning passion of the ones on the Ferris wheel.