Page 20 of The Beat Match

“I have a step-sister who’d love the little bugger. She’d be thrilled.”

Agreeing and chasing Falcon would mean bringing Duncan to the club with her. Not ideal. She’d rather not tell him about her DJing plans, and she couldn’t picture him dancing in a club. Never mind that the maneuver was utterly selfish. But he’d said he didn’t care why she agreed to a date, and she could ask Vivian to tag along as a buffer. “Fine, but I’m making the plans. I’ll text you the address to a club. Seedier area, so don’t flash your money or fancy clothes around. Meet me there at eleven. Unless clubbing isn’t your speed.”

He hesitated a moment, then raked his hand through his country-club hair. “If you’re there, beautiful, it’s my speed.”

Duncan was in for a hefty surprise, and so was Falcon. Tonight would be the night she finally spoke with him. She was tired of chasing a ghost. She would not be deterred. Until then, she’d listen to music, get pumped for the club. She’d forget about whatever had zinged through her when touching Wes. She even had a sexy outfit ready to impress Falcon.

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7

Vivian was at the bar when Annie arrived, unexpectedly chatting with Sarah—the same private eye from several weeks ago. Lots of close talking, subtle touching. Still into each other.

Annie dodged a few people and joined them. “Looks like you two have been here awhile.”

Vivian cozied up to Sarah’s side. “We’re celebrating. I got myself background checked and passed with flying colors.”

Sarah raised a dubious eyebrow. “I overlooked her college arrest. And the vandalism incident.”

“Graffiti art isn’t vandalism.” Vivian danced as she spoke, cozying up to Sarah.

“Tell that to the gas station you decorated with Kama Sutra poses.”

Vivian pouted. “It’s not fair. All I can do is stalk her on social media.”

“Y’all are too cute, digging up dirt on each other.” Annie ordered a margarita and settled against the long bar, facing out to watch the action. “I’m guessing this place used to be a theater.”

“With that kind of attention to detail,” Sarah said, “you could be my assistant.”

As much as Annie enjoyed detective shows, a private eye she was not. She’d get bored in the middle of a stakeout and miss the big event. It wasn’t tough to see the history in this remodeled club, though. Whatever seats had lined the auditorium had been removed, but the soaring embossed ceiling was still extravagant, the stage breathtakingly broad. A crimson curtain hung behind the current DJ. The woman playing was knocking out some funky beats, but she was no Falcon.

“When’s your date showing?” Vivian asked.

“Eleven-ish. And don’t laugh when you see him. He’ll be a fish out of water in here.” For the life of her, she couldn’t picture Duncan mingling with this crowd. Half of them had neon makeup painted on their faces, some wore threadbare clothes and Freed by the Falcon T-shirts. Others looked like they’d raided a spandex factory.

“You certainly dressed to impress.”

“What? This old thing?” Annie was totally on the prowl, but Duncan wasn’t the man set in her sights. She’d pulled out all the stops and shimmied into a mini skirt and a gold sequined tank, red thigh-high boots completing her look.

She loved piecing together thrift-store outfits, feeling chic and comfy when out and about. Her club style was tapping into another side of her she’d never explored. Wearing skimpier attire at bars made her feel sexy, confident. Her inner vixen unleashed. She’d used her newfound feminine wiles to sweet-talk a bouncer tonight, ensuring she’d be let backstage after the show.

“I’m here for the music,” she told Vivian. She was about to admit she’d been taking DJ lessons and planned to work with Falcon, but a woman, who looked exactly like Sarah, waved their way. “Did you know you’re dating a clone?”

Vivian followed Annie’s wide eyes and laughed. “That’s her twin. They even dress similar and love all the same stuff, spend tons of time together. My sister and I are lucky to see each other on holidays.”

“I can’t tell them apart.”

“Yeah, it’s nuts. What about you? Any siblings? An identical twin with stunning hazel eyes and a sexy birthmark by her lips?”

Annie glanced down, feigning embarrassment. Compliments made her blush, but this wasn’t self-consciousness. All these years later, she never knew if she should save people the awkward interlude and tell them she didn’t have a sibling. Or smile and say she had a brother, or admit he’d been killed in a club like this. On July 27th. Twelve years, three hundred, and sixty days ago.

Her breathing turned shallow. Heat stung her eyes, the sudden rise of emotion horrifying. She never cried. Keeping herself together was a well-honed skill. Yet the urge to blow past Vivian and escape to the bathroom had her tensing.

“There she is,” Duncan said, his head appearing over Vivian’s shoulder.

Annie let out a shaky breath. She never imagined she’d be this thrilled to see her date.

“Glad you showed.” She walked over and kissed his cheek. His potent cologne made her eyes water more.