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It was a picture of a group of his theater friends from SMU. His arm was draped casually around Tamera. She wore a cool smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. He hadn’t looked at the photo in years. He snatched the photo from her, dropped it back in the box and shoved everything back into the cabinet and stood. He was stunned to see his guest blinking quickly. One tear didn’t quite make it and slid down her cheek.
“She’s dead, you know.” The soft words reverberated through the room.
She just kept hitting him with shock after shock.
He fell in the closest chair and stared at her. Really looked at her. She still wore her orange purse across her body. She hadn’t even taken off her wooly cardigan. Her hair was still in coiled braids, reminiscent of the era they would be portraying. The costumer hadn’t yet begun outfitting him.
Time for a change of subject. “Where did you study?”
“Northwestern.”
“I don't believe it.”
“Yes, well. I can't help that.” She strolled over and dropped into the other of the two comfy chairs. She was telling the truth, he decided.
“How did she die?”
Her eyes took on that rapid blinking again. “Ectopic pregnancy, gone too far. Last year. My parents still haven’t recovered. They want me home.” Her jaw firmed; her eyes glittered with determination. “But I can’t go. Iwon’tgo. I am not my sister.”
For the first time since Aiden had seen her, he discerned the difference between her and Tamera. “So, your name really is Maylis?”
“Of course.” She frowned. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
Something in his chest cracked open and he smiled. “I’m sorry about your sister. You’re right. She never mentioned being a twin. I didn’t know. I knew there was a sister, of course, but nothing more. I take it you didn’t know many of her friends from college?”
“No. I’d been in Illinois all the time she was in Dallas. I invited her to visit of course, but she always had an excuse. And when I offered to come see her…” Her voice trailed off.
“She had a reason for you not to come?”
“Nothing she ever articulated. I did get to know a few of her friends over the phone since half the time I called, she was unavailable. Then there was the funeral. Some of her old friends from school attended.” She gave him a wry smile. “They were stunned, as you can imagine, by how closely we resembled one another.”
“Yeah. As one who experienced it himself.” He shook his head.
She rose from her chair. “Look, I need to get home.”
“Are you seeing anyone now?”
“I don’t date coworkers.”
His dick stirred against his zipper. “Who said anything about dating?”
“Especially someone who slept with my sister. You aren’t going to tell me you didn’t fuck my sister, are you? Because I would be inclined to think of you as a big-time liar.”
“No, I’m not going to tell you that.” It was obvious she wouldn’t believe him. “It is true though that we only saw each other a couple of weeks. And that was several years ago.” Hearing the word “fuck” from those luscious lips of hers did something to him.
“There’s a code. Asistercode.”
“Don't you think we should practice my kissing?” The question was rhetorical. He couldn’t imagine this girl panting “harder, faster, deeper.” There was an innocence about her that Tamera had never possessed. In fact, the part of the virginal Teresa inVictorywas the perfect part for Maylis, he decided.
“You’re a talented actor.” Her hand fluttered out in a delicate wave. “I’m sure you can manage to convince an audience of your undying affection for a blind heroine.”
“Well, if you’re sure you don’t have any more instructions.”
Again, that faint blush. “I’m sure.”
Damn, if he wasn’t hot for her. But she was right. There was a code. Yet, a slow burn trickled through him.
5
