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“I won’t forget. You swear you won’t let anyone pick them up without saying it?”
“It’s right here on their files. Even if someone else is sitting in this chair, they’ll know.”
“Perfect. I appreciate the effort.”
“No problem.”
We stare at each other for a moment before I spin around. The days of friendly greetings and goodbyes are long gone. We’re only civil for the sake of the kids.
Perhaps that will change after I get proof of my doppelgänger. And I intend to get that today before classes end.
ChapterTwenty
The sun shines brightly, making it warmer than usual for this time of year. It also lifts my mood, which I definitely need after my interaction with Emily. I hope they follow through with the password. There’s no way my doppelgänger can figure that out. I’m not even going to tell Peter about it. He almost never picks them up, so it won’t be a problem.
If only Emily, the computer, and I know about it, there’s no way anyone else can.
I almost hope that woman tries to get them today. Then everyone would see I’m right and not crazy.
Unless they still think she is me, which would likely convince them even more that I’m either taking after my dad or my brother. The mere thought exhausts me. It almost makes me want to set up an appointment with a therapist just to prove nothing is wrong with me.
But my time and money would both be better spent if I can find the woman and stop her myself.
Without realizing it, I’ve driven to the Cake Shack. I may as well go in and see what I can find out about my lookalike.
As soon as I open the door, the aromas of sugary sweetness hit me like a brick wall. I’m sure Sophie and Owen would love coming here. Maybe I’ll even bring them in for some cupcakes.
“Can I help you?” The girl behind the counter asks, giving me a wide grin. She hardly looks older than Nadia and Dakota, but if she isn’t in school, she must’ve already graduated. Not that her age matters. I just want answers.
“Yes.” I walk to the counter and smile in return. “I have an unusual question.”
“We make unusual items.” She points to a wall filled with pictures of cakes every shape and size.
“Impressive. But that isn’t what I’m here for.”
“You aren’t here for a cake?”
“I’m not. A friend of mine thought she saw me here last week, so I’m curious if you’ve seen anyone in here that looks like me.”
The girl tilts her head. “We get hundreds of people coming in and out every day, and I’m not here all day.”
“That’s okay. Do I look familiar?”
She gives me a bewildered expression. “It’s hard to say.”
“My friend claims that I downed an entire half-dozen tray of cupcakes.”
Her eyes light up, and she snaps her fingers. “Yes! I remember that now. You sat over there. I remember wondering if you were practicing for a pie-eating contest or something. Were you?”
My face warms. This girl actually thinks I was here pigging out. “You’re sure it was me?”
“Yeah. I even remember you had on a purple tank top. It struck me because it seemed cold to be wearing that, especially without a cardigan or something over your arms.”
I swear I’m going to burn that shirt. If I never wear it again, it’ll be too soon. In fact, I’m going to be careful about never wearing any clothing item too often moving forward. I might even take up the offer to let Lyra be my personal stylist once I put this doppelgänger madness behind me.
For now, I need to focus. I lean against the counter. “I don’t suppose you have video footage of me being in here?”
“Pardon me?”
