Chapter 4
They’d both smiled a lot on the ride home. Skye had barely been able to contain herself.
From the other end of the couch, wearing only a T-shirt and panties, with a bowl of ice cream in hand, Laylee shot her another look. “You’re glowing.”
Skye grinned at her sister. “That’s the reflection of the TV screen.” Watching romantic movies with her sister was practically a tradition—one Skye generally didn’t favor. Tonight though, nothing could spoil her good mood or her anticipation.
“Pretty sure it’s something more.” Laylee tucked her feet up beside her and then set her bowl on the end table. “When do you get the dog?”
“Nikki, the woman working at the shelter, promised we could have them in a few days. They like to check out everything first, to make sure the pets are going to good homes.” She’d already explained the arrangement to Laylee, which had prompted her sister to give Ford a few longer, speculative looks.
She might not have gone into detail, at least not yet, but when Ford had carried in two dog beds, one small for her runt, and one massive for when Maybelline visited, well, Laylee had demanded answers.
Since then, she’d been mostly quiet and introspective.
“You’re serious about him.”
Pretending to misunderstand, Skye asked, “Who, Ford?”
“Who, Ford?” Laylee repeated in a silly voice. “Don’t play innocent with me. I know you too well. You actually like him.”
“Well, of course I like him.”
Shaking her head, Laylee clarified, “I mean, like-like him.” To further explain, she added, “He’s not like Clyde.”
“Not in any way.”
“Well, other than being big and gorgeous.” Laylee bobbed her eyebrows. “Both men are fine eye candy.”
Ford wasn’t quite as big as Clyde, but what he lacked in bulk he made up for with confidence. Since neither of them were watching the movie, Skye paused it, then stood to put away their ice cream bowls.
“I’ll get them,” Laylee said, surprising her. “It’s the least I can do after crashing in on you.”
“You know I don’t mind.”
“Because you’re always too good to me.”
Her sister’s mood gave Skye pause. She allowed Laylee to take the dishes, but followed her into the kitchen. Usually if her sister dropped in, it meant something was wrong. “Laylee. . .”
“I’m sorry.”
Those blurted words further confused her. “For?”
While rinsing the dishes, Laylee heaved a deep sigh. After sticking the bowls and spoons in the dishwasher, she leaned back on the counter and met Skye’s gaze. “For a lot of things, I guess. First, I was mean.”
Taken aback, Skye pulled out a kitchen chair and sat. “When?”
Huffing a laugh, Laylee joined her at the table. “Guess I’m mean so often, you need specifics.”
Skye reached across the table for her hand. “You’re never mean.” She was just herself, bold and fearless, charismatic and yes, a little spoiled.
“I was hitting on your neighbor.” Laylee squeezed Skye’s hand. “Not that he noticed, and I’m not even sure why I did it.”
Skye knew why. Laylee wasn’t used to being ignored, and she definitely wasn’t used to a man giving more attention to Skye. None of that was important right now. “What’s wrong?” When Laylee started to pull away, Skye held on. “Fess up, sis. I can tell something is bothering you.”
Dramatically deflating, Laylee let her head thump onto the table. “I got dumped, and for a woman who hates me.”
Drawing back in surprise, Skye stared. She hadn’t known Laylee cared about a particular guy. “What do you mean, a woman who hates you?”
“She was a friend.” Peeking up, Laylee said, “Or at least, I thought she was. Turns out she just wanted my guy.”
“Your guy?”
Sitting up again, Laylee waved off the question. “No one important, except that he told me he was done because I wasn’t a nice person. Worse, he said I’m malicious, all because I stated the truth—that my so-called friend was jealous, a user, and a man stealer.”
Uh-oh. Skye scooted her chair around to sit closer to her sister. Gently, she asked, “Where were you two when you told her that?”
“At a party.”
Skye winced. “So in front of people?”
Shrugging, Laylee made it clear that wasn’t important. “Not like everyone didn’t know when I caught the two of them making out at the party.”
Worse and worse. “Making out?”
“Kissing, hugging, whatever. The party was mostly in the backyard, but she went in to get us more drinks, then he went in for something, and when he didn’t return right away, I went in to see what was going on, and yes, there was a lot going on.
” Showing she was still pained by the betrayal, Laylee closed her eyes.
“They were in the hall, all pressed together, and I just lost it.”
“I’m sorry.” Skye couldn’t imagine her proud, beautiful sister suffering that kind of humiliation. “I wish you had just called me.”
“Should have. It would have been better than blasting them both, because that drew attention, and pretty soon everyone knew, and then, bam, all of a sudden I was the bad guy.”
“You and this guy were serious?”
Laylee snorted. “Not even.” Her jaw clenched. “But she and I were close, or so I thought.” In a rush, she asked, “Can I hang with you for a few days?”
Under these new circumstances, Skye didn’t hesitate to say, “Absolutely.”
Hopeful, Laylee asked, “For maybe a week or two?”
Ouch. That was tougher, but this was her sister. Differences aside, Skye loved her. “Of course.”
Laylee deflated again. “You’re the absolute best. All the good genes went to you.”
“Ha!”
Laylee peeked at her. “Please don’t do that. You are my sister, my twin, my best friend, and I think you’re incredibly perfect. Just accept the compliment.”
It had always been that way. Others talked about how all the best features had gone to Laylee, but Laylee insisted the opposite was true.
Dutifully, Skye whispered, “Thank you.”
With that point settled, Laylee moved on. “I don’t mean to be a coward, but my apartment is right next door to Marta’s, and I don’t want to face her until I’m ready.”
“Marta is your friend?”
“Ex-friend. She burned that bridge, and I kicked the ashes. Done and done.”
“Understandable.” Forcing the words out, Skye said, “Stay as long as you like.”
Launching from her seat, Laylee gave Skye a fierce hug. “You’ve always, always been the best part of me.”
Hard to imagine, but Skye’s amazing day had just gotten even better.
“Come on.” Laylee snagged her hand and tugged her down the hall.
“Where are we going?”
“You said Ford is taking you to the restaurant tomorrow, right? And a party the week after that? We need to pick out some killer outfits for you. You’re going to rock his world.”
Alarmed, Skye tried to stall, but Laylee only dragged her along. “I’m not going to wear your clothes.”
“I know. Ford was right. You look incredible in earth tones. You—we—have great skin, and the colors you choose really complement your complexion. Plus I love your hair. I mean, I love that it’s different from mine, but it also totally suits you.”
Er . . . “Thank you?”
Showing no compunction at all, Laylee entered Skye’s bedroom and made a beeline for her closet, where she began ruthlessly rummaging through her things.
“The dinner is upscale,” Skye offered. “Those dresses are in the back.”
“And the party?”
“More casual, but I’ll still wear a dress.”
“Aha.” Laylee found what she wanted. “This is going to be perfect.”
* * *
Seated at the restaurant table with many business friends, Skye was a bundle of nerves. She felt certain that everyone would look at her with Ford and somehow know they weren’t a real couple. Worse, she kept waiting for Clyde to show up.
Leaning close to her ear so the others wouldn’t hear, Ford said, “Have I told you how incredible you look?”
The way his breath teased her sent tingles down her spine. Until now, she hadn’t realized that warm breath could be exciting. He’d complimented her a few times already. She assumed, at first, it had been for Laylee’s benefit, and then for the benefit of her boss and coworkers.
This time, whispered so privately, felt just for her. To be sure, she looked into those mesmerizing green eyes and whispered, “Do you mean it?”
“You’re by far the most striking woman I’ve ever known.” With two fingers, he touched a tendril of hair left loose over her ear. The rest she’d twisted up and pinned for a dressier look. “Physically, I’ve never known a woman as perfect as you.”
She started to object, but he wasn’t finished.
“It’s more than that though. You’re stunning, for sure, but when someone meets you, they sense your compassion and caring.
Speak to you for a few minutes, and your intelligence also comes through.
” His mouth hitched in a casual, very sexy smile.
“You’re the whole package, and I’m pretty sure no one is immune. ”
Skye had trouble breathing, much less speaking.
She’d never received praise like that. Not from anyone.
Her parents loved her, but they often drew unfair comparisons to Laylee.
She and her sister were close, but Laylee was so energetic, always flitting around, that she seldom paused long enough to compliment.
Clyde? He’d been all about her looks, and then he’d met her sister and, like most men, he’d been easily diverted.
The differences between the sisters had been obvious to him, and of course, she’d come in second place.
Only after Laylee laughingly turned him down did he circle back to Skye.
Ford was unlike any man she’d ever met, and her heart was quickly getting into trouble. “Thank you.”
“This dress . . . It suits you in a dozen ways. The color, the simplicity.” His gaze dipped over her. “On someone else, it might seem sedate. On you? It’s like you set out to torture me.” Three beats passed before he gave her another smile. “In the nicest possible way.”
Holy smokes, he was good at this. She felt seduced, and they were sitting at a table with several people. Thankfully, the others were involved in their own conversations.