Page 112 of Just the Wrong Twin

“That’s not it,” she protested. “I love you. I want to be with you. Whatever happened between you and Trish, it has to be over because she’s not in your life. You have to move forward…”

“You can’t fix me,” Nate interrupted with heat. “Don’t even try.”

“I don’t want tofixyou,” she argued. “I love you just the way you are. I love how resilient and positive you are, how strong you are.” She shook her head, wishing she could make him understand. “I admire how you’ve made your life what you want it to be.” Her throat tightened. “I want to be with you forever, Nate.”

He was quiet for a long moment. “Only until the handsome prince shows up and sweeps you away,” he said, and she heard his bitterness. “I told you before, Sonia, no sympathy sex. I won’t be a placeholder until the real star appears.”

“That’s not what’s happening here,” she insisted.

“I think it is,” he concluded. “I’ll see you Saturday, Sonia, but that’ll be the last time.”

And he ended the call without saying goodbye. Sonia blinked back her tears and glared around her apartment. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. This wasn’t what was supposed to happen.

But it had been Nate who had warned her that a person could be in love alone.

Sonia just hadn’t believed it.

She made a cup of tea, pacing the floor while the kettle boiled, then figured she had nothing to lose by calling Diane—and maybe something to gain.

It turned out that she was right.

* * *

Nate finishedhis quarantine a day early, with Pierce’s permission. Mack moved his appointments from Saturday to Friday and after a crazy day, he was certified and ready to go. He dropped Sheba off at Mack’s for the weekend, promised her he’d be back soon, and headed to Manhattan with Troll.

No one needed to know how much Sonia’s confession had torn him up, or how much he was looking forward to seeing her. He wore his sunglasses and would keep them on the whole time. In just a few hours, she’d be part of his past.

He’d miss her forever, but consoled himself with the knowledge that he’d helped her prepare for her happy ending—with somebody.

Simon drove a big black SUV that felt like an armored tank to Nate. It had no markings and tinted windows, but Nate had learned it was one of the vehicles owned by Silver Fox Security. His companion didn’t talk a lot on the drive to Manhattan, which was fine by Nate. Traffic was light and they pulled up in front of Sonia’s brownstone a few minutes early. Troll parked at the curb and got out, looking formidable in black with his sunglasses on.

Nate went and buzzed her apartment.

“We’re early,” he said when she answered. He kept his tone cool and impersonal, knowing she’d noticed.

“I’ll be right down,” Sonia replied as if she’d been slapped. Even with the tension between them, Nate liked this assignment a lot—defending Sonia worked for him in a big way. He just had to be sure he didn’t get in her step-father’s face. It wasn’t his fight, even though he was ready for it. He wanted to see her get even with the bastard, and was glad of the chance to witness this exchange first-hand.

The door opened and Sonia stepped out, her gaze sweeping over Nate before she put on her own sunglasses. He did a double-take. She was wearing Katia’s leather pants and leopard shirt, along with the caramel heels she’d worn to the wedding. She was wearing red lipstick and a lot more make-up than usual, black eyeliner and those eyelashes. Her hair was loose and she had a black purse and a pair of sunglasses. She looked both flashy and elegant.

She could have been Katia, but not quite. He still knew it was her.

“Are you sure which twin you’re with?” she asked and Nate nodded.

“Absolutely, Sonia. You can’t fool me.”

“I know. It’s one of the things I love about you.”

Nate ignored that though his heart took an unruly leap. “Nervous?” he asked. Her body language told him that she was tense and he couldn’t resist the urge to offer reassurance.

“A bit,” she admitted. “But we have a plan.”

“We being you and Katia?” he asked, not liking the sound of that much.

“Exactly. But don’t worry. I can trust her on this.” Nate opened the door to the car and she slid in before giving him a look.

He thought he could feel the intensity of her glance even behind her sunglasses, and her lips were set in a grim line. “Tell me what you want me to do.” There he was stepping up again, the Sonia Effect still at full power. He just couldn’t help himself.

“Just you two being here is enough,” she said, squaring her shoulders. “Let’s go.”

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