Page 42 of Just the Wrong Twin

“Just like old times,” Tobias said, gesturing to the three of them with his champagne glass.

Nick laughed. “Except fat Thalia isn’t hiding in a corner, eavesdropping.”

Sonia’s heart sank at the sound of her old name.

“How pathetic was she? And how could she not know it?” He took a drink of his beer, oblivious to Sonia’s reaction. “She followed me like a puppy needing to be kicked.” He laughed. “Or like a pet pig. I was seriously tempted to give her what she wanted, but—” He shuddered. “I couldn’t bring myself to touch her.” His eyes gleamed. “That’s why I made a bet with my buddy on prom night. You remember Jackson?”

Tobias nodded agreement.

Sonia’s heart sank to her toes. Not Jackson.

“I bet him a hundred bucks that he couldn’t do her. ‘Roll her in flour and aim for the wet spot’ he said and we laughed. So he asked her to prom and I had to pay up.”

Nick had made a bet with Jackson.

He saluted Sonia with his beer as she fought against her reaction. “Whatever happened to your sister, anyway? Is she fatter than ever, hiding in a basement somewhere with her stash of ice cream?” He made an expression of disgust.

“I don’t know,” Sonia managed to say.

“I thought you were in touch with her,” Tobias said, but she shook her head, adamant.

“Not any more.” Sonia turned away. She’d admired Nick for so long, but purely based on his looks. She’d barely talked to him, and had no idea he was so mean.

He had been behind that time with Jackson.

The truth was like a stab to the heart: the destruction of her long-held fantasy was so abrupt that it made her catch her breath.

All she wanted to do was escape.

She crossed the room quickly, not caring who she pushed past to get to the door.

Tobias followed her. “Are you okay? You look sick.”

“I am sick. I’m going to be sick.”

“But why did you lie? I know you’re in touch with Thalia…”

“Forget it, Tobias,” Sonia said, turning on him rare heat. “Just forget it. I have to go.”

“Go where?” he called after her, obviously mystified, but Sonia didn’t stop to explain.

By the time she got a cab and was headed downtown, her anger was rising. Katia had known that Nick wasn’t interested in her. Nick had set her up years ago, and Katia had set her up for Valentine’s Day.

She never wanted to talk to any of them again.

Sonia woke up,her heart skipping. She’d left the fairy lights on and they were twinkling like starlight. She was nestled against Nate’s heat, his arm around her waist, but she still felt all wrong.

That dream.

And Nick.

All those years ago, she’d only ogled him and not listened to what he said. He probably hadn’t changed a bit. She’d just taken one look and seen happily-ever-after. But Nick’s beauty was only skin deep.

She should have been smart enough to see that.

Sonia moved away from Nate slowly, sitting on the side of the bed and looking down at him. He slept in the nude, which she liked a lot, on his back, a sure sign of confidence. His hand was stretched into the space she’d abandoned, as if even in sleep, he missed her presence beside him. She was impressed all over again by how ripped he was but more impressed by the strength of his character. He didn’t back down from obstacles and he didn’t hide. He was making changes to transform his life into the one he wanted.

Sweet and hot.

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