Page 5 of Just the Wrong Twin

Her boss, Cassie, was striding into the club foyer from the lobby for the private elevators for the residential units over the club. She lived in the penthouse with her husband and partner, Reid, and their young son, Marty, and was the partner who managed the marketing for the club. Cassie’s blond hair was in an elegant twist and her navy suit clung to her curves. She’d obviously not been slacking during lockdown, but had been working out as hard as Sonia. Reid strolled behind her with their son, who had been born in December. A former quarterback, Reid limped a little thanks to knee surgeries, and he kept his hair a little longer than the other partners. Sonia always thought he had the look of a rebel even when he wore an elegant suit, as he did today.

“Sonia! You look so gorgeous!” Cassie said, and they air-kissed at a distance.

“She always looks great,” Reid murmured, chastising his wife a bit, then smiled at Sonia.

“I mean even better than usual.” Cassie never missed a thing. Her gaze lingered on Sonia’s shoes and she smiled. “It’s good to see you enjoying how beautiful you are,” she said softly. “It’s past due, in my opinion, but you know that. Anytime you want to start a podcast, remember to let me know. I think you’d be a natural star.”

The club had been creating digital content since the pandemic had forced them to close the club, in the hope that members would keep in shape at home. They provided support for the instructors who had worked at the club, helping them build their online brands, and Sonia had helped with the marketing. It was a great way to keep everyone working at some level and generating some revenue when the club couldn’t open its doors. Cassie had asked Sonia several times to take the yoga class she’d taught at the club to a podcast, but Sonia had declined.

“I’m still thinking about it,” she demurred, that old fear flashing once again. She was hoping to silence it forever soon.

“I hope to change your mind.”

“She means she hoped to convince you, one way or the other,” Reid teased.

“Cassie’s very persuasive,” Sonia said and Reid smiled at his wife, his eyes glowing.

“That she is,” he murmured.

Cassie looked up at him and the heat between them was enough to power a small town. Sonia watched, yearning to have a similar relationship in her life. All of the partners had these wonderful electric relationships and it was only natural to want the same. “I’m glad I caught your bouquet,” she said. “It’s got to be good luck when you two are so much in love.”

“I think so,” Cassie said with an encouraging smile. “You’ll find the guy who’s right for you, Sonia,” she said, flicking a glance at Reid. “Maybe in the most unlikely of places.”

“When you’re not even looking,” Reid agreed, the two of them lost in each other’s eyes again.

“That’s where mine was,” Cassie murmured.

“Sometimes you kiss a toad and it works out just fine,” Reid replied, his gaze unswerving.

“Sometimes he even lets you drive his car first,” Cassie replied and they stared into each other’s eyes, oblivious to everyone else.

Sonia stepped away with a smile, feeling that three had become a crowd.

Maybe Marty would have a sibling soon.

Pierce was standing by the reception desk, where Sonia had first worked at the club. He was wearing a tux with a red tie, and looked more nervous than was typical of him. Didn’t it figure that Jacquie would be the only one who could rattle the silver fox of the club? They were so perfect together and Sonia couldn’t help but think of Jacquie’s advice to her, that she’d never find a guy unless she stepped out of her comfort zone.

Sonia was on that.

Pierce introduced her to two friends who were standing up with him, a man and a woman. The guy was tall and of an age with Pierce. He nodded when introduced as Simon but didn’t say much. He seemed to be the quiet type, but his gaze was always moving and Sonia was sure he didn’t miss a single detail.

“And this is Lisa MacAvoy, otherwise known as Mack.”

She had a brilliant smile. “Hi! Great to meet you!”

“Old friends?” Sonia asked.

Mack nodded and nudged Pierce. “Wouldn’t miss this day for the world. We used to take bets on him, that he’d never even have a second date with anyone. Pierce getting married blows everything out of the water.”

Pierce gave her a look. “When it’s right, it’s right,” he said.

Simon nodded agreement. “Exactly.”

“Smile, even though no one will see it,” Mack said, referring to their masks as she lifted her camera. “I’m the official photographer for the day.”

Sonia complied and Mack took a few pictures of her, then left to photograph the other guests.

Jax’s sons introduced themselves with waves and smiles. Sonia knew their names but hadn’t met them before. Cole was the baby of the family and at med school in Chicago. Brandon was the older son, a former bartender who was going back to college. His partner, Elizabeth, was pregnant with what would be Jax’s first grandchild.

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