Page 78 of Just the Wrong Twin

“Blew what?” Sonia was afraid she could guess.

Katia’s boot hit the floor and she shook a finger at Sonia before tugging off the second one. “Not on purpose. He thought he was being helpful. Olivia called him and he told her that you were in New York. He just doesn’t think about ramifications.” She shook her head. “I can’t figure that out. I mean, he writesbooks. Characters make choices and things happen. It’s all cause and effect, but Tobias never connects that to real life. He’s just too fucking nice.” She looked at Nate.

“I know how that goes,” he said and Katia smiled.

Sonia meanwhile had gone cold. “He told her?”

“He did. And they’re coming and we can’t stop them, which means there’s only one thing to do.”

“I hate when you say things like that,” Sonia said. “It never goes right.”

“Well, this time it will.” Katia pointed at Nate. “Don’t let her leave.”

“This has nothing to do with me,” he protested.

“No, but I’m asking for your help. We have to trade places. It’s the only thing that will work.”

Nate lifted a brow, which made him look both skeptical and bemused. “Since it worked so beautifully last time.”

Katia, to her credit, flushed. “A miscalculation. Sorry.”

Nate picked up the tabloid and pointed to the picture of Olivia and Derek on the front. “This would bethem?”

“That would be them,” Katia agreed. “Satan and his handmaiden.”

Sonia saw Nate frown and stand a little straighter, his eyes brightening like lasers.

“Katia!” she chided, as much for giving him a clue as anything else.

“It’s true,” Katia protested, then turned to Nate. “You’re probably going to tell me that you ended up with the wrong twin in February.”

“I did.”

“And you’re with the right twin now?”

Nate shook his head and stepped away from the counter. “I was just leaving.”

“You can’t,” Katia protested.

“Trust me, I can manage it. Three steps to the door and down the stairs. Easy peasy.”

Katia caught his sleeve. “But you have to take Sonia with you. You have to help her make an escape. She has to pretend to be me, and I’ll be her. And you’re the missing link to make it all work.”

“I take exception to being called the missing link,” Nate said, deadpan.

“You know what I mean.”

His smile flashed. “I do.”

“Why are you suggesting this?” Sonia asked Katia, her tone drawing Nate’s gaze.

“Because, because—” Katia made a growl of frustration then cast her hands skyward. “Okay, Februarywasmy fault. I fucked that up and I owe you.” She exhaled, her gaze simmering. “He always liked you best, and it wasn’t fair,” she said, her tone fierce. Sonia was aware that Nate was listening intently. “I never believed you and I should have been there for you. I’ll be there for you this time.”

“But…”

“I might die of boredom, but I will try to make this right. Even if it kills me.” Her gaze bored into Sonia’s, then she marched to the wardrobe and threw it open. “How can you have so many boring clothes?”

“Liked her best in what way?” Nate demanded, his voice low.

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