Page 32 of The Naughty One
Baby, where are you? I swear it wasn’t how it looked—but of course I would say that. Please believe me, her being here was nothing to do with us. Please just let me know you’re safe. I loveyou.
Romy sighed, all her angerdissipated.
We’ll talk tomorrow, Blue. That’s all I can promise right now. I’m at Arti’s for the night. I’msafe.
Of course. Just know I loveyou.
I love you too.Tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
Romy climbed up the stairs wearily, and slipped into Arti’s guest bedroom. She stripped down to her underwear and into bed—only to encounter bare flesh. She shrieked, as did the other person in the bed, and Romy skittered across the room to switch the lighton.
A young woman with dark hair and huge brown eyes was staring at her, her hand clamped over hermouth.
“Who are you?” Romy asked, breathless, but the girl didn’t have time to answer before Artemis burst into the room, followed by a giant of a man who looked familiar. Romy gaped at him. “Dan? DanHelmond?”
The man grinned widely, a strange counterpoint to the three women all in shock. “Romy Sasse, as I live and breathe. I take it you’ve met my daughter and your mini-me, Octavia. Tavia, meet Romy Sasse, Artemis’ssister.”
Romy and her younger double stared at each other for a long moment before Romy, not knowing what else to do, burst outlaughing.
Chapter14
Romy shrugged,recounting the story to her sister. “So I just walked out. Wouldn’tyou?”
Artemis, sitting opposite her sister at the breakfast bar, chewed on her toast thoughtfully. “Maybe. No, probably not. You know me, I would have demanded a full and detailedexplanation.”
“With color-coding.”
Artemis grinned as Dan and Octavia laughed. “And, you, sis, are the firebrand, so I guess I can’t blame you for walkingaway.”
Romy sighed. “I told Blue I’d meet him this morning in the city. Don’t suppose you could give me aride?”
“I can.” Octavia said, spooning the last of her cereal into her mouth, “I have to go to the library, it’s noproblem.”
Romy grinned at her. “Thanks, dude. I still can’t get over how alike we look. Daniel, are you sure you didn’t fool around with my mom when we were back in highschool?”
The women laughed as Dan held up his hands. “All I’m saying is Magda is a beautifulwoman.”
“Dad! God, you’re so embarrassing.” Octavia hid her face in her hands as her fathersmirked.
Romy snorted with laughter and poked Octavia. “Come on then, twinsie, let’s getgoing.”
On the driveinto the city, Romy and Octavia chatted easily, then Octavia smiled ather.
“Artemis told me you are actually a twin. I’m sorry about yourbrother.”
Romy felt a lump in her throat. “Thanks … I miss him still, even though it’s been over twentyyears.”
“What happened? If you don’t mind tellingme.”
Romy cleared her throat. “Not at all.” Her voice quivered a little but she ignored it. “It was so quick, such a normal moment in a normal day. He fell over in the school yard. He was playing with some friends and tripped and hit his head. For a few hours he was okay, and then the next morning, Mom found him dead in bed from ahemorrhage.”
Even now, Romy remembered the agony of seeing her twin, the person closest to her, blue- lipped andlifeless.
Octavia had tears in her eyes. “I’m so sorry,Romy.”
“You know what it’s like to lose someone, Tavia. It never gets easier; you just get used to thepain.”
