Page 58 of The Prince's Game
He turned on his screen so I could see what the cameras were shooting outside. There were five of them on Evan’s limo, where he and his parents sat inside waiting. Abby stood in the front foyer with my mom and Bob, awaiting their cue to exit. My mother’s frown and ultimatum told me how she felt about all of this nonsense.
The train wreck started with Evan getting out of the limo and holding the door open for his parents. He held a hand out for his mother, and she used it to exit, her gaze flitting around the neighborhood and house as if she hadn’t been staring at it for the last thirty minutes. Ellen’s blonde hair was styled, her makeup was perfect, and her skirt suit was professional. Jonah’s suit rivaled Evan’s, except he wore a black tie with a white shirt.
They stood awkwardly beside the car, waiting for my family to exit. Abby went first, smoothing her hands over the skirt of her dress and giving the cameras a shy smile before moving toward Evan. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he held an arm out to hug her. She moved right in and kissed him on the jaw, nuzzling him like a cat. I threw up a little in my mouth.
“Hey, sweetheart.” His voice was affectionate, but there was something not quite right in his chocolate gaze. It was missing that wicked note I loved. No doubt a result of spending too much time with his parents outside. They frequently put him in a pissy mood.
“Hi, Evan.” God, Abby was laying it on thick, batting her lashes the way she always did around handsome men. “May I introduce my mom, Estrella, and her boyfriend, Bob.”
“Nice to meet you.” He shook their hands while Abby stayed glued to his side, and introduced his parents. Ellen gave a small smile, while Jonah looked my mother over with blatant interest. She was wearing a dark blue, spaghetti strap dress that flirted with her knees and displayed all her curves. The man had no shame. His behavior was caught on film, but his smile said he didn’t have a care in the world.
Knowing what I did about the elder Mershano, it was a wonder Evan turned out the way he did. His parents’ neglect throughout his childhood turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
“And you,” Evan murmured after all the introductions were finished, “must be Abby.”
28
Sister Bonding
“Abby?” Ellen repeated while Jonah chuckled.
“Son, her name is Sarah.”
“No, Sarah doesn’t giggle.” Evan removed my sister from his arm with a wink. “But I’m betting her identical twin sister, Abby, does.”
“Well, color me impressed.” Abby’s smile was the one she used when she truly enjoyed something. My mom looked Evan over with keen approval. Neither of them had expected him to catch on at all, let alone so quickly.
My heart took off at a dangerous pace as heat swam up my neck and caressed my cheeks. He knew the difference. My stomach turned over, making me light-headed. Too many years of watching people, including my own mother, fail at this game had programmed me to doubt him. I should have known better. Of course he knew the difference. That was the foundation of who we were; he trusted me when I told him it was Abby who auditioned on my behalf.
“Uh, they’re asking you to come outside.” Bill’s hand hovered beside me as if debating whether or not it was safe to touch me. My glare earlier scared the poor kid. The screen showed everyone looking expectantly at the house.
“Oh, right, thanks.” I stood on shaky legs and made my way to the foyer. In a move that was just like Abby, I ran my clammy palms over my dress skirt and opened the door. Evan’s gaze hit me like a ton of bricks. Triumph mingled with a touch of wickedness in their dark depths, stealing my breath. He didn’t wait for me to walk to him; he met me on the porch and engulfed me in a hug that had nothing on the way he embraced Abby.
“You knew right away that it wasn’t me.” He had hugged my sister with one arm. He never hugged me with one arm.
His lips brushed my ear. “The smile wasn’t right.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Knowing the difference.” He would never know how much that meant to me. It was a rare gift. Abby and I were nothing alike, and yet too many people had trouble telling us apart. Our voice was the same, we were identical, and some said our mannerisms rivaled each other. I didn’t agree on that last bit, but it’s what we were told.
He kissed me on the mouth, not caring that everyone else could see, and smiled. “You’re my Sarah. I’ll always know the difference.” Warmth touched my every nerve despite the cold air. “Shall we go inside? I hear your mom’s been cooking up a storm.”
His devilish gaze told me he knew full well caterers were the chefs inside, but the show wanted it to look like my mom cooked. It was a shame they didn’t let her manage the kitchen. My mom could make a mean carbonada.
“Sure.” I led him inside, followed by our families.
“This is where you grew up, right?” Evan had his arm around my shoulders and his lips were at my ear.
“Yep.”
“I want to see your bedroom.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Abby was taking in every detail, her gaze astute.
Is it hot, or is that just me?I cleared my throat. “Nothing.”
