EMILYI felt my phone vibrate in my purse and hastily glanced up at the clock. It was already after five, and I knew Maddy had made reservations for six. My sister was well aware that rush hour traffic in Los Angeles was a pain to deal with, but she also knew that Cleo's was one of the most popular new restaurants in town, and she'd had to reserve a spot when she could get it. Quickly, I gathered my files and stepped into the hall, heading for the front desk.I'd been looking forward to the evening for quite some time. As a nurse, it was difficult for me to find time to get out and enjoy myself. It felt like I was always either just getting off work or having to rush home and get to bed early so I could start an early shift the next morning.It had been a while since I'd seen my sister. Though I'm technically her older sister by three minutes-we are identical twins. Physically identical, anyway. As far as our personalities and professions are concerned, we are as different as night an
Other diners glanced up at me as I walked past, doing their best to act as though I looked down at my drink as I spoke, ignoring the emotion that tightened my throat. Maddy reached over and placed her hand over mine, then gave it a squeeze."Hey now, don't do that. Your life is plenty exciting, and if you don't think that it is, why don't you do something about it?" She gave me a mischievous grin and I smiled as I shook my head. "And what on earth would that be? Decide to take a different way home from work one day? Ooh, that would be really adventurous!" I rolled my eyes as my sarcastic tone showed my sister how unconvinced I was, and she gave me a look."That's not what I meant, and you know it. Just do something that you wouldn't normally do stop thinking so hard about everything, and just do it! That'swhat I do."She lifted her glass to her lips and looked around the restaurant as she spoke, and I couldn't help but notice the different men in the room all glancing our way. I bri
EMILYMy suspicions were soon confirmed as my phone started to ring and Maddy's name flashed across the screen.I picked up my phone, ready to answer it and apologize for the mix-up, but then another thought came to me. I was in her car, going to a party that she had in- tended to go to. She had said it was invite only, so her name would have to be on the guest list. I felt a twinge of guilt in my chest as I put my cell back in my purse, but it wasn't enough to make me ask the driver to turn around. I'm no fun, am I? Well, perhaps it's time that we switch roles, Maddy, and let theother Shadows sister have some fun for a change.I settled into the seat and pulled out my phone again, uncertain of what else to do. I had never been one to make conversation with cab drivers, and also, as I noticed his suit, it was clear this man wasn't working for a run-of-the-mill driv ing company. I didn't know my sister's world, or if I was supposed to engagewith people such as this.There was somethi
The nerves were quickly leaving my stomach, and I was beginning to feel a surge of confidence like I had never felt before in my life. I held my clutch in front of me the same way I saw the other women carrying theirs, and I walked with soft deliberation toward the door.I could feel heads turn as I walked past, but I didn't have the guts to make eyecontact with any of them. Men and women alike took notice of me, and therewas a part of me that wanted to blurt out my mistake and turn around to go home. Once at the door, I was surprised to be stopped by a man standing with arms crossed—a bouncer, I guessed. He wore sunglasses in spite of it being night-time, as well as a headset. He was tall and muscular, with a no-nonsense lookabout him. The bouncer held his hand up, motioning for me to stop, and I flung my hairover my shoulder, doing my best impression of a movie star. I then noticed a second doorman on the other side, dressed completely identi cally to the first man. They both
EMILYIwasn't sure what was going to happen next, nor how to respond. I had to keep reminding myself that I was supposed to be my sister, and that I should do what she would do but in the moment, I wasn't certain what that was. Maddy had always been calm and collected, and I could only imagine that she would be in this situation, as well.But then again, Maddy would know what was going on here.The man led me through a side door and into a narrow hall where we were met by a woman."You're late!" she hissed into my ear as the man transferred me to her."I'm sorry. I was having dinner...with my sister," I explained. The woman gave me a look that made me feel as though I had just said the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard, then she turned and pushed me into what appeared to be a dressing room. I wasn't sure what she wanted me to do, but I didn't have to wait long. Within seconds, two more women had appearedand were stripping me of my cocktail dress.My first instinct was to tell
KYLEIdon't know what came over me when I walked into the club. I'd been there a hundred times before, and this time wasn't any different...or so I thought. The Gathering was nothing new to me I would walk in, look over my options, and make my selection.I knew I had more money than the richest man in the room; I knew all the men wished they were me, and that all the women wished they were with me. Kyle Cunningham was a name that circulated around the club often. The atten- dees knew that I was a no-nonsense kind of man, and when I wanted some thing, I was not afraid to get out there and take it.I sauntered through the room, making eye contact with everyone I passed but not bothering to hold their gazes for long. I had more important matters that needed my attention, and I was going to address those before anything else. Cora, the stage manager, was making her normal announcement, filling thetime before the first of the lots would appear. I was used to this speech; it wasthe same t
EMILY"Please, call me Kyle."The man they'd introduced as Mr. Cunningham sat at the bar next to me, sip- ping on his whiskey and smiling at me as though I were the only girl in the room. Every now and then, he would turn his attention to the other guests, but I never felt like he was focusing on anything but our conversation."But that really is enough about me. I'd love to hear about you; I don't recall see-ing you here—or in any other club around here for that matter," he said, look-ing down at me as he lifted his glass to his lips and took a drink.I immediately felt flustered and began stumbling over my words. I had kept upmy sister's identity throughout the entire evening, but now that I was with aman who not only found me attractive, but didn't recognize me as my sister, I felt I had the opportunity to drop the act and tell him the truth."My name is Emily Shadows. I'm a model." So much for telling him the truth.Kyle looked at me for a moment with raised eyebrows, as thoug
KYLEIkept my palm on the small of Emily's back as we headed for the staircase, fresh drinks in hand. There were a few men and women scattered along the way- some engrossed in conversation, some busy watching the events on the dance floor.As for me, I had come to the conclusion that if you've seen the dance floor once, you've seen it a thousand times, and I felt I wasn't missing out on anything tak- ing her away from itI knew this was her first time at the Gathering, but Emily seemed to be enjoyingherself, in spite of the nerves she must be feeling. I had to hand it to her, shedid manage to fit in with the rest of the guests, though it was evident she hadn't done anything of this sort before. I could feel a slight tremble in each step she took as we mounted the stairs, and I added gentle pressure to my palm on her back. There was no doubt in my mind that she was going to be fun in bed, but Ididn't want her to feel nervous taking this next step in her night. She was sobeautiful,