DIRTY AFFAIR WITH HIS IDENTICAL TWIN
Chapter 7~ Time seemed to slowly crawl by while I was waiting for Friday. When it finally arrived, my nerves kicked into high gear. All week, I had been writing pick me up reminders to myself on sticky notes, they circled my mirror. I took a moment to read through them. Breathe. You are an intelligent woman. Don't chatter non-stop. Smile. Do not worry. You are worthy. You deserve to be happy. They were simple, but reading them helped me calm down. I smiled at the new one that Kim had added in the center of my mirror. Have fun. I took a sip from the glass of chilled white wine that she had delivered to my bathroom before leaving for her shift at Biggie's. Since I still had over an hour before I needed to meet Devin at the restaurant, I decided to take a bubble bath. The wine and bath must have been just what I needed because I was almost calm as I donned my denim mini skirt and the v-neck, light pink tee shirt that Kim had chosen for the occasion. I still couldn't believe that she had loaned me her favorite cowboy boots with the pastel flowers swirling around them, but they looked fantastic, and gave me just the extra boost of confidence that I needed as I got to Biggie's restaurant. Biggie's eatery was one of the only full-service, waterfront restaurants in town, and it was bustling with activity when I arrived. Thankfully, Kim had promised to save us a table. She ran over to greet me as soon as I walked in. "You look fantastic!" she gushed. "He isn't going to be able to keep his hands off you." Her enthusiasm was contagious as she covered my eyes and led me over to the table that she and I normally shared on girls' night. "Ta-da!" she yelled when she removed her hands to reveal how the table had been transformed. Twinkle lights sparkled from above the booth and along the back of the table, a lit candle created a subtle glow, and a bouquet of fresh wildflowers had been placed in a water glass at the center of the table. "Oh, Kim. It's beautiful! You treat me like a princess," I said with watery eyes. "You deserve only the best," she whispered in my ear before sliding up to the bar to grab a tray of drinks for one of her tables. I knew when Devin arrived because the group of ladies sitting across me stopped talking and turned to gaze at him. He walked to my table and grinned at me. "You're even more beautiful than I remembered." I blushed and then chuckled as Kim walked behind him fanning herself with a hand, and silently mouthing the words "hubba hubba." She was right. Devin looked like a Greek god, and I could not believe he was here with me. His dark hair was slightly damp, as if he'd just gotten out of the shower. He was clean-shaven and smelled like Irish Spring. His black tee shirt was just tight enough to show off his flat abs and bulging biceps. And, speaking of bulges, his jeans were snug enough to give a tantalizing hint of his junk. I had to pry my eyes away. As he sat down, he commented, "Wow, it looks like we scored the best seats in the house." I grinned, "I know people." Kim stopped by with a quick, "Hi, I'm Kim. Take good care of my girl or we'll have words." She waggled a warning finger at Devin with a smile, before hustling off to her next table. She had arranged for one of the other waitresses to take care of us. That had surprised me at first, but being her thoughtful self, she had probably figured I would be more comfortable without her stopping by the table periodically all evening. Devin and I split a bottle of white wine from a local vineyard and an appetizer platter full of fried, fabulous, fattening goodies. Then we topped it all off with a brownie sundae. It was a perfect evening filled with interesting conversation, laughter, and great food. Devin surprised me by turning towards the bar and asking, "How long do you think it will be before your friend and the bartender hook up?" I gave him a sideways look. "Kim? And Biggie? He's her boss," I responded, shaking my head. "Well, they've been giving each other googly eyes all night," he countered. I sat back in my seat, thinking it over for a minute. Could he be right? Kim loved sex and men, but she had never shown an interest in keeping one around for more than a couple of dates. As I contemplated it, I realized that she did act different around Biggie, whose real name is Brad. I had always chalked it up to him being her employer. I watched Brad working the bar with his customary laid back ease. He was kind of cute, with his slightly scruffy, dirty-blonde hair. His style tended towards tee shirts and flip-flops, while Kim was a glamour girl. "Hmm," I said aloud as I tilted my head, pondering him. Devin coughed. "Please don't gaze at another guy while you are out with me. You're going to give me an inferiority complex." He smiled after he said it to let me know he was teasing. "Well, then you better work to keep my attention," I retorted quickly, openly flirting with him. "Let's get out of here then, and find someplace where I can have you all to myself. How about a walk along the water?" he asked. "I'd love to," I responded, deciding to give more thought to the Kim and Brad idea. As Devin paid Brad at the bar, Kim slid behind me and whispered in my ear. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do." I chuckled as I turned to her and asked, "What haven't you done, kim?" I asked rolling my eyes. "There isn't much that would be off-limits with that fine hunk of man," she mumbled under her breath as I turned to leave with Devin. "Have fun!" She yelled the words to both of us, as Devin placed his hand gently on my back and guided me out of the restaurant.DIRTY AFFAIR WITH HIS IDENTICAL TWIN Chapter 177~As the weeks went by, It was Hailey and Biggie's wedding. The room glowed with what seemed like a million glittering twinkle lights. The floating candles at each table illuminated the gorgeous fresh-cut flower centerpieces. The room smelled like a tantalizing mixture of just baked cinnamon rolls and a delightful floral scent that somehow didn't conflict with each other.Hailey made a simply gorgeous bride. Her long, dark hair and enormous green eyes made the silky pink dress she had chosen for the occasion pop. I had never seen anyone look as exuberant as she did, with the exception of Biggie. He was positively beaming from ear to ear as if he couldn't believe his good fortune.The entire affair looked like a dream come true. More than ever, I couldn't wait to promise to live the rest of my days with Devin on a pristine beach somewhere. The only potential problem with my plan was footwear. I do love shoes, and a wedding in the sand is
DIRTY AFFAIR WITH HIS IDENTICAL TWIN Chapter 176~The days and weeks started going by in a flurry. Bernice was able to talk Hailey into having a 'real' reception, but Hailey held firm on the small wedding. Devin and I had decided to let Hailey and Biggie have the entire spotlight during this special time in their lives. We would start planning our destination wedding once the festivities and aftermath from Hailey's big day wore down.I was so happy, happier than I could have ever imagined possible. Devin and I had finally settled on the plans for our dream home with enormous closets, after lots of bickering and rowdy making-up over which way doors should swing, where walls should be, and the size of the windows. Devin almost always let me have my way, but he seemed to enjoy the cycle of arguing about little things, then having big-time make-up sex. I had to admit, it was rather fun.He had started construction on the frame of our home, and for the first time, I could visualize myself
DIRTY AFFAIR WITH HIS IDENTICAL TWIN Chapter 175~The Booker's had a family meeting, and I was invited. Even though the topic wasn't a happy one, it felt marvelous to belong to something so much bigger than myself. I had been a loner for a long time, other than having my pets and Kylie around.This family was complicated and they bickered and they loved each other unconditionally. It felt beyond amazing to be a part of that.Bernice and Christian stood up in front of their children and their children's partners and announced that they would be getting a divorce. We were all stunned.I had assumed that they would be able to work things out. It's probably an inaccurate stereotype, but I had assumed that women from Bernice's generation were of the 'stand by your man' mentality.Even though he had cheated and that was despicable and wrong, I had assumed that they would find a way to work through it and save their marriage. The baby that Zoey was carrying certainly complicated matters, bu
DIRTY AFFAIR WITH HIS IDENTICAL TWIN Chapter 174~As if a light bulb suddenly went off in her head, she snapped her fingers. "Hey, you guys can have the big fancy wedding and completely take the pressure off of me and Biggie.""Oh no," Devin countered. "That is not in the cards. Is it, Sweetheart?" he asked me sweetly, giving me a peck on the cheek."Nope, I think Hailey needs the big wedding. We might be better off eloping." I voiced the idea that had been floating around my head.Devin lit up at the idea. "Yeah, or a destination wedding. We can go to Dubai or someplace so far away that only the people who truly love us are willing to travel there for the wedding.""Mmm," I nodded my agreement with his suggestion and added one of my own. "Or Peru to stay in one of those bungalow huts out over the ocean.""Ohh, I want to do that too," Hailey jumped in."Hey, this is our wedding plan. You're stuck dealing with Mom and being the perfect daughter-bride for her," Devin told her firmly."
DIRTY AFFAIR WITH HIS IDENTICAL TWIN Chapter 173~Devin joined the hippopotamus game on the floor, and it wasn't long before the nanny returned from the adjoining bedroom. She was beyond grateful for my help and seemed concerned about losing her job. I would have been too, if I were in her shoes. Bernice would not take it kindly with anyone finding out that one of her employees had disappeared during a shift especially not her grandchildren's nanny.I reassured the woman that her secret was safe with me and that I had actually ended up enjoying my time with the children.When she looked warily at Devin, he confirmed that he wouldn't tattle to his mother either. "It's our little secret." He punctuated his sweet statement by looking up at her with a wink and one of his killer grins.The woman actually tittered in response to his attention. I would have rolled my eyes, but I couldn't blame her...the man is charm personified.I carefully passed the sleeping baby off to the appreciative w
DIRTY AFFAIR WITH HIS IDENTICAL TWIN Chapter 172~Once I was done eating, I excused myself from the table, unable to stand the awkward, almost resentful silence any longer. Kylie gave me a miserable look as I passed by as if she wanted me to save her too, but I didn't see a way to make that happen. Going to the bathroom in pairs wouldn't exactly be appropriate. I'm sure she wished that she had thought of the excuse and bailed before I did.Leaving her to fend for herself, I made my escape. Rather than go to the bathroom that was just down the hall, I opted to head to one upstairs in order to drag out my absence as long as possible. It wasn't that I hated Zoey, like the three Booker siblings all seemed to. Even though they made a feeble attempt to hide their disdain to comply with their mother's request for kindness, their contempt sizzled with heat just under the surfaceIn fact, I almost felt sorry for her. Christian had apparently shoved her aside and was attempting to woo his wife