The Unknown Twin

Would Alex have believed her?

Ah, back to the sexy captain, who right now was laughing so hard with the kids he was holding his stomach. It made her own stomach do a funny little two-step.

“GOODBYE, CAPTAIN SHIELDS.” Interesting how a group like this could speak in unison.

“Bye, guys. I hope I see you next year.”

Hannah came up to him. “Thanks, Alex. I’m going to take the kids to an assembly now.” She looked to Lauren, who sat facing the back of the room. “Lauren, I’ll see you in a bit.”

Lauren glanced over her shoulder. “Okay, Hannah. Goodbye, Alex.” She returned to her task.

After Hannah left, Alex stared at Lauren. Drawn to her like fire to air, he ambled back, not exactly sure what he was going to say. Over her shoulder, he saw she’d cut out stars and was sketching faces on them. The faces were those of the kids who’d just left.

“Those are beautiful.”

She jumped. “Oh.”

He put his hand on her shoulder. Her hair gleamed in the overhead lights. He could smell the lemony scent of her shampoo. “Sorry.”

She pivoted in the chair, dislodging his hand. “No, that’s okay, I’m just spooked today.” She smiled up at him. Mauve smudges shadowed her eyes. “Sounds like you had a good time there.”

“I love working with kids.”

“They obviously love you. I’m sorry if you thought I was critical before.”

“No, it’s okay. A lot of people are afraid to talk to kids candidly.”

“Yes, I know. I always felt that protesters of sex education in schools were nuts.”

Sex, huh? “Me, too.” He studied the lines on her face. “What did you mean you were spooked today?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Tell me.”

She stood then, so she was more on eye level with him. “Last night when I got home, I thought somebody had been in my house.”

“What?”

“No, let me clarify that. I know somebody had been there.” She told him about the clues. “The policeman thought I was crazy. He said there were no signs of anyone breaking in.” She shrugged. “He finally suggested the landlord had come in without telling me.”

“Did you ask the landlord?”

“No, he wasn’t answering his phone last night or today.”

“Does anybody else have a key?” Alex asked.

“Hannah. She told me she wasn’t at my house last night.”

Arching his brows, he couldn’t help flirting with her. “No guy has a key?”

Her brown eyes twinkled. “No, no guy.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What, that there’s no man or about the break-in?”

“Definitely about the break-in.”

She shook her head, then turned, as if uncomfortable with the exchange. “Well, I’ve got to get back to this.” She nodded to the artwork. “I wanted to finish before the kids return from the assembly.”

Her dismissal stung. “Sure.” He straightened. “Take care.”

Feeling like a second-grader himself, he headed out to his car. This was dumb. The lady was definitely not interested. He tried to shrug off his pique as he strode to his Blazer and slid inside. He was tired, so he’d go home, sack out, then find something interesting to do tonight. For a minute, he stared at the school. Lauren was an enigma. And it looked as if she was going to stay that way.

He caught sight of the morning’s paper that he’d tossed on the front seat. Hell. He picked it up and leafed through the pages. Sure enough, another Dee and Me.

Frame One:

The muscle-bound boy, still holding on to her arms, smiles at Lily. You okay?

Lily is being shy. Oh, sure.

Frame Two:

They’re off the dock now. Lily peers up at the boy. Bubbles indicate her thoughts: Jeez, he’s so big. So handsome. Eyes the color of amber.

Amber? Alex’s eyes were light brown. That was amber, wasn’t it? He read on.

The boy has a goofy expression on his face. Wanna go get a soda with me? he asks.

Frame Three:

Um, no thanks.

Oh, okay. Looking dejected, the boy walks away.

Frame Four:

Lily appears despondent.

Deirdre is on the scene. You wanted to go out with him. Why didn’t you?

He makes me uncomfortable.

Frame Five:

Deirdre shakes her head in disgust. Boys are supposed to do that to girls. It’s their job.