Page 47 of Someone Just Like You

My mouth fell open. “Are you for real? Did you seriously confuse a total stranger for your daughter?”

Michelle hooked her arm through Dad’s and leaned against him. “I did the same thing.”

I groaned. “Methinks you both drank some funky Kool-Aid.”

Even though my initial plan at the party, before our unspoken truce, had been to stay as far away from Jude as possible, I found myself sharing a table with him and Charley at some point. With guests moving around between courses and mingling, it was unavoidable. Timothy was also exceedingly interested in the kitchen management at Hillstone, except that, even while directing his questions to Jude, his eyes were on Charley.

“Everyone raves about the sushi,” Timothy said, staring at her. “But I can’t get enough of the ribs.”

Eddie and his wife, a gorgeous catalogue model who was a dead ringer for Zoë Kravitz, joined us. “What do you think?”

Sienna shook her head in wonder. “You’re right. I stand corrected. You were not exaggerating.”

Jude scowled at his brother and sister-in-law over the rim of his whisky tumbler. “You must have been at math club the day Mom and Dad lectured us on the rudeness of having cryptic conversations in front of others.”

Eddie laughed before downing the rest of his drink. “Enjoy your bizarro world.” He kissed his wife on the cheek. “C’mon, babe. Let’s make out in the coat closet.”

“Your brother is weird,” I said to Jude.Please don’t bring up my former crush.

“No argument there, Mole.”

To Charley, he said, “My brother is usually cooler than…” He let his voice drop off. Charley was deep in conversation with Timothy about the magic of ground chipotle pepper. “I prefer nutmeg, actually,” Jude told me, straight-faced.

“Cinnamon.” I sipped my wine and pretended this wasn’t awkward. Just making small talk with Jude about condiments while our respective dates hit it off. Nope. Not awkward at all.

Later, in the bathroom, I was reapplying my lipstick when I locked eyes with Mrs. Stark’s reflection in the mirror. I smiled. “Having fun?” It was our first opportunity to interact aside from a quick “Happy anniversary” hug when they’d arrived at the party.

“It’s one of the most special nights of my life. Thank you for your part in planning it.”

“It was my pleasure!”Mostly.

Laura brushed her shoulder-length auburn hair. “None of us can get over how much your date resembles Jude. Only not as handsome.” She waved her hand. “See you out there.”

I forced a smile and waved back even while my dinner sat uncomfortably in the pit of my stomach.

I left the bathroom but froze at the entrance to the party room to observe Jude, Charley, and Timothy talking in a small circle about twenty feet away. Nani wasn’t imagining it. Hell, even Jude’s own mother saw it. Three months earlier, seeing Jude within an inch of the guy I was dating would have left me paranoid…and certain…that my most embarrassing moments were about to be leaked. It would have been uncomfortable for sure. Butthis…the realization that the guy I was dating bore anuncannyresemblance to the boy I’d hated since before I learned long division…well, uncomfortable didn’t even begin to describe it.

I stole a closer look at Charley. First Esther had confused us at Hillstone, then Michelle tonight…even my own father couldn’t tell the difference. I didn’t think the resemblance wasthatstrong, but I was done denying the affinity. We looked alike. With a little Photoshop and creative filters, she could play me in a movie. She could lock me in a basement and, with some hypnotism of my family members, probably eat my plate of turkey and stuffing at Thanksgiving with nary a blue eye blinking.

I broke out in a cold sweat.

Nicole approached. “You don’t look so good, little sis. What’s wrong?”

“Bathroom. Now.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Michelle sat on the bronze-colored loveseat in the bathroom. Nicole had texted her to join us here immediately. “Did you honestly never notice before?”

I hovered over the sink where I’d just splashed cold water on my face. I hadn’t puked yet, but the night was still young. “No. I swear.” It was the truth. I’d been seriously oblivious. Or had I been in denial? Esther had pointed out the resemblance from the very beginning. But Jude was my enemy. Or at least he had been when I first met Timothy. Why would I want to date someone who looked like my enemy?

“Timothy isn’t the first either.”

A shiver ran through me. I turned to face Nicole, who was standing next to me in front of the mirror. “The firstwhat?”

My middle sister glanced between me and Michelle while chewing on her peach lipstick. “Have you ever even dated a guy with blond hair?”

I harrumphed. “It’s called a type. I like dark-haired men—”

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