"That's what I said. But I didn't think you'd think it's a lot."

"For going with me to an art gallery?"

He shrugged. "Someone's got to keep you safe. You are famous, after all."

"I am not famous," she said.

"Do you have no desire to be in the spotlight with your sister? You guys could have a duo act. You both have the face for it… obviously, you both have the same face."

She let out a little laugh at the thought. "I am not a performer. I have no desire, believe me. Summer, she's been doing it since we were five years old. It's always been the Summer show. We used to travel around to these state fairs and rodeos when we were kids. She was singing country music back then. She wore these big poufy pageant dresses and sang covers." AJ pictured it, and they shared a good laugh. "Anyway, I get to be along for the ride, and I never have to worry about any basic necessities. I have a credit card for food and drinks, and I get surrounded by luxury all the time. It's a great life. I feel like the least I can do is stick by her and help her out."

They paused for a minute and then AJ said, "You said you felt like her shadow a minute ago. Is that a bad thing? I feel like that's a statement we should revisit."

"Is that your nice way of asking if I feel bad for not really having my own identity?"

"No. Not at all. Is that what you think it means?"

"No, because I do have an identity," she said. "I just thought you thought I didn't."

"How could I? I've only just met you. I just asked about you saying you're her shadow."

They sat at the traffic light. There were ten minutes left on the trip to the art gallery. "Number two is a fine place. Summer's a rockstar, and I'm fine with my life the way it is. Even our names… "

"What do you mean, your names?"

"No, it's just… even our names were a funny story. I'm just saying… it started at birth that I play a supporting role in this twinship."

"How so?"

"My mom came up with this beautiful name for the baby if it was a girl—Summer Jolie. But my dad was upset and wanted to do family names. He liked using names from their grandmothers—Alice and Irene. When they found out we were twins, they decided to meet in the middle and call us Summer Irene and Jolie Alice—have the grandmother names for the middle names."

"Let me guess… you got both of the grannie names."

Allie glanced at AJ when he said that. "Yes. How'd you know that?"

"I just figured it out by the tone of the story. So, what's your name? Alice Iris?"

"Irene."

"Alice Irene?"

"Yes," she said.

"And you go by Allie?"

"Yes."

"Is Allie even short for Alice?"

"No, not for most people. But I liked the name Allie. I changed it when I was a little kid, otherwise, I don't think it would have worked. I think I was in first or second grade when I asked everyone to start calling me Allie. We were home-schooling by then, so my mom just started introducing me as Allie, and it stuck." She let out a little self-depreciating sigh. "I'm sure you didn't want to hear the whole long story."

"Actually, I did," he said. "I think my ultimate goal today is to protect you, but seeing as how you're not in any danger at the moment, I think we can relax and hang out."

"I'm a fan of this guy," she said. "This artist we're going to see right now. I have two of his pieces back home. I've been to his exhibit three times, and I've never met him."

"Are you going to meet him today?"

"I should. He'll definitely be there."