Shorter chapter by only a few hundred words.. but posting it today...

Shout out to marsupial1974 - thank you babes..

Mistakes are mine.. Skins.. not so much..

Enjoy...


Chapter 10

Katie had marched over without a plan. Something in her become utterly territorial at what she'd witnessed. She didn't even know he would be in attendance. Not that she'd mentioned attending the exhibit herself. But she'd never known him to be interested in art. Again, not that she had asked. But he had shared other interests like science fiction. He had no reason to share his weekend plans. They weren't dating. They were fucking. This all made sense in her head. But she was going on instinct and her thoughts, logical or otherwise, were muted.

"Katie." A huge smile spread over his lips as he turned around when she touched him. The smile mostly faded when the remaining champagne was thrown in his face. He blinked and wiped most of it away as his companions looked surprised.

"Hope you fucking enjoy your date."

"My..." Tobias stood there gawking at her. His eyes caught movement from behind her as the woman returned.

"Ooops.. guess I missed some excitement." The woman whom Katie had seen kissing Tobias's cheek was back. She was wearing a dark pantsuit and heels. Her brown hair was loose and framed her face beautifully. Another turn of Katie's stomach and she wished she had another flute of champagne to aim at her instead. "You must be Katie. I'm Laura." After handing Tobias a glass with amber liquid, she extended her hand as the twin looked surprised at hearing her name. A look between the woman and Tobias who graciously accepted the drink and a napkin. "I'm one of the artists on display.. I'm also his cousin.. he didn't say you'd be here but mentioned you were fierce.. hasn't stopped talking about you.. he wasn't kidding." Katie absently shook her hand while her eyes locked on to Tobias. "He mentioned your sister was a photographer."

"Oh...uh.. cousin.." A radiant red had crashed her cheeks as she understood what she'd done. She took off mumbling apologies and feeling tears in her eyes. In a moment, she grasped that she'd humiliated herself and him by not only assuming something but acting out when she had no provocation or just cause. Tobias went after her with a look of apology to his cousin who smiled and shrugged.

Naomi had kept her eyes on everything as she drank from her glass. She wasn't the only one who was paying attention but Effy had the forethought to realize this was a one on one thing. She'd seen Katie run off but the boy she'd accosted followed. It was a little surprising as he didn't seem like the type she'd date in college. But the fact that he cared enough to follow after being doused said something about him. The woman by his side looked over to Naomi who then looked away.

..

"Katie." He called after her. She was already out the main door, trying to hold in the tears threatening to fall. She didn't make herself the fool for a boy. Never. They were expendable. She kept walking, turning the corner into an alley when a hand gripped her upper arm. She had heard him but tried ignoring his voice. She didn't want to hear it. He was bound to break up with her. You're not dating. You've never wanted to date him. That's not true. She closed her eyes while her own voice was ringing in her head. "Katie.." He said it softly without a hint of anger or annoyance. "Look.. I'm sorry.. I didn't know you would be here.. or that you liked this stuff.. if I had.. I'd have asked you to come with me.." Tobias stood in front of her as he spoke. His hands rubbing up and down on her upper arms. She opened her eyes.

"Why the fuck are you apologizing? I threw a drink in your face you twat. I'm the one who should be apologizing." She could hear her lisp and grimaced. She met his eyes a second then they settled on his chest instead.

"I'm apologizing because.." He looked at her and realized that she wasn't as demanding as normal. Not her posture, not even her words. He bent his knees a bit so he could look her in the eyes. "Because I didn't ask you to come with me.. because my cousin ratted me out.. about talking about you.." He touched her cheek. "and I talk about you.. to anyone who will listen.. except you." She looked at him and felt her bottom lip tremble. "My cousin.. she doesn't have a filter sometimes.. But I like you. Not just every other Wednesday and Fridays.." Katie took a shuddering breath.

"I don't know.. how to do that.. liking someone.. for real.." He looked at her and didn't know what to say. Instead he leaned in and kissed her.

..

Sasha was trying to talk to Effy but kept getting interrupted by people. His attention was in high demand. And yet, he was still determined not to be more than a couple of strides from the brunette. Both girls had noticed but neither had mentioned it. Even as Effy wandered to a different set of images, he followed two steps behind. Naomi felt comfortable enough to meander on her own. The crowd wasn't threatening in the least. People were good with not invading her space. She was looking at a photograph of a chain link fence in front of a field of flowers.

"Why do I think you know how those flowers feel?" A voice came up from behind her. She turned to see the woman she'd spied with Katie's male friend earlier. She had a smile that could have melted Naomi on the spot. There was a hint of innocence in her eyes but a boldness that couldn't be denied. She gave a smile and went back to looking at the photograph.

"I'd say.. you spend a lot of time watching people." She didn't believe the words came out of her mouth. She was attributing it to the champagne. A smile on her lips felt good. The woman took a step forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with her. The barest of connection but it was electrifying. She took a sip from the glass in her hand. She was certain it was her third flute of champagne.

"Artist or art lover?"

"Didn't realize that had to be either or."

"It's not but... I wanted to know if I should find your work on the walls before totally hitting on you."

"Ahh...an art snob.. can't hit on me if my art isn't good enough."

"Not exactly." She drew out the word not. Her accent was different and Naomi couldn't help but enjoy the sound of it. "It's more of.. if I should be jealous of your talent or not." She turned and faced Naomi. "I'm Laura."

"Naomi." She turned and faced her. Laura was a little shorter than her. Her hair was a dark brown but there were some highlights mixed in.

"Oh good.. two one name wonders occupying the same space.. how will the world survive?"

Naomi found herself laughing and feeling lighter. "It is possible the world ends tonight and we are mere witnesses."

"I'd like to think we're the ones setting the world on fire.. don't you?" Naomi found herself feeling warm at their easy dialogue. "So... any of the photos.. or other art.." She shook her head.

"No.. not an artist.. I was... invited.. the gallery owner is rather impulsive." Laura laughed.

"Sasha.. yeah.. he's very determined when he's sure about something. You must have impressed him somehow."

"I work at a flower shop.. there was no impressing."

"I'm impressed already and we've barely met." Naomi laughed loudly at that. The was no doubt Laura was flirting. It wasn't unwelcome. She drank more of her champagne.

"You're charming."

"And you're striking. Hopefully the lovely brunette you came in isn't your date?" She asked coyly and looked over at Effy. "She's very pretty."

"She's one of my best mates... along with the woman who interrupted your group dramatically.." Laura mouthed a got it.

"My cousin.. he likes her."

"Noted."

The conversation continued in short spurts as they made their way through the images on the wall slowly.

..

Emily was surprised at Connor's idea. He wasn't one for art really. They'd maybe talked about art once or twice but it was because of her focus on it not his. As much as he appreciated her photography, he wasn't one to spend time admiring art on the whole. But here she was dressed in a light dress with her hair loose. Not that it was long enough to pin up. As she looked around at all of the art, the people, she felt warm and happy. Connor had been holding her hand all along until he ran into a colleague who seemed equally surprised to see him there. One thing led to another and they began discussing some new procedure in forensics that they had recently read an article on. Emily let go of his hand and walked around on her own.

She admired the different images on the wall and took note of the names. It wouldn't hurt to connect if they were local but she noted some were from other countries which made her even more curious about the gallery. She had turned the corner and caught sight of her. Her breath stopped. She thought she was mistaken because the hair wasn't as she remembered. It was longer and much darker. Nowhere near the blonde she would spend hours running her fingers through. But she wasn't wrong. Not wrong about the edge of her jaw as as she tilted her head a bit and laughed. Not wrong at the flash of blue that even at this angle was the exact shade she had been seeking. She took notice of the woman making her laugh and felt immediate ache inside her.

How long had it been? She felt herself start to breathe but she didn't move closer. In fact, she moved as to hide herself behind a small crowd talking animatedly about a bust in front of them. She admired her from afar and felt her palms sweat. The glass she was holding felt slippery in her hand. She finished the champagne and handed off the flute to a passing server. All the while not letting her eyes leave her. She watched the woman she was talking with touch her shoulder. The feeling rolling over her wasn't something she was used to. It was feral. It was primal. It was possession. She jumped when Connor came up behind her and took hold of her hand. He looked at her.

"You ok?"

"Yeah.. I'm.. I'm ok.. I was lost..in thought..Sorry.."

"Well then I made the right call.. The moment I saw the post card I figured it would be something you'd enjoy. I'd have thought we'd see your sister here though."

"What?" She turned to look at him directly, finally losing sight of her. "My sister.."

He blushed. "It was a note.. from her.. She slipped it under the door and said you should come to this." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I wasn't going to take the credit entirely.. I wanted to thank her.. invite her to a late dinner.. I thought she was going to be here and I'd get to finally meet her. I mean I know she's supposed to attend the housewarming but this.. It seemed a bit more personal."

"Katie.." She turned to look back at the woman she had been watching but she was gone. A moment of panic rose up in her. Her cheeks pinked and Connor hesitated.

"I"m sorry.. I should have told you from the beginning.. I hope you're not mad.. that I.. snooped.. But it was a post card for this and a note that said to come." She was half listening and trying to form a picture in her own head.

"Katie told you about this.. I mean.. she dropped off information about this gallery?" He nodded. "I need to look for her." She let go of his hand and he was about to follow her. She placed a hand on his chest. "I'm sorry.. mind if I try to find her.. Katie by myself.. first? It's a... it's a sister thing." He nodded again.

"Sure.. I can go talk to Michael some more.. he can go all night.. I excused myself.. to be with .. but yeah.. I'll..." She walked away before he even finished his thought. He looked after her and knew there was something more behind her eyes. He'd known her long enough to know how she thought through things and this was a little different. He put his hands in his pockets and walked back to his colleague.

..

Their kiss had grown into more than. They'd stumbled into the alleyway to get some cover from the shadows. Hands roamed over their clothes as moans caressed the gallery's brick wall. His hands slipped to Katie's breasts, making her shiver against his touch. For a moment, he hesitated as he was still aware they were in public. It was when he felt her hands on his belt that he nudged her away slightly.

"Katie.. we can't.." She looked at him like he had two heads.

"Why not?" She bit her lip and he wished for the power of teleportation. He swallowed and felt her pressing her hand against his bulge.

"We're in an alley... what if.." She laughed and kissed him as she squeezed. He groaned into the kiss.

"You've never... quick rumble outside a club?" She could see the blush in his cheeks and had her answer. She unzipped him. Her mouth kissing her way to his ear as she felt the hardness. "Time we pop that cherry yeah?" She took his hand and slipped it under her dress. It took less than ten seconds before he was fumbling to put on a condom and push her knickers to the side.

..

She had finally wandered away on her own. She admired the pictures and canvases. Sasha was never too far but his importance got the better of him and was generally surrounded by people praising him. Effy watched everything all from her own corner. Naomi and the woman. Sasha mentioned she was a photographer named Laura. She'd flown in from Canada for the show. He'd met her during a trip to Toronto a couple of years back. They'd kept in contact and he invited her as a guest artist. She could feel his eyes on her. It wasn't something new from men. But it had been a long time. She was being noticed and observed in ways she hadn't recognized in ages.

She appreciated how comfortable Naomi had seemed in her presence and kept her distance as they appeared to get to know each other. It wasn't long into it when she caught sight of the other twin. She smiled both because it was good to see her even from afar, but also because Katie had been right. It was painted on her like one of the artworks featured.

She remained a passive watcher until she noticed Naomi and Laura taking off seconds after a man interrupted Emily's private viewing. She smiled at Sasha who asked if she wanted another drink. She handed off her empty glass and said no but that she would be back. Without an explanation she went to head off Emily. The twin was obviously not expecting her and her eyes opened wide. First in recognition then in what looked like surprised appreciation.

"Eff?"

"Certainly not a ghost. How are you Emily?"

"Good.. I'm good. How are you? Katie said.."

"Yeah she did.. but things change don't they?" She purposely blocked her off from advancing.

"Is she here?" Emily wanted to see her sister even if she wasn't sure what she would say. She had an idea that all of this was orchestrated.

"Who?" Effy tilted her head and looked both innocent and like the cat who ate the canary.

"Katie.. is Katie here?"

"She was.. but then she left." She didn't add more to the statement and let it hang between them. She could see Emily shifting on her feet. Her eyes never resting on Effy for too long. She didn't know if she was avoiding her gaze or if she was looking for Naomi. Probably the latter but certainly a bit of the former. "She left too." Emily's head snapped back.

"Who?"

"The brunette you couldn't stop staring at."

"I don't know who.."

"Save it. Insanity doesn't do anything for my eyesight." That last part hadn't been entirely true given the hallucinations she'd suffered in the past but she doubted Emily knew anything about that. "It was comical. You stopped dead in your tracks. Almost left marks on the floor when you spotted her." She could see she was having an effect. "Noticed your fellow there. Curious that. You left him holding his cock and went looking for her."

"I didn't leave him for.." She paused not sure she could say the name. "I was looking for Katie. Connor said.."

"Connor... yes.. the one whose side you departed but didn't leave.. right." Effy's eyes caught Emily's and held them. She knew she was unsettling her in the easiest way possible.

"Stop it."

"Why should I?" Effy was pointed while giving an air of unaffected affirmation.

"Cause you have no idea..."

"Don't I?" She stood up straight and actively defied Emily.

"No."

"Neither do you." Emily opened her mouth to talk but thought better of it. "You're not over her. Never were. Whatever you have with him... it's not what you want."

"You don't know me Effy. Not any more. Maybe not ever." Emily shook her head and tried not to look past the brunette.

"Bullshit... I knew you before.. Doormat and all. Knew you after too... even when you went all raging bitch." She didn't mean to be harsh. But she wasn't letting the twin off any hooks. "You haven't changed so much." She looked past her and smiled. "Hello." Effy turned her eyes to him as he came up behind Emily. For all of Katie's high drama, she hadn't been wrong. There was an air of familiarity in his appearance but he wasn't her. The eyes. Yes, she saw the clarity in them. "You must be Connor."

..

Sasha had left the after hours gathering sometime around 1am. He'd hired enough hostesses and other servers to close things out. He'd hoped the girls would have stuck around but somewhere later in the night, he'd even lost track of Effy. He had last seen her talking with someone who looked remarkably like Katie but different clothing. He walked up to the third floor somewhat happy the party was staying out of his living space. He could use with a bit of a reprieve. He was surprised to find the door half open and a lamp turned on. As he ventured further into his place, Sasha saw a sleeping Effy on his couch. He smiled as he saw her curled up, shoes on the floor. She still wore her dress but had appropriated a blanket from his bedroom.

..

The sun was shining through the window as Naomi grumbled. A ray of very happy sun was hitting her eyes and she wasn't quite ready to wake up. She turned and found herself curled up around another body. She almost jumped out of bed but the previous night came crashing over her and she simply smiled and pulled the sleeping woman into her.