Chapter 12

Anthony and George Lellis pulled up the drive-way in separate but identical cars. They had duplicate grins on their faces and a light, breezy laugh for mum when she scampered down the balcony stairs and into their arms.

"Mrs Wilkins-" Anthony began, teasing.

"-it's so nice to see you!" George finished for his twin, laughing.

Mum chuckled and kissed them both on the cheek. "Still terror's, the pair of you!" she mock-scolded. "Haven't you grown out of that habit yet?"

Anthony had the grace to look bashful, but George just laughed louder and clapped his twins back. "You should see us in the board-rooms," he replied cheerily, "downright awful."

Anthony looked past mum to the rest of us, still standing crowded in the doorway, smiling manically. He stepped forward and shook dad's hand seriously and then ruined the effect with a bear hug.

"It's been too long, boy," Dad said when Anthony released him. "You should come over more often."

"We would if we could," Anthony said, his gaze sliding past dad and lighting on my sister who had joined mum and dad at the bottom of the stairs. Following her lead, Michel and I sauntered down and waited patiently to be noticed.

I saw Anthony's eyes widen in feigned surprise. "Bethany! Feels like I haven't see you in yonks!"

Standing conveniently (for her) beside her, Bethany had time to throw me a triumphant see-they-didn't-even-notice-you glance before she was swept into Anthony's arms, quickly joined by George, who gave her a sloppy kiss on the cheek.

"And now you're off to get married Beth?" George glared and then caught Peter's eye and grinned. "And this is the lucky man then? What a shame he's such a loser, Beth. I'm sure you could have done better."

Peter rolled his eyes and shook the twin's hands, acting the mature adult and ignoring their teasing. Anthony turned towards me then, and his eyes widened. "And who's this young beauty then? You didn't tell me you have guests over Mrs Wilkins!"

Taking a leaf out of Peter's book I rolled my eyes. "Hello Anthony," I greeted him dryly, "Hey George."

"Ariana, it's been too long," George said quietly, his eyes suddenly tender, the amusement gone. He stepped forward past Beth, and folded me in his arms gently, as if I were a fragile doll. George had always felt a need to care for me, as if I were his sister rather than cousin. It drove Beth crazy.

"Hey give her over George! You can't hog all the babes!"

With a laugh George released me and I was enveloped in Anthony's embrace, swung around with a yell while I squealed and beat on his back with my fists to let me down.

When he did, he turned to Michel who was standing a little apart from everyone else, uncomfortable to be part of such an intimate family reunion.

"Ah, so this is the famous Michel," Anthony grinned, winked and held out his hand to him. I wondered if the wink was intended for me or Michel. Anthony, once he'd come out of the closet, was a ceaseless man-eater. I was sure Michel, my sort-of boyfriend, was yummy enough to tease the hunter out of him, all snapping jaws and rivulets of dripping drool.

Michel's mouth twitched in a smile, and he shook Anthony's, then George's hand firmly. "You've heard of me then?"

George sighed. "For years man, we've heard nothing but of you."

George threw me a look laced with amusement. "And you've finally come to your senses, Ria and snatched him up while you could."

I blanched inside and met Michel's eyes. He was looking at me with an I-told-you-so glint in his eyes. It was harder than I thought, lying to them all.

"Yeah well," I said as I slung my arm around Michel's waist, "Can you blame a girl?"

Anthony grinned and gave Michel the once over, "Not for an instant. If you hadn't, I sure would have."

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Beth pointedly ignored me for the rest of the afternoon, focusing all her attention on the cousins while they in turn focused all their attention on me. Or in Anthony's case, on Michel.

"Well, we see her once a year at most" George had joked as he tried to placate the obvious jealousy that raged in Beth's eyes. "You can't blame us for wanting to catch up when we can!"

Mum and Dad had retreated to the kitchen to finish dinner preparations, leaving the six of us alone. Peter said little, being the type to sit back and observe rather than actively participate, but he stayed close to Bethany probably hoping that his whole attention would take some of the sting away from the cousin's disinterest. Fat chance lover-boy, I thought unsympathetically.

"So you're a jaded New Yorker now?" Anthony asked as he leaned back against the lounge, thrusting his legs out in front of him. He was slightly rumpled as always with his dark hair ruffled, eyes crinkled at the corners, and lop-sided smile in place. His twin was his opposite: impeccably groomed, smooth and tanned with the body that bespoke regular attendance at the gym. George sat beside his brother with his back straight, legs crossed neatly. "Tell me, do you step over homeless people? See murder scenes every day?"

"I've been a jaded New Yorker since I was 18," I said, "a good five years now."

"And how many times have we seen you since then? Three times? Four?" Anthony pouted and folded his arms. "It would be much easier if you lived here you know, we can get you a job at the company, easy."

"Thanks but no thanks." I shuddered. Thinking of living in the same country as my sister was too much. No way. Not a chance. I liked having my own space from family.

"Don't be silly Anthony," Beth added snidely. "Ria's much to caught up in her own life to care about what's going on over here."

George raised an eyebrow at me. He knew about the relationship between Beth and I. They both did. Most of the family did, extended family included. But still, this was more obvious than usual, even for her. Peter caught the look that passed between me and George pursing his lips. I was sure that when people told him about Beth and me and all our problems he just thought it was exaggeration. I almost pitied him. He had no idea about his fiancé's true colours, though I suspected he'd feel the brunt of it well enough when they did tie the knot on Saturday.

I winced. So soon. And then another two weeks of family time.

"Well its something to think about anyway," Anthony said, unfazed, and ran his hand through his hair, mussing it even more, "If things don't work out in the States."

I nodded at him, appreciating the offer. Anthony turned his attention to Michel. "And what about you, my lovely, what do you do for a living?"

Next to me, I felt Michel stiffen and then relax. I glared at Anthony for Michel's sake. He was deliberately making Michel uncomfortable. And enjoying every minute of it. George cleared his throat, hiding what I suspected was a choking laugh.

"I work in..." he said while glancing at me briefly, "sales."

"Oh? What kind?" Anthony's eyes had flared with interest. Uh oh. Bad sign. He'd know instantly if Michel was bluffing.

I jumped in quickly by saying, "Actually, he doesn't. I just say he does because I really don't understand what he does for a living and its too embarrassing telling that to people. Its okay honey, tell them what you really do."

Finally. A truth. It was a breath of fresh air.

Michel looked shocked, but recovered quickly, probably relieved too. "I actually work for a museum," he said, "importing and exporting antiques. It's difficult, because there's lots of political motivation behind most of it. And the rules for where an item can be removed to are getting tighter." He shrugged. "But I love it, and I get a holiday once a year to a place of my choice, clientele willing."

Anthony looked delighted. "Ria, be careful now, this boys almost worth trying to steal," he joked playfully (though I suspect that he was almost serious). George rolled his eyes.

"He says that about everyone who's not an accountant," George told Michel. "Don't worry."

Beth, however, was not impressed. She sat forward. "Well Ria, you've lied about his job. What else have you lied about I wonder?" She asked, that sneaky look revealing itself again when she glanced at Michel. Did I imagine the sudden brightness in her eyes, the way she licked her dry lips…seductively?

Surely, surely I imagined it. Hadn't she already done enough damage? Michel must have imagined the same thing, because I felt him shift closer to me and wrap his arm around my waist. It almost felt natural this time, and I settled back against him as Anthony and George kept up a light conversation, bantering playfully among themselves. Their attention was diverted for a moment by some comment of Peter's to Beth, but they then continued with their conversation.

But I hardly heard any of this. I was focused on the heavy weight of an arm around me, and suffering from a slight pang of...longing? Not for the first time this trip I wished Michel were real, that he wasn't my best friend. Just a stranger I happened to meet. There could be possibilities then…I shook my head sharply. What was I doing? This is Michel. Michel! My best friend!

Stop being ridiculous Ria! I scolded myself. He's just acting! What is wrong with you? This is only the second day and you're already panting after your best friend! Even your cousin is being more dignified than you are! Get a grip!

I forced myself to calm. I imagined smooth, sophisticated, and unfazed. Michel was my best friend and just this once, we happened to be pretending something more. It was nothing unnatural. Just different, I told myself.

I got a grip. I shifted slightly so I wasn't rested to fully against him. So that his arm was just a close touch and nothing more. And I ignored the way my heart and stomach fluttered strangely. That had absolutely nothing to do with anything.

I thought of Veronica. And the baby. Callum and Susie. Yes, that worked. There it was again, the anger. My constant companion; unfailing, predictable.

Would they be back for dinner?

Oh god please no.

I didn't want to face him now.

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