“Let’s go,” Yvette said. “Let’s get this over with. I’m ready to drink, and I’m ready to dance, and I’m ready to party.”
The two sisters left the bathroom and walked out into the ballroom. The Monster Brothers Security holiday party was one of the biggest events of the year on Sapphire Island, and it kind of felt like most of the island was in attendance. Oh, that wasn’t true, of course, but it certainly felt like it.
“There he is,” Allison said. “James!” She waved to the man standing at the closest bar, and he turned and smiled at her, waving back. Then, just as suddenly, his smile disappeared.
“What the fuck?” Yvette stepped up beside Allison and looked from James to Allison. “What the hell, Allison?”
“Um, what?” Allison blinked, wondering what her sister’s deal was. “That’s the guy I told you about. That’s James.”
“No,” Yvette hissed. “That’s Frank!”
“What?”
“Ladies,” James said, coming up to them.
“Hey,” Allison looked at him. “I was going to introduce you to my sister so that the two of you could talk and I could go find Christopher, but Yvette just told me you’re actually her ex-boyfriend slash roommate?”
“That’s right,” James nodded. “It’s okay, Allison. You want to go find your mate, but mine is standing right in front of me.”
“Mate?” Yvette whispered.
“Wait, so is your name James or is it Frank?” Allison was confused.
“And why would you ask my sister out if you liked me so much?” Yvette whispered.
“I didn’t ask your sister out. She invited me to the party as a friend, and she made it very clear that the invitation was just as friends. I figured that it would be a good chance for me to get to know a new colleague.”
“You knew I was Yvette’s sister?” Allison asked.
“I suspected that you were. You look enough alike, Once you were wearing her clothing, I knew for sure. I scented her on you.”
“Okay,” Allison said, putting her hands on her hips. “That still doesn’t explain why you lied about your name.”
“I didn’t,” he said. “My name is Frank James.”
“Frank James?”
“Yep.”
“That’s a horrible name,” Allison whispered.
“That’s why I go by James.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you worked here?” Yvette whispered.
“Because we broke up, and I needed something to take my mind off of you,” James said. “I was offered a job on Sapphire Island, so I figured I should go for it. Besides, it wasn’t like the commute was bad.”
“But you just told Allison I’m your mate.”
“You are my mate, Yvette. You’re my one and only.”
“But we broke up.”
“And I’m sorry about that,” James said. “I was a fool, Yvette. I was a complete asshole. I know that. I’m going to make it up to you, though.”
“What?”
“I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you if it means you’ll just give me another chance,” he said.