Things like her flawless porcelain skin. It wasn’t from perfectly-applied foundation, her skin just looked that good. Furthermore, her thick, dark lashes didn’t require mascara, her arched brows didn’t need to be penciled in and her lips were pink and full without lipstick, liner or gloss. Yes, she’d enhanced all those things that night at the ball, but he found her just as attractive, if not more so, when she was working in her food truck and doing what she loved.
And if his attraction to her wasn’t enough, the minute he touched her, any doubts about her true identity went out the window. She was the woman he spent the night with at the club. There was an instantly familiar chemistry. The catch of her breath when he caught her wrist, the widening of those brown-and-gold eyes as she felt the same electric current running between them... He knew it all by heart.
That woman had been by his side from minutes after his arrival until she slipped out late in the night, leaving her mask behind. That meant she had little time to acquire a new mark and seduce his brother, as well. And based on their discussions, Lauren had no idea Sebastian Wingate had a twin brother, or knew much of anything else about his family. Bottom line? She wasn’t likely a spy sent to take down the family with that little information. But she could still be playing him, so to be safe, he intended to keep his distance until he got the report back on Lauren from his brother Miles.
That made the distance to Dallas a painful exercise in self-restraint for Sutton. It actually made him wish he hadn’t chosen to wear his tightest pair of jeans for the date.
“So are we going to the gallery first, or to the pop-up?” Lauren asked after a few miles of nothing but the radio murmuring softly in the background.
“The gallery is up first. I checked the hours and it won’t be open that late, so I wanted us to have as much time as you wanted to there. Our reservations at the restaurant are for later.”
To be honest, Sutton was not excited about going to the gallery. His aunt Piper was very observant and had an eye for detail. It made her an excellent gallery owner and a very nosy aunt. If anyone had a chance of blowing his charade as Sebastian, it was Piper. But avoiding the gallery would raise flags, too. So all he could do was go to the gallery as requested and hope for the best.
Rounding the corner near his aunt’s place, Sutton pulled into a spot along the street. He helped Lauren out of the car and escorted her down the sidewalk and into the gallery.
He loved Piper’s gallery and he could tell that Lauren was instantly taken with it, as well. It had stark white walls with colorful pieces every direction you looked. Paintings, sculptures and even a modern glass-and-metal mobile that hung from the ceiling, brought the space to life.
“This,” Lauren said with conviction, “is what I want.”
“You want an art gallery?” Sutton asked.
“No. But the feel. The colors. The modern lines. One day if I get to open my own restaurant, I want it to look like this. I love it.”
“Well, I’m sure that Aunt Piper would be happy to sell you a few pieces for the walls when you’re ready.”
Lauren chuckled dismissively. “I can’t afford a restaurant without wheels. What makes you think I can afford to hang expensive art on the walls?”
Sutton shrugged. “Maybe she could consign them to you if they’re too expensive. You could ask her about it. Some of the pieces are her own work, so she might also be willing to make you a deal. In addition to that, my aunt has an eye for young, talented artists and likes to showcase their work here for exposure. These pieces probably aren’t as expensive as you’d think.”
A petite woman dressed in all black approached them. Sutton didn’t recognize her, and that was a relief. “Welcome to Holloway Gallery. Can I help you?” she asked.
“I’m Sebastian Wingate, Piper’s nephew.” Sutton focused very hard on his words to say the right name. “I brought a friend up to see her place for the first time. Is she here today?”
“No, actually she’s out o
f town,” the woman said. “She won’t be back until Monday, but feel free to walk around and let me know if you need anything.”
He nodded, trying to hide his relief, and the gallery employee disappeared. With the worry of exposure out of the way, he could focus on enjoying himself. Lauren’s eye drew her to a large, colorful portrait and he followed her there. They made their way through the gallery, discussing pieces and talking about which ones would look best in her future restaurant. So far, his vote was for a pop art piece of a giant avocado.
They were admiring a painting on the far wall when the front door’s bell chimed. Sutton turned around to find someone he knew stepping into the gallery. “Brian?”
The man turned around to look in Sutton’s direction and recognition lit up his face. “Hey,” he said as he walked toward them, carefully avoiding names and indicating to Sutton that he didn’t know which one of the twins he was talking to.
Perfect.
“Sebastian,” he said knowingly, and Brian sighed in relief. “And this is my friend, Lauren Roberts. Lauren, this is Brian Cooper. Although we’re technically not family, he’s like a cousin because he’s the nephew of the man we all call Uncle Keith. Keith was my father’s best friend and he’s basically been at my mother’s side since my father had his stroke and then passed away.”
Sutton wouldn’t elaborate on the creepy turn “Uncle” Keith’s attention to his mother had taken since his father died. He didn’t actually care for the man. But his mother seemed happy enough with him around, so he’d decided it wasn’t any of his business. Others in the family were less welcoming to Keith’s attentions to Ava.
Lauren smiled politely and shook Brian’s hand. Sutton couldn’t help but notice that Brian seemed disinterested in talking to them. At the very least, distracted. He kept glancing over Sutton’s shoulder to the gallery behind him, as though he were looking for something or someone.
“Brian is an attorney here in Dallas,” Sutton explained to Lauren. “So what are you doing up here at the gallery?” Sutton asked. “Looking for a piece to hang in your firm’s lobby?”
“No, although that isn’t a bad idea. I was hoping to have a word with Piper.”
Sutton couldn’t fathom what Keith’s nephew would have to say to his aunt, but he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he delivered the bad news. “We just spoke to the lady here and she said Piper won’t be back until Monday.”
Brian frowned, but nodded in acceptance. “I guess I should’ve called before I came all the way down here. Not a total waste of an afternoon, though. I got to see you and this lovely lady. What are you two doing in Dallas?”