Chapter Four

Amanda's idea of lunch turned out to be at a coffee shop, with sugary pastries and black coffee.

"I just love this place!" She said, stuffing her face with a cheesecake. "Isn't it lovely?"

Malia looked around her, a look of disdain boldly plastered on her face. "Yeah," She said sarcastically. "It sure has a lovely feel to it."

Amanda rolled her eyes. "Here, try something. You'll like it."

Malia groaned. The place was crowded and the voices of people rose above her head like a storm cloud. The air smelled of sugar and coffee, at least that was nice. Why was a coffee shop so busy at 2 pm?!

She stared at the coffee in front of her, and the slice of strawberry cream cake beside it. With a shrug, she picked up the coffee and took a sip of it. Surprisingly it was good. Her eyes lit up and she stared at the cup in disbelief.

"See?" Amanda chirped. "I told you it was good."

"Yes I know but we could've just gone to a restaurant if you wanted lunch that bad."

"Well, twist my arm for wanting to hang out with my sister. I don't even see you anymore!"

Malia sighed, already feeling tired of her sister. "Look, you decided to leave okay, that was...." She paused, realizing what she had just said. Her cheeks heated up with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"You're not okay," Amanda mumbled. "How is Grant?"

"You know, the usual," Malia replied, seemingly disinterested. She took a bite of the strawberry cream cake. It tasted divine. She now understood why the store was so crowded. She could feel Amanda's eyes staring intently at her. She pretended not to notice.

"Could you stop staring at me?"

"Nope,"

"Okay. So tell me, what have you been up to?"

They settled into an easy, comfortable conversation after that catching up with each other's lives and all of that. Malia could tell that Amanda was just itching to know the whole story, but was being respectful. Malia was grateful for that. They spent about two hours in the coffee shop, and it was quite fun for Malia.

"I'll be back, I need a cold drink," Malia said to Amanda. She went to order a cold drink. Two colas in hand, she walked back to their table when suddenly someone bumped into her. She gasped, one of the colas had spilled on her dress, making a huge brown stain.

"Oh my god!" She exclaimed, trying to wipe it only for the second one to slip out of her hand and splash on her hem. Annoyance flashed through her and she glared up at the culprit "Next time how about you watch...." Her words died in her throat, her anger dissolved and vanished.

"Oh my, I am sorry miss, I wasn't watching," The person who'd bumped into her apologized. "I know a drycleaning shop nearby. I could pay to have your gown fixed. I'm so sorry."

"Malia, what's wrong?!"

Malia barely heard a word. She was held spellbound by the cola-spilling stranger. He was the most beautiful creature she'd ever laid eyes on. His deep blue eyes reminded her of Sapphires, so deep and brilliant. He held her gaze, and she couldn't look away. His lips were moving but she couldn't hear a single word. A hand on her shoulder drew her from her thoughts.

"Are you okay?" Amanda asked, pulling her aside. She examined the stain and sighed. "This is bad."

"I-it’s okay," Malia said, her voice sounding feeble. She turned to the stranger. "You were saying?"

He looked a bit taken aback. "Let me pay to have your gown cleaned. I know a shop close by."

Malia shook her head. "No, it's okay. It's not a problem. I...I should be going home now." She grabbed Amanda, amidst her protests, and dragged her out of the coffee shop and to her car. Once inside she released a huge breath she didn't know she was holding.

"What is wrong with you today?!" Amanda asked.

"Nothing," Malia said, her voice sounding far away. "I'm fine. Let's go home."

"It's not even 4 pm yet."

"You're whining like a child." Malia started the car and speed drove out of the parking lot. She realized her heart was racing, in a good way. She never knew someone could have such an effect on her. Then she remembered that she was married and her spirits sunk to the ground.

After dropping Amanda off and changing at her apartment, she did a little bit of shopping to try and lift her spirits. At the jewelry store, she saw a sapphire necklace. Without a second thought, she bought it. It sure did lift her spirits. Once she was done, she drove back to Grant's penthouse. He hadn't informed her if he would be home or not, so she wasn't expecting anything. Plus it was 8 p.m., and he was never home that early.

Except he was. His car was parked outside, and it was still warm.

Malia felt a bit apprehensive as she walked to the front door. She didn't know how he would react if he found out that she'd left. Again, she hadn't considered it. She walked into the living room and there he was, a glass of whiskey in hand, looking slightly drunk and talking loudly. It was then she noticed that there was someone else in the house, their back was turned to her but she could see long blond hair. Had he brought home a woman?! But on second glance, the shoulders were too wide to be that of a woman.

Grant noticed her and perked up. "Hey, Malia, get your fine ass over here."

She winced at his tone and walked towards him. "You're home early."

He drank from the glass. "Yeah, no brainer." He pointed at the person seated on the couch, and Malia felt her heart stop, drop, and then double. "This is my twin brother, Andrew. He's gonna stay with us for a few days, be a good bitch, and take care of him for me, alright?"

Andrew rose to his feet and smiled, extending a hand. "Good evening Malia, my brother has told me lots about you."

Malia wanted to vanish. Shakily, she shook his hand. "Welcome, Andrew."

His blue eyes shone like the sapphire in her shopping bag. His lips, oh his lips, they were so alluring it was easy to zone out. He was saying something, but Malia couldn't hear him. All she could think about was how good those lips would feel caressing her body.

Fuck, why did the handsome stranger have to be her husband's brother?!