Harriet giggled. ‘Yes I do, Daddy.’
‘Then we’d better examine these biscuits, because if you don’t like them, then you definitely don’t belong to me. I can see from here they’re one of my favourites.’ He took his daughter across to the table, sat her down and pushed the plate with the two biscuits in front of her. ‘Take your time and enjoy them, sweetheart.’
Harriet reached for a biscuit, her face crinkling in delight. She took a tiny bite. ‘Mmm. Yum.’
He laughed. ‘Phew, turns out you do belong to me, after all. Now, I’d better have a chat with your aunt and help her get some dinner ready.’ Sean moved back to the kitchen counter.
Leah opened the fridge and held a bottle out to him. ‘Beer?’
He grinned and sat down at the counter. ‘Thanks. We could get used to this. Chocolate biscuits and beers on a Monday. Whatever would Eve say?’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘Really? She won’t let you have a beer?’
He twisted the top off his drink and took a swig. ‘She’d prefer I didn’t. That doesn’t mean I don’t. I just have to put up with her tutting the whole time.’
‘And the kids aren’t allowed any treats?’
‘Not on her watch. She’s crazy strict about it. Convinced they’ll end up overweight, pimply teens.’
‘They’re seven,’ Leah said. ‘That’s not exactly healthy for their body image or self-esteem.’
‘I agree,’ Sean said. ‘I take them for secret treats. Don’t I, Harry?’
The little girl’s mouth was coated in chocolate. ‘And we don’t tell Mummy.’
She smiled. ‘I’d better get on with this sauce. Hopefully Eve won’t object to pasta and salad.’
‘Grab yourself a beer too,’ her brother-in-law said. ‘Or a glass of wine? I’ll make the salad.’ He moved from the stool, washed his hands and started to prepare the ingredients.
Leah took a frosty bottle of light beer for herself and enjoyed the first sip as the cool liquid trickled down her throat.
They worked in comfortable silence for a few minutes. She fried the garlic and onion before browning the mince for the sauce. She hadn’t seen Sean since the girls’ birthday party three months ago, and she certainly hadn’t spent time alone with him in years.
Not that they were alone; Harriet was still licking chocolate off the second biscuit. Did her brother-in-law ever think back to the months before he and Eve had got together? The months where he’d flirted with Leah. Where her heart had soared every time she’d seen him.
They’d been at university; he was studying law, she journalism. Finally, he’d asked her out. They’d been to dinner and then on to a party at one of his law student friend’s houses.
After arriving at the party and being introduced to Sean’s friends, Leah had excused herself to go to the bathroom. There was a line and with only one toilet in the house, she’d been gone close to ten minutes.
Ten minutes she’d used to reflect on their laughter and flirting over dinner and the amazing night they’d had so far. She’d hugged herself; she’d never felt like this before.
When she returned she’d frozen in the doorway of the living room. Sean was sitting on the couch laughing, his arm draped around Eve. His laughter had been replaced with confusion the moment he saw her. He’d pulled his arm back and glanced from sister to sister.
Eve had jumped up and rushed over, flinging her arms around her. ‘Lee, come and meet this gorgeous guy. I’ve only known him for five minutes, and I’m going to marry him.’
Her heart had sunk. She’d forced a smile as she’d explained that Eve was her identical twin sister. He’d appeared mortified at first, but Leah couldn’t help but notice that his eyes kept travelling to Eve.
‘Didn’t you notice we were dressed differently?’ her sister had asked, laughing, one arm on Sean’s.
‘I’m so sorry, I was concentrating on what you were saying, I really didn’t notice to be honest. Your tops are different colours but you’re dressed similarly.’
Leah had dressed in black trousers, boots and a blue sequined top, and other than her top being a different shade of blue, Eve had been dressed almost identically. Even though they appeared identical, and were dressed similarly, Sean’s attention was captivated by Eve. He’d seemed mesmerised by her.
Her sister had taken her aside when he went to get them drinks. ‘How much do you like this guy?’
A lot. But he didn’t look at her in the same way he was looking at her twin.
To Eve, she’d forced a laugh. ‘It’s our first date, I’m just getting to know him.’
‘How would you feel if I stole him off you?’ Eve’s eyes twinkled.
Leah hesitated. Eve usually got what she wanted but it didn’t mean she wouldn’t put up a fight for something that was important to her. But then she thought of the way Sean had looked at Eve. She couldn’t force him to like her better than her sister. ‘I’d wish you both all the best,’ she’d answered.
‘Hold on, don’t be silly,’ Sean said, returning with their drinks. ‘This is our date. It’s lovely to have met Eve, but I’m here with you.’
Her twin had laughed. ‘Leah, you don’t have to leave. Sean and I have only spent five minutes together. If he wants to get to know me better, and you really don’t mind, we can go out another time.’ She looked across at Sean. ‘Right?’
‘I guess so.’
Leah had laughed at the indecision on his face. It was obvious that the two of them wanted to get to know each other right now. ‘Honestly, don’t worry, it’s not a big deal.’ She’d put her glass down on a nearby table, hugged Eve and grabbed her coat. ‘Thanks for dinner,’ she’d said to Sean.
She hadn’t waited for further discussion. He’d appeared confused and slightly embarrassed so it was easier to leave the two of them to it.
Leah saw Sean at uni occasionally after that, but it was at a distance and she’d generally chosen to look the other way and get on with things.
He and her sister had started dating, and it was over a month later when she’d seen him in a social setting when Eve had brought him home for dinner to meet their parents.
Sean had seemed uncomfortable around Leah and she’d been friendly but distant. She’d liked him, a lot, but deep down instinct told her if it was Eve he was into, there was no point fighting for him. He’d resent her down the track and her sister would be furious.
And anyway, her relationship with her twin would always be her first priority. To be fair to Eve, she’d checked numerous times that she was okay with her having interrupted their date. Leah had assured Eve that having seen Sean’s reaction when he’d met Eve, there was no denying who he was attracted to. There was no point trying to fight chemistry.
Eve and Sean had been together for fifteen years now. Happily married with two gorgeous children. It’d been the right choice.
‘How’s work?’ Sean’s deep voice shattered her memories.
They chatted companionably while they continued with the dinner preparations. Harriet went up to check on Ava every fifteen minutes, reporting back each time that her sister was still asleep.