“That’s impossible. All of our merchandise is coded and then de-coded once payment is made. I’ll check again.” He smiled into her lovely face. Never had a beautiful woman, or any woman for that matter, come in to give money for no reason. “May I see the bracelet please?”
“Sure, but I’m trying to pay for it. And don’t you remember this morning—”
“Just give me a minute.”
His abruptness took her aback; she didn’t know what to think of his current disposition. Yet she stood there, impatiently tapping her foot.
He scanned the applicable code on the register’s minicomputer. “Ma’am, this bracelet has already been paid for.”
That definitely took her by surprise. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.
“Ma’am, are you okay?”
“No! No, I’m not okay. Don’t you remember anything? I came in yesterday and bought the bracelet and the Koshari. You took me to the Best Western, got me a room and then sent me breakfast—”
“Will you hold on a minute? I never did any of those things, miss. And I certainly didn’t take you to the Best Western.”
“Am I going crazy here? Darrius, you did take me to the—”
“Ah, this explains everything. I’m not Darrius. I’m Derrick, his twin. And believe me, had I taken you to the Best Western I’d have stayed there with you, if you’ll pardon my boldness.”
Then she remembered. He did mention having a brother. “Oh, my God, I’m so sorry. I’ve all but accused you of being a cad. You must think I’m so weird.”
“Not at all. I’m Derrick Red Sky, and you must be Justine.”
“Yeah! He told you about me?”
“He told me he had purchased some jewelry and had left the money in the register with the receipt. I had no idea it was the same bracelet; I thought it was something he had bought for himself. Sorry. He described you, but didn’t do you the least bit of justice. I’m sorry to have confused you.”
Whew! What a relief! “No, it was all me,” she said, taking his outstretched hand. “I’m so pleased to meet you. Boy, you two are totally identical, except Darrius has lighter eyes.” That would explain the different colored eyes in her dream. Damn! I dreamed of his brother! How weird is that?
“That’s the only difference,” he said.
“So I guess it’s safe to say you weren’t the one who sent me breakfast?”
“I’d like to take credit for it, but my brother found you first. He has quite a thing for you.”
“Really? So soon?”
“He doesn’t fall easily for women, but I think you may have snagged him. Why else would a man pay $393 for a bracelet unless it was a gift for someone?”
“He really did pay for it?”
“Yes, ma’am. The best I can do is offer you a few bags of these.” He gave her a handful of Native American tea bags. “These are really good. I like the Warrior’s Brew best.”
She accepted the bags, saying, “Thanks. I’ll have to find Darrius and give him his money back for the bracelet.”
“Why? Don’t you like it?”
“I love it,” she said, fingering the precious spiny oyster.
“It was a gift. Believe me, he can afford it. He owns this place, and a few others. I’m just taking over for him today until he comes back from his golf outing.”
Flustered that the sexiest man in the universe had given her an expensive bracelet, she barely heard a thing Derrick said, other than the golf part. “Where is he? I’d like to thank him in person for everything.”
“Municipal Golf Course on Susan Street. Do you know how to get there?”
“I passed it last night on my way to the night parade.”
“How was it? I missed it.”
“Beautiful. I took loads of pictures. I think the Examiner will be happy.”
“Yeah, he told me you were a photojournalist.”
“That reminds me. He said you’re a Koshari dancer. You think I could take pictures of you in your costume Saturday night?”
“Maybe before the ceremony starts. They won’t allow cameras after that.”
“I’d love to. That’s such an amazing deity.”
“He is, indeed.”
Slinging her hobo bag over her shoulder, she said, “I’d better go, but if it’s any consolation for me weirding you out a few minutes ago, you’re just as sexy as Darrius.”
“Best compliment a fellow can get. Darrius is a big man around here, and being seen as anything like him is worth hearing.”
“Then he’s a cool guy?”
