Her Reason to Stay Read Online Free Page A

would soon find there were two of them, and this girl could expect the shock any moment.
    The girl lifted her khaki Cosmic Grounds baseball cap and settled it again on her spiky hairdo. “Can I help you?”
    “May I have a café au lait and a cherry scone?”
    “Sure.” Smacking a big wad of gum, she tapped out the charges and gave Daphne the bill, still studying her. “I’ll bring it to your table.”
    Daphne paid then found a spot for two in a dark corner. Until she knew how Raina felt, it might be best to keep their meeting private.
    Trying to be invisible reminded Daphne of how she’d spent her adolescence, hunched over, pretending she wasn’t a developing young woman, that she didn’t exist, hoping no one else would try to touch her.
    She was spending her twenties learning to live confidently in her own skin.
    A small hand with a Celtic ring tattooed in henna on its index finger slid a mug and scone onto the table.
    “I like that.” Daphne pointed to the girl’s finger.
    “ You like it?”
    Daphne almost laughed. Raina must not seem like a tattoo kind of girl. The door opened, making the bell above it peal. The girl turned to greet her new customer. Only to wheel back and eye Daphne.
    “I thought you were her.”
    “You’re probably wondering why now.” Seeing them both, no one would have trouble telling the sophisticated, well-groomed Raina from Daphne.
    “Hunh.” The girl whistled around her gum and went back to the counter.
    Even Daphne felt confused when she looked at her twin. Daphne’s hair tended to clench like a fist in the rain, so she’d wound it into a knot before she’d climbed out of her car. Raina’s hair dared not curl. If they ever became intimate enough, Daphne would ask how her sister achieved such flawless control.
    Raina placed her order then came to the table. She tucked her change into a wallet that matched her multibuckled, oversize white purse. “Sorry I kept you waiting. I couldn’t find my umbrella. I never used to be so scattered.” Not one wrinkle, not a speck of dirt touched her white suit.
    Daphne marveled. Nature versus nurture. They were bound to learn which was more powerful if they got to know each other.
    “You’re staring,” Raina said.
    Daphne shut her mouth. “Not to be rude. Why’d you ask me to meet you here?”
    “You get to the point.”
    “I thought the same thing about you in Patrick’s office.” She must have said his name with some special emphasis because Raina lifted both eyebrows, leaning forward. Daphne touched her own brows.
    “Patrick talked you into giving me a second chance,” Raina said. “How did he do that?”
    Daphne picked a packet of sweetener out of a small ceramic holder. “He said you’d want to know me.”
    Raina stared at the sweetener package for a second. “I’m sorry about accusing you, but I have money, and you…”
    “Don’t. But I do have a temper.” And pride. “I have manners and feelings, despite my low-class background.”
    “Right. Sorry.” She took the sweetener out of Daphne’s fingers, and Daphne met her sister’s gaze.
    Again, Raina said nothing for several moments. Finally, she held her hand out. “I behaved like an idiot, but please take some time before you decide about me.”
    Daphne took her hand. They shook as the girl from the counter approached with a tray.
    Raina took it, her expression relaxing into a smile. “Thanks, Kyla.” She set her mug—tea—and a dish of sugar cubes on the table.
    “Sure.” Kyla took the tray back, still staring from one to the other of them. “Call me if you need anything else.”
    Raina grinned at Kyla’s retreating back. “She’s shocked. So am I, every time I look at you.”
    “But you seem to be taking it in stride now.” Daphne sipped her coffee. “I thought you were frightened this afternoon. Now, you seem confident, like a woman with a plan.”
    “My parents never told me I was adopted. Imagine opening a door and seeing someone with your