“I can't go now. It'll be weird being the first person. Let's just wait a few minutes.”
Daniella rolled her eyes and nodded in reluctant agreement. The twins chuckled when three boisterous toddlers attacked her legs with aggressive cuddles, causing her to burst out in surprised laughter. The tinkling sound of her delight had Danny smiling goofily as he watched the scene unfold. They 'aww'ed when she shared a group hug with an elderly couple but when a line of teenaged boys headed her way, Daniella decided it enough was enough and forcibly dragged him nearer.
“Today's the day, Daniel Leon Archer! Go meet my future sister-in-law.” Daniella pushed him roughly which ended up with him nearly knocking into someone.
Danny spun around already apologizing for his clumsiness, which would be easier to do than trying to explain to a stranger that his sister was a brute.
“It’s alright. You didn’t even touch me. Oh, it's you! The one from the book store!” Her sparkling caramel-colored eyes lit up as she looked at him. Danny smiled widely at her in relief, over the moon at the fact that she knew he existed after all.
“Is that your sister?” She asked, looking pointedly over his shoulder. Danny turned around to find Daniella not even 10 feet away, staring intently at them her hands clasped and a crazed glint her eyes.
“I wish I had a sister.” she said wistfully, he noticed an accent but couldn't place it.
“How'd you know she was my sister?”
“You look both familiar. I mean alike...similar!” she sputtered, her flawless brown skin darkening with rosy tones. She caught Daniella's exaggerated scowl at her words.
“Oh no... I don't mean to say you look like a man. It's just that you look like the masculine and feminine version of one another. Same features but placed in the right way. The same eyes and hair color... I'm making such a fool of myself.” She covered her face with her hands in embarrassment.
Danny smiled kindly at her, hardly hearing a word she said. He was just happy that she was talking in his direct vicinity. From childhood, anyone who had ever met Danny and his sister always remarked on how much they looked like one another. From their rich red hair to their dark green eyes, even their lean, lanky build; they mirrored one another. However, that’s where the similarities stopped. Where Daniella was outspoken and honest to a fault, Danny was cautious and sweet-natured. He put strangers at ease while Daniella put them on guard, which served them well in their chosen professions.
“You’re both so dorky and adorable, I love it. Listen, I get it, you mean you think we're both hot right?” Daniella supplied, with a twinkle of mischief in her eye.
“Yes! Wait—no! I mean, yes! You're both very attractive, yes.” Her embarrassment seemed to grow as the conversation continued.
“We get that all the time, don’t we, Danny? So you’re smart and have good taste... what's your name?” Daniella gave Danny a not so subtle wink that had him face palming.
“Josephine.”
“That's a lovely name. Can I call you Josie? “
“Daniella, I think we should go now.”
“No, I don’t mind. I’m not accustomed to nicknames but I like it!” She looked genuinely delighted at the prospect.
“Really? That’s weird, but anyway, I'm Daniella and this is my twin brother, Daniel. Everyone calls him Danny though. He owns the bookstore that you go to all the time.”
“Oh, so you've noticed...” Josephine blushed, avoiding Danny’s appreciative gaze.
“Well, my brother definitely has.” Daniella earned an elbow nudge to her side.
“Ow! I mean, we sure have. It's a small bookstore in a small town, so you know how that goes.”
“Well it is my favorite place here in Beltsville. I can't believe you own it.”
Danny smiled gratefully at her, finally catching her eye. She smiled back shyly at him.
“Yeah we've been open for nearly 3 years. It was a dream of mine.”
“Why do you always buy those awful books? I mean out of all of them, why do you pick the ones with the worst blurb on the back cover? I've literally cringed reading those few lines. Let’s not even talk about some of those titles.” Daniella butted in, ignoring Danny's pleading look for her to get lost.
Josie laughed in recognition. “Oh, I purchase them for my body- um my uncle, Oliver. He always says that he’ll read anything and everything so I've been trying to test his limits. And his patience as he so kindly informed after my last purchase.”
Danny grinned “I don’t blame him. That one was called the ‘Sycophant’s Altruistic Decision’, I believe.”
Josephine laughed, “I cannot believe you remembered that. The evidence against me sounds pretty damning when you put it that way, doesn't it?”
“Where are you from?” Daniella interjected yet again as they shared another chuckle. “I noticed the accent. It's not exactly British, is it?”
“No, not exactly. I did my schooling there but I'm Austrian. Have you ever been?”
“Whoa! Really? You don't really look Austrian. No offense.”
“Daniella, shush.” Danny knew his sister was a busybody but this was getting to be too much. Josephine's smile faded slightly at the edges for an instant.
“Ah yes, well the brown skin is a courtesy of my mother's side of the family.”
“Hey buddy, you gonna hug her or what? You're holding up the line” A booming male voice shouted from behind.
“Wait your turn!” Daniella shouted back.
“You've been talking to her for like 5 minutes. It’s a hug, not a damn conference.” The man responded just as loudly.
“Don't make me come back there.” Daniella threatened. Josie and Danny watched it all unfold in shocked amusement.
“So Josie, when do you finish up with this hugging strangers thing?”
“In about forty five minutes. I change places with Aurelia at that point.”
“Good, Danny will meet you at the front of the bookstore then. He's going to ask you out for coffee now. It's been a pleasure to meet you, Josie. We'll see each other again soon. Bye! Hurry up, Danny!”
Josie stared after her, entirely baffled. She turned to Danny with a quizzical look.
“Did I miss something?”
“No, you didn’t. She's bossy like that all the time. I'm so sorry.”
Josie's eyes brightened with understanding. “So... about this coffee invitation?”
Danny sputtered with relief. “Oh my god! You’re actually willing to go out with me? Even after my crazy sister? I swear she won't be there.”
“Well, since you promise... I'm just kidding, she's lovely. She reminds me of my father actually. And yes, I'll meet you in less than hour. After I deal with the hordes, obviously.” She motioned towards the growing line behind him. Danny turned to look.
“Yikes. I'm so sorry again. Do you need me to stay and help? I can hug some of them for you?”
“That’s very kind of you to offer. But I'll be fine. Besides, your sister is waiting for you.”
“Are you sure? Okay. Well, good luck. I'll see you later then?” He asked hopefully.
“Yes, it’s a date.” She smiled wanly at him one last time before stepping around him to the impatient group awaiting her.
“I apologize for the delay everyone! Who wants to cuddle first?” She announced, loudly to the small crowd.