Double trouble by Barbara Boswell Page B

got to get back to D.C. tonight. I have a full day of meetings tomorrow, starting with Senator DeCaprio at nine."
    "I was hoping you could stay longer. I Uke having you here, Kayla. It gets lonely, living alone. I'm always very busy, but still..." Her voice trailed off and she shrugged.
    "I know." Kayla gave her a swift, hard hug. "You won't be living alone for much longer, Kristina. Soon you'll be with Boyd."
    "But I'll be in Atlanta," Kristina intoned gloomily. "Do you realize how far that is from D.C, Kayla? It was hard

    enough getting used to us living in separate cities, but at least Washington and Harrisburg are less than two hours apart."
    "Atlanta is only a short flight from D.C./' Kayla reassured her. ''And we'll call each other all the time. Our phone bills will be higher, but right now you work for the independent phone companies, remember? Maybe you can get a lifetime professional discount."
    She smiled, trying to cheer her sister. Kristina had always had difficulty with separations from her twin; it was Kay-la's role to be the strong one and put a positive spin on it. "Anyway, I'll be back here from Sunday through Tuesday to meet with Elena Teslovic and her people. You're going to get sick of seeing me!"
    "Never." Kristina shook her head. "Why don't you come on Friday and spend the weekend? I promise not to arrange to run into Matt Minteer this time."
    "It wouldn't matter if you did. Matt Minteer would tuck tail and run at the sight of me. I'm the embodiment of evil to him."
    Kristina scowled. "Then he's a jerk. And so is his brother Luke. During that so-called accidental meeting yesterday, that I know he deliberately engineered, he kept coming on to me, even though I'd made it clear that I was seriously involved with someone else. Luke Minteer thinks he's God's gift to women. At least Matt isn't like thatr'
    ' 'No, Matt Minteer is on a different ^o trip. He's the Last Honest Politician."
    BCristina rolled her eyes heavenward. "Remember our pledge, Kayla. Work with politicians, work/or them, even fraternize with them when necessary, but don't fall in love with one."
    "Don't worry, I won't."
    "Well, I do worry. I remember how that snake Scott Ceres broke your heart and he's a politician."

    Kay la grimaced. "One of Dillon and Ward's biggest success stories. Put your mind at ease, Kristina. I learned my lesson well on that one."
    ''You're attracted to Matt Minteer," Kristina persisted. ''I know it, Kayla. I can tell."
    "Your infallible instincts have failed you on that one. I like Matt Minteer just about as much as he likes me, which is to say not at all."
    "I didn't say you liked him, I said you were attracted to him, physically. Those are two entirely different things, Kayla."
    "Now you sound Hke Penny. And I can do without a Penny-on-men lecture. Lord knows we heard enough of them growing up. No wonder we're so mixed-up when it comes to men."
    "I'm not mixed-up anymore," Kristina said, her hazel eyes glowing. "I'm sure of Boyd and his love for me. Someday it'll happen for you too, Kayla, you'll see."
    "Is that my cue to sing a few bars of 'Someday My Prince Will Come'?" Kayla gave her sister a gentle shove. "Get going or you'll be late. I'll grab a sandwich here and then be on my way." The sisters hugged.
    "See you on Friday!" they both called as Kristina left the apartment.
    Kayla had taken one bite of her grilled cheese sandwich when the doorbell rang. She frowned, debating whether or not to ignore it and finish her sandwich while it was warm, or answer the door and let it cool and congeal and become inedible. If she were at home, she would've definitely opted to eat and ignore, but since this was Kristina's apartment, Kayla trudged dutifully to the door. She didn't have the right to ignore her sister's caller. It might be an important document being delivered or an invaluable tip from a colleague or—
    Matt Minteer? Kayla stared through the peephole. Her heart began to thud. She couldn't remember being this