Fi looks very pointedly at the huge diamond on my left hand. Fi got divorced a year ago and feels she has dibs on any man who crosses her path.

She sits up straight and downs the rest of the wine in front of her. “I think you should go and apologize for being so rude. And then I think you should offer to buy him a drink and introduce us.”

“He’s Leah’s friend, Fi.”

“So?” She is not going to buy it. I can see it in the set of her shoulders, the way she is ever so slightly pressing her chest forward and the challenge in her eyes. “Do it for me, Megs.” She pouts. “Unless you want him for yourself—but that feels kind of greedy…” She trails off and her eyes once more are glued to the shining monstrosity on my finger.

So in the end I slide off my seat and head toward him. He whirls round as I tap his shoulder. “Leah!” It is out of his mouth before he can stop himself. “Sorry. It’s just you are so alike. It’s like you’re the same person.” That look crosses his face again.

“I just wanted to apologize.” I tell him, trying to break eye contact. Look away, look away, my lizard brain is screaming, you know better than to look directly at the sun. “If I was rude earlier.”

“It’s OK. It must be weird to have people insist you’re someone else all the time.”

“Can I buy you a drink? My friend would very much like an introduction.”

“I’m flattered, but I’ll pass.” He grins and leans a little closer to me. “I’m kind of into someone. Someone who looks very much like you.”

“Oh.”

“Oh, indeed.”

My face is burning, and I am trying to suppress a smile as I head back to Fi.

“And?” she asks.

“I think he’s got a thing with my sister.”

“So? You hate her guts.”

“Come on. Let’s go to another bar and find someone a bit more available for you to drool over.” I lead her out of the bar, passing Tom’s table once more. He smiles at me and I feel like a giddy teenager again.

A few minutes later, I have Fi safely ensconced with a group of much younger guys, interns from an investment bank down the road who are probably fifteen years younger than she is. She’s the center of attention and loving it. My handbag vibrates. Leah’s phone: Just met your doppelganger, beautiful. Although she’s not as lovely as you. Xx

My fingers linger over the screen. Should I make a comment about “her” twin? It feels weird to write about myself in the third person, but will he think it odd if I don’t? I know I should just put the phone away and forget all about him. But I can’t help myself: Dinner Wednesday? I reply, wondering if this time it won’t only be steak on the menu.

I can’t stop smiling as I get ready for dinner with Tom, trying on a whole pile of different outfits before settling on a semi-structured shift dress in a deep teal. It feels odd to riffle through Leah’s underwear, but I do, and I find a whole drawer of lingerie with the tags on and pull out a coral-pink set. Perfect!