The Love Lie

Thirteen

Sydney had been practically skipping through the house since she’d returned to Florida on Friday morning. Unfortunately, the skipping wasn’t easily hidden, and it was starting to lead to questions.

She bounced down the staircase before heading through the hallway and depositing herself in a seat at the kitchen island. By the time she’d hit the first floor, she’d tried to slow her steps, making sure her pace was leisurely and didn’t earn her any more raised eyebrows.

“You used to bounce through the house like that after you’d won a match,” her mom said from where she stood at the stove, stirring a pot of something that smelled delicious.