Chapter 6
Six
“I feel like this could be going a lot worse,” Sydney said, leaning down the few inches that it took to whisper in Reese’s ear.
Reese tilted her chin up, appreciating the cadence of Sydney’s voice, how her eyes sparkled with mischief once they were alone.
They’d survived another twenty minutes in the small group before excusing themselves to refill their drinks.
Sydney had been asked inane questions about professional tennis along with stupidly personal ones about her injury and retirement from the tour, but she’d handled it all gracefully, her touch never straying from Reese’s back as she fielded the questions like she was attending a post-match press conference.
“Grant and I were both told to behave today,” Reese admitted as they grabbed two glasses of champagne from a waiter passing by.
They stopped by a side entrance to the house, and Sydney leaned back against the stone that cut across the home’s ground-floor exterior.
Her brow lifted before she took a small sip of her drink. “Really?”
Reese nodded. “Dinner last night was eventful. I’m not sure whether Grant was more upset at the possibility of his engagement being overshadowed or because I’m dating you, but I didn’t exactly do my best to quell his concerns.”
“Atta girl.” Sydney extended her drink to toast Reese.
Reese met her in the middle, the soft clink of their glasses audible in the privacy of the alcove.
It was a moment of quiet, and Reese relished it until Sydney’s smile dipped. “It almost seemed like Brynn didn’t know? About the cheating at least. Did you get that sense?”
Reese considered the question, shooting a glance to the patio area to make sure no one was eavesdropping.
“Unless she’s a psychopath, I don’t think she’d have been able to tell that story about the two of them meeting at a hotel event two years ago without giving something away.
It’s one thing to tell a lie. It’s another to tell it directly to the face of the person who knows it’s a lie. ”
“You’re probably right.”
Lifting an eyebrow, Reese caught Sydney’s gaze again. “Are you trying to talk yourself out of your own theory when I’m agreeing with you?”
Sydney ignored the question. “I guess it’s better that he wasn’t just trolling dating apps.”
“So because it wasn’t premeditated, the damage he inflicted doesn’t mean as much?
And I don’t know if I’m in agreement about the dating app thing.
I think he has it in him.” Reese wasn’t going to give her brother an inch right now, even if Sydney’s conviction, for whatever reason, was wavering.
“Either way, he started an entirely separate relationship with someone while you two were planning a future together.”
“I just…” Sydney’s words faltered before she found them again. “It seemed like Brynn really doesn’t know, and that makes me feel badly for her.”
It was impressive that even within their current situation, Sydney could maintain this level of empathy for Brynn. It was a virtue that Reese didn’t know if she herself possessed.
She placed a gentle hand on Sydney’s forearm.
“I know what you mean, but I don’t know if you or I are the best people to make waves.
I agree with you, though; Brynn seems sweet.
Definitely too good for my brother.” She realized her misstep when Sydney arched a brow.
“You were also too good for my brother, clearly. I thought that was already implied.”
“Damn, right,” Sydney said, her face a little flushed from the champagne and the warmth of the summer day.
Reese watched as Sydney took a few deep breaths, seemingly allowing the stress of the last thirty minutes and the new information they’d discovered to settle in.
Despite the fact that they were surrounded by at least three dozen people now, the moment felt intimate.
It felt good to be on the same team as someone again, to anticipate one another’s moves. She hadn’t had anything close to it since Megan, and even then, as she looked back on their relationship, things had been strained for years.
She could acknowledge that now.
They’d settled into their sides of the company, their lives revolving more around their business partnership than their relationship as lovers.
But Reese had been happy. Building their product. Supporting one another. Sharing the same goal.
It had been safe, if not exhilarating.
Comfortable .
Sydney King seemed like the opposite of everything in Reese’s sterile life.
She was surprising in the best ways, headstrong and full of possibilities, like a match just waiting to be struck.
Reese had never been the type of person to play with fire, but she’d found herself in a controlled burn, the parameters of their situation clearly laid out between them. They’d play at affection and infatuation, with no real risk to Reese’s heart.
Reese would have someone to help her not lose her mind during what was to become a full docket of Devereux family events this summer while she focused on settling in at The Stone’s Throw.
In turn, Sydney would get her answers. She would find a way to make sense of the awful things Grant had done to her.
And if Reese had her brother pegged accurately—which she knew she did—Sydney would realize that Grant was good at putting on a show but was too selfish and indulgent to ever give enough of himself to be a truly good partner.
Once Sydney accepted that she had never been the problem, she’d stop hiding in Stoneport and get back to living a life that was full enough for her vibrance.
Reese loved a good plan, and as long as she remembered what this was, there was no risk involved.
But remembering the plan grew more difficult as she looked down at Sydney’s long legs, one of them bent up against the wall. “Is your knee okay?”
Sydney nodded and stretched her right leg out, balancing on her left heel. The long, lean muscles popped against her skin.
It took an embarrassing amount of effort for Reese to pull her gaze away.
Pushing herself fluidly off the wall, Sydney stood up straight.
It brought them closer, and Reese sucked in her breath like it would stop their dresses from touching.
She was already anticipating the little jolt before it happened.
“One-hundred-percent fine, at least for frolicking among the New England elite.”
She had no problem admitting that Sydney was attractive. Especially when she was being playful, her lips eased into a teasing grin.
It was infectious.
Reese met her stare, her body trembling in anticipation. “Good. I’d hate to have to carry you out of here, even though it would make for a good story.”
Sydney placed her hand on Reese’s shoulder, pretending like she was going to jump into her arms.
The warmth of Sydney’s touch was immediate. Reese could feel its imprint soaking through to her skin, the small hairs on the back of her neck standing up like she was electrified.
Control the burn .
“Thank you, by the way,” Sydney said, her green eyes intent and searching, “for going along with this.”
“Are you finding what you’re looking for?” Reese held her breath.
She watched Sydney bite at the bottom of her lip, gently tugging it between her teeth. “I thought I wanted answers, but now I think I’m just trying to find my way back.”
Reese reached up and placed her hand over Sydney’s, allowing herself to indulge in how good the weight felt on her shoulder. “You will. I promise.”
And then Sydney decided to throw a piece of kindling on Reese’s fire by licking her lips, their faces now inches apart.
Reese took a deep breath, trying to steel her fluttering stomach, wondering if this was how wildfires burned down entire forests—a single ember with no real intention of causing mayhem engulfing everything in its path.
“Reese! There you are.”
Her mother came into sight just as Sydney’s free hand reached around to rest on Reese’s hip, further igniting the heat in Reese’s veins.
They both jumped at the intrusion, like they’d been caught doing something wrong.
What they had been caught doing, Reese didn’t want to think about.
“Just taking a minute, Mom,” Reese answered quickly, shaking the hazy, foggy feeling that had settled through her limbs.
“Your father wants to introduce you to the Fitzpatrick family.”
And he needed you to come fetch us like his assistant ? Reese resisted saying the words out loud, though her father was quickly dropping in her favor for a number of reasons.
But the interruption was good .
Necessary.
Attraction was one thing, but she and Sydney didn’t need the added complication of acting on anything.
Sydney shrugged, dropping her hands down to her sides.
Reese could feel the last wisps of whatever had been happening floating away on the gentle breeze.
As she moved to follow her mom, she almost tripped when Sydney’s fingers interlaced with her own.
“You’ve got this,” Sydney said quietly, placing the hand holding her champagne glass against Reese’s back to steady her. They made their way over to where two people, presumably Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick, stood, along with Brynn, Grant, and Reese’s father.
“Ah, yes,” her dad said loudly, ushering them into the circle. “This is my daughter, Reese, and her girlfriend, Sydney.”
“Wonderful to meet you both. I’m Margie,” Brynn’s mom said as she moved in decisively for a hug.
Margie Fitzpatrick immediately felt more motherly to Reese than most of the women she’d grown up with. Her shorter stature and fuller figure gave her a soft look, her eyes and smile battling for brightness against her vibrantly orange-and-blue dress.
Reese stiffened at the unexpected affection, but she quickly accepted what was actually a really good hug. Margie even went for a quick rub on her back before releasing her.
Sydney was given the same treatment, though she smiled and hammed it up, giving back the affection just as good as she got.