12. Sydney
12
SYDNEY
The rich aroma of roux mixed with fragrant onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic floated from the kitchen into the adjoining living room where Sydney and her brother, Simon, sat on the couch, catching up on each other’s lives.
It wasn’t often that she got alone time with him. They were usually surrounded by the rest of the family, or Simon was late because of practice at a local high school. He coached just about every sport available, and the school was glad to have their former star athlete turned standout college quarterback home to be part of helping other kids reach success.
“You and Amelia have big plans for tomorrow night?” Simon ran a hand through his shaggy blond hair—it was always in need of a trim—and smoothed it back. A smirk settled onto his tanned face. “You two must be up to no good. Like the old days?”
“Something like that.” She bumped her knee against his. “What about you? I hear there’s going to be a Mrs. Simon pretty soon.”
A flush hit his cheeks. “Not yet, but we’re getting there. We’ve talked about it, and she wants to finish getting her PhD first.”
“Psychology, right?”
Simon nodded. “She wants to be a child psychologist.”
“Right. I remember now.” She smiled at her brother. “I’m really happy for you. And I love that you both want to help kids. In different ways, but still. That’s a nice thing you have in common.”
A ping of tension hit Sydney’s stomach at the mention of commonalities. It reminded her how much differences seemed to matter to Katie.
They had plenty of reasons that a relationship between them was a bad idea, despite the dozens of text conversations they’d shared over the last several days. Sydney couldn’t jump into a serious relationship with the first woman she was intimate with, even if it was just a kiss, and Katie wasn’t into being with someone who hadn’t tested out her sexuality and was ready for a commitment.
It was a matter of bad timing for both of them.
But even if the timing had been good, Sydney wondered if their lack of common interests would be a deal-breaker for Katie, anyway.
“Yeah, we both love kids,” Simon said. “We’re thinking we both want to grow our own family pretty early on.”
Sydney’s heart warmed as thoughts of compatibility with Katie floated from her mind. “I can’t wait to be called Aunt Syd.”
It was Simon’s turn to bump against her knee. “You’ll have to visit more often to hear that.”
The comment was a throwaway one, but it held so much more meaning to Sydney. Especially now that she was fairly certain of her decision.
“Can I tell you something?”
As close as she and Stephen were, Simon had always been her rock. Her guiding older brother. He looked like a carefree surfer, but underneath that was a wise, caring old soul.
Simon narrowed his eyes. “Maybe. Depends how long I have to keep quiet about whatever this is.”
“Not long,” she promised him. “I just want to be the one to tell everyone. So I’m practicing on you.”
“Okay, then. Go ahead.”
Sydney took a deep breath. “I’m thinking about moving back. Here. To New Orleans.”
“Oh my gosh, Syd. That’s great!” He looked around, but Savannah and their mother were still in the kitchen. “Is this a decided thing, or are you really just thinking about it?”
“I’m 95% sure I want to.” She was more like 99% sure, but she wanted to leave herself more wiggle room in her brother’s mind. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s great, obviously. But I’m biased.” He grinned and nodded at her. “We’d all love to have you back here. But what brought this about? Is this because of the divorce?”
“Nope. Not a factor at all,” she said. “I mean, yes, it’s an easier decision without having to factor in his opinion, but it’s been something I’ve been considering for a while. Being here is reminding me of all the reasons why I was being pulled home.”
“I don’t want to push you, but you know everyone in this house would be thrilled to have you back.”
As if on cue, the front door opened and Stephen’s voice rang out from the foyer. “Everyone’s favorite son is here!”
Sydney’s stomach did flips as she waited for the inevitable announcement to follow.
“And I’ve got Katie with me!”
Sydney had known this moment was coming. She knew Katie couldn’t get out of the invitation even if she’d wanted to. And she could tell by the greetings and her mom and Savannah rushing out of the kitchen that everyone wanted Katie to be there.
Almost as much as Sydney wanted her there.
But her family’s greeting reminded Sydney of why dating Katie would be a terrible idea. In Sydney’s absence, Katie had become part of this family. It was nice to watch everyone hugging her and thrilled to see her. It was so heartwarming, in fact, that Sydney’s thoughts jumped to the worst-case scenario.
What if she and Katie did get together? Maybe not now, but maybe down the road?
What would happen then if it didn’t work out? If Sydney was back home and she and Katie dated and then broke up, how awful would these holidays feel?
Worse.
Would Katie feel unwelcome in the Savoie house?
Sydney couldn’t be part of a rift like that.
Just another reason dating Katie at any point was a bad idea.
The question was if she could convince her heart this was a bad idea.
She turned to see Katie removing her black leather jacket, revealing a long-sleeved teal T-shirt and boot cut jeans that looked comfortable but still hugged her curves in all the right ways. Her hair was loose today, and she anxiously brushed it away with both hands as the Savoies rushed to greet her.
Sydney gave her an awkward wave from across the room as the family crowd increased their perimeter, giving Katie some space. Katie waved back, a small, hesitant gesture, accompanied by an even more hesitant smile.
Her mom aimed a dishcloth at Sydney. “Come help me and Savannah in the kitchen. I need a potato peeler.”
Her sister, Savannah, unwrapped the drooping bun of long blonde hair and re-wrapped it tighter on top of her head. She had always been their mom’s right-hand helper in the kitchen since they were kids, so it had been no surprise to anyone when she went off to culinary school. Like all the siblings, she also felt the pull back home and got a job in a fine dining place in Midtown.
“I told her we don’t need etouffée and potato salad and French bread,” Savannah said. “But you know she won’t listen to me.”
“Of course we do,” their mom said. “And now that I’ve got Sydney in the kitchen with us, I’m going to put you on dessert.”
“Aye, aye, captain,” Savannah said with a curt salute.
Sydney glanced over her shoulder at Katie being led onto the couch where Sydney had been sitting just moments ago, being pulled into a conversation with Simon and Stephen.
It felt so natural to see Katie in her family's home. And she supposed it had become a normal thing while she was off in San Diego. It was just shocking to see how homey the entire scene was. How much her family welcomed Katie as one of their own.
They’d been texting each other all week, but somehow Sydney had been able to pretend they were the only ones who had to know about the cute little messages they were sending back and forth. Flirty texts, even.
But now she had to face the reality. Katie was as much a part of this family as any of the siblings.
Sydney had been right.
Dating Katie would be a terrible idea, indeed.