13. Katie
13
KATIE
The Savoies’ dining table was filled with delicious food, raucous conversation, warmth, and love.
Mr. Savoie was still at the restaurant, so it was just Mrs. Savoie and the four children. Plus Katie.
Simon’s girlfriend had spent the week with her family in Florida and was expected back in town the next day. Katie had met her a few times. She seemed to push Simon in the same way he mellowed her out. They perfectly balanced each other.
Savannah was single. At the moment. From what Katie understood, Savannah didn’t have plans to tie herself to anyone anytime soon. She was focused on her career as a budding chef and didn’t want to make time for anything but that and her family.
Katie was the only non-Savoie at the table, and she was keenly aware of the fact.
She’d always been comfortable there, surrounded by these people, and they’d made sure she was always welcome. But now Katie felt like maybe she’d been a substitute for Sydney.
When Sydney was in San Diego, there was always a place for Katie. Now she could see how she took up space among the family members.
Literally.
They had to bring out a folding chair to accommodate an extra person. Since it was usually Mr. or Mrs. Savoie at dinner, almost never both, there was always a seat at the table for Katie. But with Sydney at home, there was less room for Katie.
If Sydney moved back home permanently, where did that leave Katie?
“Do you have plans tomorrow night, Katie?”
Katie looked up from her etouffée and locked eyes with Sydney. She’d meant to turn to her left to address Simon’s question, but her gaze never made it past those blue-green eyes she’d been seeing in her head ever since the day they’d spent together.
She’d been avoiding eye contact with Sydney all evening. Katie had let herself take in Sydney’s outfit—tight black jeans and a soft magenta tunic she wanted to run her hands over—but didn’t allow herself to set her gaze on Sydney’s face. She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to look away. And she was right.
“Um, nothing really,” Katie said. Then she forced her voice back up to its perkier natural range. “Probably a hot date with Benjamin.”
The mention of the cat brought a smile to Sydney’s lips, and Katie instantly shifted her gaze to Simon.
Beside her, Stephen scoffed. “Since when? Aren’t you still on the hunt for Mrs. Right?”
He was correct, of course. She was looking for something permanent. But New Year’s Eve wasn’t the time for that. Everyone was enjoying a night out with their someone, enjoying a night out with just their friends, or looking for a hookup.
It would be a waste of time to force herself to go out in that minefield when she really didn’t like being in the middle of crowds, to begin with. And she definitely wouldn’t enjoy the jealous ping she’d feel surrounded by all the couples enjoying their promise of forever.
“You should hang out with us. Lynn and I are having a quiet night at home. Dips and snacks and appetizers. Lots to pick at. It’s her favorite meal of the year.” Simon’s smile reached up to his eyes at the mention of his girlfriend. “Savannah’s working, so it’ll be just us and Stephen. And you. You can even bring Benjamin. And we’ll have Syd too, if she doesn’t have plans.”
Katie held her breath as she waited for Sydney’s response.
And that was it. The realization that settled it all.
If Sydney moved back to New Orleans, it would mean an endless parade of holding her breath until Katie heard whether Sydney would be at some event or gathering. Because this—this night with her and her family—was torture.
“Um, I think Amelia is taking me to a party or something.” Sydney gave what was obviously a forced smile. “You’d have to fight her for me.”
“Boo!” Stephen aimed both thumbs at the ground like a kid. “Guess it’s just me and Katie, then.”
“Appreciate the offer, but I’ll probably stay home with Benjamin.” Even though Sydney would be elsewhere, Katie still didn’t feel comfortable inserting herself. Not anymore. “And if not, Rachel wants me to hang out and watch their band.”
As much as she normally liked sit on the outside of the crowd at her cousin’s gigs, the last thing she wanted to do was be alone in a bar on New Year’s Eve.
But it was the best excuse she had in her pocket.
Mrs. Savoie stood and grabbed her plate. Her graying blond pixie made it apparent that she was the matron of this crew.
“Simon and Stephen, help me clear the table,” she said. “Savannah’s going to get dessert. Hope you all saved room for bread pudding.”
Katie’s stomach ached for that bread pudding, but the realization that she was about to be left alone with Sydney sent her insides into a panic.
“Actually, can I grab Stephen for a second?”
The question was addressed to her mother, but Sydney’s eyes never left Katie. When Mrs. Savoie agreed but made Stephen promise to help her with the rest of the dishes later, Sydney gave Katie a small nod.
This was it.
She was going to tell him everything.
Good. Sydney needed to be honest with her brother. They needed to have this talk. Sydney needed her brother.
This was a good thing. She was happy for Sydney.
But that changed nothing.
Regardless how close they’d become over the last week, even just through texts about Katie’s cat and Sydney’s growing interest in shifting to entertainment finance, Sydney still wasn’t available.
No matter how this conversation with Stephen went—and Katie was convinced it would go well—Sydney needed to explore her new life.
Katie had to get out of her way to do that.
And now, she realized, she had to get out of Sydney’s way with her family, too.