17. Sydney
B rown paint flows over the page until a sleeping bear lies on the once blank paper. One of my favorite moments from today is now captured on paper for eternity.
The zesty scent of oranges fills my nose, drawing my eyes to the kitchen. Reese stands at the island preparing salmon filets for the grill. For such a big guy, he moves with such ease; the knife sliding effortlessly through each piece of fish.
I love sitting in his kitchen when I sketch. One, the natural light is amazing here. And two, my chances of having a run in with my Grumpy Bear are highest in this room. Everyone’s gotta eat, especially a man as large as Reese.
“You know, I could have cooked.” At the sound of my voice, his dark eyes flick to where I sit at the kitchen table, art supplies chaotically spread all around me. The corner of his mouth pulls into a small smile.
“Angel, you’ve been cooking for me most nights since you got here. Let me return the favor. You can set the table for me, though.”
Right then and there, I melt into a puddle of goo at the sincerity in his deep voice. He wants to cook for me. Since leaving home, I haven’t had anyone to take care of me. I think I could get used to having a mate who dotes on me.
“What are you making?” I ask, coming to stand on the opposite side of the island from him. I want to be close, but not in the way. My hands wrap around the stack of plates he has on the counter.
Reese pulls out a large wooden bowl, dumping a mountain of freshly washed spinach into it. “Grilled orange salmon on a spinach salad.”
“Mmm, I’m already drooling.”
Fire flickers in his eyes as they lock on my lips. Pinching the bottom one between my teeth, I preen under his dark gaze.
Before things can go any further, my boss’ ringtone cuts the sexual tension between us.
“I should get that.” Hooking a thumb over my shoulder, I release my grip on the plates and snatch my phone from the table, escaping to the living room for some privacy.
Swiping my finger across the screen, I hold the phone to my ear. “Hey, Roger.” As much as I don’t want to talk to him, I add the usual perky pep in my voice.
“Sydney. How’s your time off been?” His voice is raspy and rough due to years of chain-smoking cigarettes.
“It’s been amazing. I’m visiting with my sister and her boyfriend for—”
“That’s great. Listen, the diner is set to open next week. I wanted to make sure my best gal would be back in time.” A phlegm filled cough greets my ears. I hold back a gag—so gross .
“Uh—” My mind races. I’ve been so caught up in my art and Reese the last few weeks that any thoughts of going back to the city have slipped my mind.
“We need you here, Sydney. I promise I’ll get you some help when we open back up. I already have three interviews lined up.”
My stomach rolls and clenches at the thought of being away from Reese. Ever since he told me we’re mates, I’ve felt physically ill when we aren’t together. Granted, it’s only been a day.
“Sydney, you still there?”
“Yeah, sorry.” I need to talk to Wren stat!
“Well, I can count on you, right?”
Blood whooshes through my ears and a cold sweat breaks out across my skin. I’ve always been a people pleaser and I hate disappointing anyone. It’s why I’ve been stuck at the diner for so long. When I started as a waitress in high school, things weren’t so bad. I could take days off without feeling guilty.
Over the years, employees have left and Roger is shit at hiring new staff, so the place is always understaffed and I’m left to pick up the slack.
“I’ll make sure that raise finally goes through when you get back. You’ll be making supervisor pay once we get things up and running again. I mean it this time, kid. It won’t be like last time. I promise.”
Roger has been promising me a raise for over a year now. The extra money would be good, but is it worth all the time I spend there? I could be here . With my soulmate…
My body is being pulled in two different directions at once, and I don’t know how long until I’ll snap .
Things are moving quickly with Reese, but he hasn’t mentioned claiming me yet. Can I give up everything in the city and stay here without knowing he’s fully committed? I need his claiming bite on me before I can be all in.
“I’ll be there,” I squeak without thinking. Guilt immediately swirls in my stomach. Shit, I’m calling an emergency sister session with Wren ASAP.
“Knew I could count on you, kiddo.”
I must make some kind of sound of agreement because Roger hangs up and I’m left with the sound of dead air whistling in my ear.
Did I just make a huge mistake?
“ S o, how are things going?” Wren asks. Her smile is so smug I hope her teeth break.
Narrowing my eyes at her, I push the food around on my plate. “Fine.”
My earlier conversation with my boss replays in my head and my stomach twists in knots. The thought of being away from this place—and Reese—makes me want to vomit.
The smile on Wren’s face only grows, her eyes flicking between Reese and me, sitting side by side at the dining room table. She knows more than she’s letting on, that much is obvious .
Reese’s fork clatters to his plate, filling the growing awkward silence in the room. His giant hand latches onto my thigh and squeezes.
“Sydney is my mate,” he declares. Leaning closer, he speaks directly into my ear. “Like ripping a Band-Aid off,” he assures me quietly, giving my thigh another gentle squeeze. His deep voice alone loosens some of the tension in my gut.
A high-pitched squeal bursts from across the table. “I knew it! This is perfect! Now you can stay!” Shimmering blue eyes lock with mine as Wren bounces in her seat.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I plaster on my best smile. No matter what I decide, I’ll be letting someone down.
“How did you know?” Reese asks.
“Kier told me.”
Reese glares daggers across the table at Kiernan, who simply shrugs before shoveling a heaping forkful of food in his mouth.
“What?” He mumbles with a full mouth. He seems to be the only one really enjoying the meal. “I don’t keep things from my mate.” He flashes a smirk at Wren, a fierce blush coating her cheeks. Ugh, they’re so sweet, I’m getting cavities.
“You guys haven’t killed each other yet, so that must be a good sign.” Kiernan points his fork at Reese, then me.
Eyes dropping to my plate, the guilt of my earlier phone conversation starts to churn in my stomach again. Suddenly, the delicious food Reese prepared turns to ash in my mouth.
“It’s only been a day,” Reese shrugs, pulling his hand from my thigh. I instantly miss the comfort and safety his simple touch provides .
“Does this mean you’re staying?” Wren’s eyes shine with hope.
My mouth drops open, but the words won’t come out. Clearing my throat, I manage to speak. “I-I’m not sure yet. I have some loose ends to tie up in the city. I don’t know if I can drop everything and move to the middle of nowhere.” As soon as the words leave my lips, I wish I could take them back. Next to me, Reese’s body deflates, his eyes dropping to his lap.
The rest of dinner passes in uncomfortable conversation, everyone tip-toeing around the elephant in the room—Reese and my inability to commit to one another. Thankfully, my sister can talk a mile a minute when she’s around people she’s comfortable with. The lyrical flutter of her voice soothes my nerves enough to swallow down a few more bites of food.
“Wren and I can do the dishes since Reese cooked,” I announce once everyone has cleared their plates. Locking eyes with Wren, I hope she gets the hint that I need her advice… in private.
Clearing her throat, she stands from the table, gathering dishes. “Um, right. Kier Bear, didn’t you want to get your bear out for a run before dark?” She widens her eyes at him, tipping her head in Reese’s direction.
Sudden realization flits across his face as his brows shoot up. “Right. Reese, let’s go for a quick run. Maybe catch a deer?”
With a stiff nod, Reese follows Kiernan out the back door. Dark eyes filled with melancholy search my face before the door closes behind him .
When I join Wren at the kitchen sink, she already has half the dishes rinsed and in the dishwasher. Spinning to face me, she tosses a dish towel at me. “Alright, bitch. Spill!”
“I think I fucked up, Wren.”
“Why do you say that? What happened?”
“Roger called today—”
“Ugh, not Roger. What did Old Smokey want?” She mimics his raspy voice, adding a fake cough for effect.
Throwing the towel back at her, I let a giggle slip out before sobering. “He wanted to know if I was coming back. The diner opens in a week.”
“And you told him ‘no’, right?” She waves her hand at me expectantly. “Right?”
“Well, you see—”
“Sydney, you told him you’d come back?” Her expression drops in disappointment, my heart dropping with it. Not only have I disappointed Reese, I’ve disappointed my sister, the one person who’s always been there for me.
“I don’t know what to do, Wren. Reese says we’re mates, but he hasn’t marked me like Kiernan did with you. And I have a whole life in Minneapolis. Am I supposed to drop everything when Reese might change his mind? What if he never seals the deal?”
Wrapping an arm around my shoulders, Wren pulls me in for a hug. Burying my face in her neck, I let her familiar scent wash over me. “Let’s take it one thing at a time, okay?” Looking up into her blue eyes, a mirror image of mine, I sniffle and nod.
“What’s really keeping you in the city? You’ve said before the diner is a dead-end job. Roger has been taking advantage of you for years, Sydney. He needs to promote you to manager or hire someone else.”
Needing something to keep my hands busy, I start loading the remaining dishes into the dishwasher. “I know you’re right, but I’m scared to disappoint him. I’ve been there for so long. What if I leave and the place falls apart?”
“Syd. That’s not your problem to worry about. Roger is the owner. He’ll figure it out. You can’t make everyone happy all the time, especially at your own expense. You deserve happiness. And clearly you’re not happy at the diner or in the city.” Taking the sponge from the counter, she begins to scrub a pan in the sink.
“Okay, so let’s say I do quit my job. I can’t uproot my whole life for Reese. Can I?” The thought is appealing.
“First of all, I’m here, so it wouldn’t only be for Reese.” She winks. “And Reese isn’t some random guy. He’s your freakin’ fated mate. Like, chosen by fate. It’s kind of a big deal.”
“Fine. I have felt a little bit like everyone abandoned me. Mom and Dad moved to Florida. You found Kiernan and moved here. All of my highschool friends have moved on to college and careers, leaving me in the dust.”
“I’m sorry, Syd. I didn’t know you felt like that.” She sniffles, but won’t meet my eyes.
“I was really lonely after you left, Wren. But I know you’re happy here.” I run a hand down her back. “Come on, the dishes can wait.”
Once we’re settled on the couch, Wren rests her head on my shoulder. “Maybe Reese being your mate happened at the right time. ”
I hum. “Maybe. I have been lost for a while, my life taken over by the diner. Since being here, my art has flourished. I’m painting and sketching every day. There’s so much inspiration here. This could be the fresh start I need. Only one problem.”
Wren’s head tips up, her eyes lock on mine. “What’s that?”
“Reese hasn’t asked me to stay. We’ve essentially just started dating. We’ll have a really good moment where he opens up, but he’ll build his walls back up a second later. It’s like he’s still fighting the bond.” Clutching Wren’s hand in mine, I take comfort in her presence. One thing’s for sure, I need my sister in my life.
“You have a week until Roger expects you back in the city?”
I nod.
“Then give Reese the week. Let him ‘date’ you, hopefully woo you. If he doesn’t claim you by the end of the week, then you have your answer.”
A pit lodges deep in my stomach. I know he wants me—our chemistry has made that clear. But what if he pushes me away because he can’t get over his own fears? What if he abandons me like everyone else I’ve ever cared about?
K iernan and Reese return a short while later. Wren is about to fall asleep on the couch, so she and Kiernan call it a night.
“Time for bed, Angel.” A wall of heat radiates against my back as I shut the front door, flipping the lock in place.
Nodding, I place my hand in his, letting him lead me up the stairs. Confusion burrows into me when we come to a stop at my bedroom. A deep chuckle pulls my eyes to Reese. “I want to do this right, okay? Slow things down a bit.”
“Oh, um, okay.” Is he building walls around his heart again? Wringing my hands in front of me, I search his eyes. None of the sadness from earlier remains, only a low simmering heat.
Clutching my hands, he brings them to his lips, placing a feather soft kiss on each knuckle. “Go on a date with me tomorrow night.”
It’s not a question, but almost a demand. A small smile tips the corners of my mouth at his confidence.
“Wasn’t today a date?”
“No. That was a hike. This’ll be different. Put on a nice dress and be ready at seven. Let me show you what it would be like if you stay.”
“Okay,” I whisper, looking up into those dark, endless eyes I’m starting to fall in love with. So deep and soulful.
“Good night, Angel.” His mouth tips into the briefest lopsided smirk. These small glimpses of a past Reese, a happy Reese, are my undoing. He’s so gorgeous when he smiles, his entire face lighting up. Leaning in, his lips land gently on my forehead.
Eyes fluttering closed, I release a shaky breath. “Good night, Grumpy Bear.”
A deep chuckle wafts back down the hall as Reese heads to his room. At the last moment, he turns to look at me before slipping inside the dark bedroom. Black eyes burn into mine. Fuck, I’m falling in love with this tender side of Reese Moore.
Please don’t let this be too good to be true.