Considering the last man she’d been out with had let some bimbo all but call her a cow, Brian’s attention buoyed her self-esteem. Sydney didn’t have the best track record with men, but she’d never before had issue with her self-confidence. That she’d allowed herself to feel demeaned because she’d wanted so badly to impress Derrick Warren bothered her more than anything.
She’d been born with a wealth of auburn hair that framed her face to perfection, according to several of her past boyfriends. Her blue eyes had been compared to sapphires and her skin to pearls. She had curves she showcased in stylish dresses and designer outfits, as well as jeans that accentuated her toned legs—courtesy of a strenuous workout routine she couldn’t afford to miss unless she wanted afat ass.
Thoughts of Derrick Warren made her see red. For that Neanderthal to let that plastic doll of a blonde insult her… Her temper rose, and she forced herself to stop thinking about him. So what if he was one of the most attractive men she’d ever seen, that her libido went into overdrive whenever she laid eyes on him and that her best friend would soon marry his brother? He was a jerk, a macho headcase who thought he could juggle two women at once.
Screw Derrick Warren. Stalking back into her office, she unmuted her cell phone, conscious she couldn’t ignore her work just because of one man. She deleted the messages he continued to leave on her phone and set her ringer to identify his calls—what she should have done a week ago. The minuteLoserby Beck, played, she’d know it was him.
Satisfied by her clever, if less than mature, response, she returned to work. Houses sure as hell weren’t selling themselves these days.
Derrick Warren stared at his phone in disbelief. “She won’t answer. The damn woman is ignoring me.”
His brother shrugged. “I told you not to take her to Sundance. You knew Brittney and her friends hang there.”
“Gimme a break, Gage. That place serves the best steaks in town. Besides, we’re all adults. How was I to know Brittney Adams would be there that night, or that she’d have a mental breakdown? She never acted like that when we were dating. Hell, she seemed fine when we ended things.”
Gage snorted.
“What?”
“Women never act like that around you. They’re too busy falling at your feet.”
“But that’s part of the Warren charm.” Derrick didn’t understand it. He and Brittney had had fun, nothing serious. She’d taken their breakup six months ago with calm acceptance, mostly. Sure she’d cried and tried to talk him out of it, then thrown a hissy fit when he failed to give into her demands. But a few days later when he’d run into her, she’d been peaches-and-cream nice. So why had she turned into a crying mess with a nasty streak last week? And just when he’d finally had the delectable Sydney Fields to himself.
It had been three long-ass months of phone conversations and a few random meetings with Gage or Hailey—Gage’s fiancée and Sydney’s best friend—always present. Conflicting schedules had played havoc with their social lives, and then like magic, a free Saturday night had appeared on both their calendars. Time for Derrick to get Sydney Fields into his bed. And then Brittany and her rotten timing had fucked up everything.
Gage shook his head. “You’re screwed. Sydney told Hailey all about it. She overheard itall.”
Derrick tried to remember just what Brittney had said. Most of the night was a blur, except the part where Sydney had taken off after dumping his wine in his lap.
Christ. What a mess.
Gage continued, “Your ex wanted to know why you, of all people, had lowered yourself to date a bad dye-job with a fat ass and saggy tits. Then she asked if maybe Sydney was pregnant, because you’re the type to always do the right thing, which apparently made sense to her, because she hated to think you’d lowered your standards all that much. So is she?”
He’d been so concerned Sydney might return from the restroom to see Brittney fawning all over him that he hadn’t paid much attention to her. And then her sudden tears had stunned him to immobility. “Is who what?”
“Is Sydney in thefamily way? Should I tell Mom? You know how much she wants grandkids.”
“You’re not funny, Gage.” Derrick stewed. “Shit. Brittney really said all that?”
“Yep. Hailey told me. She heard it word for word from Sydney.” He paused and shook his head. “I can’t believe you were flirting with Brittney Adams of all people. Why the hell did you agree to a date with Sydney if you still have a thing for Brittney?”
“Damn it, I don’t! I was yessing Brittney to death to get her the hell away from the table before she caused an even bigger scene.”
Gage chuckled. “I hear Sydney did that all on her own.”
“She threw her glass of wine in Brittney’s face, then dumped mine in my lap.” Derrick grimaced. Unfortunately, Sydney had stormed out of the place so fast he hadn’t had a chance to catch her before she’d left. Now she wouldn’t answer his calls. Hailey wasn’t talking to him either. God help him if his mother got wind of what had happened.
“Dylan thinks you intentionally sabotaged yourself,” Gage said, kicking back in his chair.
“What? You told Dylan?” His twin brother knew him pretty well, but when he used his psychiatric degree to overanalyze, he turned downright obnoxious.
“Hell yes, I told him. Wine thrown in your lap by a hot chick at one of the most exclusive restaurants in town? Classic!”
“Fuck you.”
“Back at ya, bro, because you aren’t getting it from the hot redhead.” Gage snickered. “Dylan thinks Sydney threatens you on some level. So when Brittney screwed up your date, you took it in stride.”
“Gage, I’ve been calling the woman all week. She won’t talk to me.”
