“There haven’t been any, not in two weeks.” She was convinced the man no longer liked her. Except he kept showing up to hang out. He’d unfortunately taken her to heart when she said she wanted to remain friends. Friends? She wanted him to screw her brains out, to take control and show her how it felt to be a woman possessed, the way he had before. She’d never had man satisfy her like that, had never trusted one enough to let go. Not the way she trusted Derrick.
But if she had to tell him, then he wasn’t the man for her. No matter how much she actually…likedhim.
Hailey blinked. “Seriously? But that’s all you and your boyfriends ever do. Bonk each other.”
“That’sboinkeach other, you dumb blonde.”
“Hey.”
“Oh, go stuff yourself. You’re happy and engaged. I’m not getting laid and falling for a handsome guy I should have nothing to do with. We’re not even having sex and I like him. With my luck, he’ll break my heart and I’ll turn into my mother, who’s visiting next week by the way.”
“Oh man. What rotten timing.” Hailey cringed. “Want me to run interference?”
“Nah. That’s not fair to you. But thanks for asking.” Sydney had long ago resolved herself to loving but not liking her mother. She could never forgive Isabel Fields for putting her last, and oddly enough, she was okay with that. Especially since her mother had never asked for forgiveness.
Every year or so, Isabel would show up, need some Mommy-time—which equated to showing off how terrific she looked. No one ever believed Isabel had a thirty-year-old daughter. They looked more like sisters. The woman was a knockout, and she used her looks to her advantage.
Sydney tolerated her visits, mostly because she felt duty-bound to see her mother. Isabel hadn’t been abusive; she had provided Sydney with the essentials during her younger years. Besides, Isabel never stayed long, not if she had a man in her life. The woman clung to men like ivy to crumbling brick. Once the relationship died, as they always did, she reseeded herself and found a new man to leech off of.
Hailey popped her in the arm.
“Hey!”
“Stop ignoring me. Listen. I know you don’t believe me, but Derrick’s different than the other guys you’ve dated. Not just because he’s Gage’s brother. He’s a genuine person. Sure, his track record with women is spotty, but it’s a mirror image of yours with men.”
“And now she insults me.”
“Well, it’s true. You look at every guy you date like he’s one of your pastuncles. Not only is that creepy, but none of the guys ever made you happy.” Hailey stared at her with those big eyes. “You’re not your mother, Sydney. And it’s time you realized that.”
Sydney sat up straight. “You think that’s what I’ve been doing all these years? Thinking I’m her?”
“Aren’t you? Unlike her, you don’t try to convince yourself you love any of them. You just use them for sex. But not one guy you’ve ever dated has been what I’d call nice.”
“Maybe I like bad boys.” Derrick definitely had a naughty side to him. Or at least, he used to have one.
“Can you honestly tell me you’ve ever liked anyone you’ve dated?”
“Sure. There was—”
“That you slept with,” Hailey clarified.
To her mortification, Sydney couldn’t. Not until Derrick, except he wasn’t sleeping with her anymore. Her eyes filled. “Oh my God. I’m exactly like her. I’m Isabel Fields!” Her worst fear come true.
Hailey rushed to her side and hugged her. “Stop it. You are not.”
“But Hailey, I’m a user. I’m terrible.” She hadn’t meant to treat her boyfriends like crap. But so many of them had deserved it. Maybe because she’d intentionally picked assholes?
“You’re not a user, you’re not your mother—God forbid—and you’re growing out of it.”
“Growing how? My ass? My thighs? What? Where? You think I’m gaining weight?” she joked, trying to stop feeling sorry for herself.
Hailey snorted with laughter. “You’re the vainest woman I know. Would you shut up a minute? You’re not fat. Come to think of it, you feel thinner to me.”
She groaned. “I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I think about that jerk all the time.”
“Who?”
“Derrick, Hailey. Focus, would you?”
