“See?” he murmured.
She really liked James.
Her mother chose that moment to walk away from Barbara, in mid-conversation, and sidle next to him. Sydney admitted inwardly they made a nice pair. James had the bluest eyes that just popped against his tanned skin and blue-black hair. Though he had to be in his mid to late fifties, he looked like man in his late forties. No wonder her mother hung on his arm like a limpet.
“What a wonderful party,” Isabel said on a breath.
Sydney wanted to offer her an inhaler, but like James, she wanted to be on her best behavior. Bad enough one Fields was acting like a simpering moron. “Yes. Barbara was reallyniceto invite us.” She emphasized the nice, but Isabel was too busy flirting with James to notice.
Giving up, at least for the moment, Sydney joined Barbara to do some damage control. “Hey Barbara,” she said with forced cheer. “Thanks so much for inviting us. My mom was a surprise. I hadn’t expected her until next week.”
Barbara grinned. And in that smile, Sydney saw Derrick. Genuine, caring and slightly mischievous. “Your mother is a very interesting woman.”
Sydney groaned.
“I mean that in the nicest way.” But the look Barbara shot her mother hanging on James was anything but nice. Interesting. Before Sydney could distract her, Barbara took a deep breath and turned, putting her back to the pair. “The places she’s been, the places she’s going. Did you know she’s modeling next month in St. Croix? And then apparently she’s on to Paris, and from there, Istanbul. Such an exotic lifestyle.”
“Yeah.” Too bad the old girl couldn’t have had a gig in Egypt—tomorrow.
“And to be my age yet still look so young.” As if Barbara herself weren’t stunning. The woman was gorgeous and had a grace that only true happiness and confidence could give a woman. “She must live right.”
“She lives with Botox,” Sydney said bluntly.
Barbara choked on laughter. “Yes, well, it seems to be working. In any case, I wanted to thank you for coming tonight. We haven’t had a chance to really talk, but I can’t tell you how excited I was to hear you’re seeing my son.”
Sydney glanced over her shoulder and saw Derrick frowning at her. When their gazes met, he hurriedly turned back to Dylan and yelled about some moron having the worst passing record in the entire NFL.
God, she really hated football. If it weren’t for those tight pants, she’d never watch the games.
“Ignore him. He’s showing off and keeping Dylan away at the same time. That’s how I know he plans on keeping you around.” Barbara squeezed her arm. “So Hailey tells me you’re a busy woman.”
The discussion turned to Sydney’s business. Then Barbara mentioned a few clients looking to move downtown. Before Sydney knew it, she learned she and Barbara actually had a lot more in common than affection for Derrick. Their fascination with several reality shows, gardening and a love of biographies took up the precious minutes leading to dinner.
Something in the kitchen beeped, and Barbara started. “Goodness. I didn’t mean to talk your ear off. I really need to get dinner ready.”
“I’ll help.” Sydney started to walk with her into the kitchen when Hailey interceded.
“Go mingle. I haven’t had a chance to hang with Barbara all night.”
When Sydney frowned, Hailey mouthedIsabeland followed Barbara into the kitchen.
Sydney looked for her mother but didn’t see her.
“If you’re looking for the sexy barracuda, she went thataway. To the powder room,” Dylan said.
She turned to him and smiled. “Thanks.”
“No, Sydney. Thank you.” He chuckled, but she had no idea why.
Knowing she needed to find her mother before the proverbial shit hit the fan—especially since Isabel had been guzzling wine like it was going out of style—she hurried down the hallway toward the bathroom.
She didn’t see anyone around, so she knocked.
“Out in a minute,” she heard James say.
“Sorry.” So where was her mother? In the bathroom with James, maybe? Then again, he hadn’t seemed like her usual type. He didn’t act like he had money coming out his ass, though he had the looks her mother liked.
Still… Where was Derrick?
