One of the reasons she accepted the invitation tonight was that she knew Warrick would be distracted, and she wanted to sneak into her room to grab a few things. The other reason was hoping that showing up would get him to back off and stop making things difficult for us.
"Sydney said she would go with me and create a distraction if my dad happened to come inside while I was there, but I cantell she had reservations about it, so I didn't bring it back up. She's been acting strange for a few months now. Ever since she went back to school to get a master's degree, she's been different. At first, I thought it was just the stress of going back. This time, she's up there alone since Laney and I are done with school, but now I don't know… In some ways, it feels like we are drifting apart."
My heart rate kicks up a notch as I try to swallow my own theories—ones that don't do anyone any good. Around us, the party continues, but it all feels distant, like we're caught in our own pocket of tension.
"We don't have to stay," I murmur against her hair. "I already told you I'm not worried about your father. We can leave right now."
"No." She shakes her head, determination settling into her voice even as her fingers tremble against my forearm. "We're both here. What Sydney said pissed me off because some part of me knows she's right, even if it's only partially. You can't fix your problems by avoiding them. I need to talk to my dad."
She turns in my arms, rising up on her toes. Her lips brush mine. "But another drink would do wonders for my nerves."
"Whatever you want," I promise, meaning it down to my bones. Then I catch her chin, tilting her face up to mine. "But it's going to cost you first."
I cover her mouth with mine, and everything else falls away. She kisses me back like she's drowning and I'm air. Like every word Sydney said, every game her father's playing, every doubt creeping into her mind…none of it matters as long as we have this. As long as we have each other.
When I finally pull back, we're both breathing hard. Her eyes are glassy, and there's a vulnerability in her expression that guts me. But there's something else too—a fierceness, a determination that wasn't there before.
"I love you," she whispers.
My thumb traces over her bottom lip. "I love you too." I nod toward the bar. "I'll be right back."
When I reach the bar, I step up next to London, who's still waiting for his drinks, one hand drumming against the bar top. I use this moment alone to ask the question that's been burning in my chest all night.
"Do you remember coming to this party last year?"
His eyes narrow, head tilting slightly before the corners of his mouth curl up. "How could I forget?"
I can't contain the grin that takes over my face at the memory. I know exactly what he's remembering.
"I'm not talking about you crawling under the table to win back Laney…" I pause, biting my lip as heat creeps up my neck. "Actually, I am."
His eyes narrow to slits.
"I know you were a little occupied," I continue, leaning one elbow on the bar, "but do you remember the conversation I was having with her while you were down there…" I draw off as another guest slides up on my left.
"You're going to need to be a little more specific." He shifts his weight, crossing his arms. "You were doing a bang-up job of sabotaging me that night."
Cheers erupt behind us as one of Fairfield's horses comes on the screen. I wait for them to drop before leaning in.
"The part about Sydney," I say, lowering my voice. "What I said about her disappearing act. How she and Warrick seem to vanish at the same time."
He visibly pulls in a deep breath, shoulders tensing. The topic is clearly touchy for him too. His wife has been friends with Sydney even longer than Asha. When he exhales, it's slow and measured. "I've noticed things, yes." He rubs the back of hisneck. "But I don't know if I notice them because they're actually there, or because you pointed it out and now I can't unsee it."
"What the hell does that even mean?"
"It means I haven't witnessed anything firsthand." He spreads his hands. "I haven't seen anything with my own eyes, but I notice things. Little things." He pauses, glancing toward the yard where laughter spills from the sitting area. "After you and Asha eloped at my reception and then took off, there were two other guests who disappeared right after. Initially, I thought maybe Syd went with you, but when Warrick didn't come back inside either…"
He lets the sentence hang in the humid night air, leaving me to fill in the blanks.
"Has Laney ever mentioned anything?"
"We talked about it last year after you inferred something was going on." He frustratedly shakes his head. "To my knowledge, Laney hasn't flat-out asked her, and I don't think she will."
The bartender returns and slides two glasses across the bar. London picks them up, condensation already dripping down the sides, and turns to face me fully.
"Look…" His tone is serious. "I've known Sydney my whole life. Her brother is my best friend. She's loyal as fuck, and the people she loves, she loves hard. Asha is one of those people." His eyes lock on mine, unflinching. "The last thing she would ever do is hurt her."
"That doesn't answer my question." My voice comes out firmer than I intended.
