“You didn’t believe my father’s story about an emergency at one of his properties, right?”
The tension evaporated from Sydney’s body, and she let out a horse laugh. “No. Not in a million fucking years.”
Reese’s face grew serious then, and she shifted sideways to look directly at Sydney. “Which would make me assume that he was so infuriated with what I’d said at lunch that he couldn’t stand to keep his composure for the rest of the day.” Her voice was morose, like she hated what she was admitting.
Sydney hadn’t thought of it like that, but Reese had a very genuine point. “It seems likely.”
“Shocking that Grant isn’t the biggest asshole in my family,” Reese bit out, her words sharp.
“What’s the deal there, if you don’t mind me asking?” Sydney said softly, treading as lightly as she could. “Why wouldn’t he be happy about your success?”
It was well and truly a foreign concept to Sydney, a parent who didn’t want the absolute best for their children.
Reese grew contemplative, her lips twitching back and forth before she finally settled on her words. “I’ve always wanted my father’s approval. He’s known that, and no matter what I’ve done or achieved, he couldn’t find the willingness to giveit to me.”
“So everything he said about wanting you to come work at The Devereux Group today?”
“He’ll say whatever he needs to stay on Stan’s good side. I wouldn’t be surprised if he orchestrated the entire engagement between Brynn and Grant at this point.”
That was a sobering thought for Sydney, not that it changed Grant’s undeniable infidelity. But it was a level of malfeasance that was difficult to wrap her mind around.
“I’m sure it’s hard,” she said, “knowing what an amazing woman you are and still having someone like him refuse to celebrate it.”
Reese pulled a face. “What does it all matter if the people around me don’t love and support me? If I’m just moving from one business venture to the next, never feeling like I have a safe place to land?”
Sydney thought maybe this was about more than just family, but she stuck to the topic at hand.
“I don’t think that’s true,” she said, grabbing Reese’s hand from on top of the covers. “Your mom is so proud of you. You can’t fake that.”
And Sydney meant it. Sharon Devereux clearly loved her daughter, and in spite of Tripp’s negative reaction, she’d looked at Reese like she’d never been more proud of her when Reese had made her announcement at lunch.
Except, as Sydney said the words, Reese’s eyes welled up, and large, fat tears immediately streamed down her face. “I haven’t been treating my mom well.”
Sydney couldn’t envision a world where Reese wasn’t good to people, her mom especially. “You lived across the country until a few weeks ago. You’re back, and your relationship seems like it’s in a really positive place, at least from where I sit.”
“She had cancer, and she didn’t tell me,” Reese choked out. “She already had the surgery and everything.”
The words were like a gut punch to Sydney. All she wanted todo was draw Reese close and hold her tight, letting her work the sadness and frustration out of her through the tears that fell.
“Hey, come here. Can I give you a hug?” she asked, not worried about the implications or the confusion that had been running her ragged thirty minutes ago.
“I’m all snotty,” Reese said in a half laugh, half sob as she wiped her hand across her face.
Sydney opened her arms. “I don’t care.”
She waited—and would wait as long as Reese needed—until Reese, with a sniffle and a hiccup, scooted the six inches across the bed to where Sydney lay.
“You don’t have to do this,” Reese said as she continued to soften against Sydney’s frame, her hand coming to rest against Sydney’s stomach.
“I want to do this.” And Sydney meant it. Truly.
They lay there for a minute, Sydney stroking Reese’s temple with her fingertips in a soothing pattern, silent except for an occasional sniffle from Reese.
“When did you find out?”
Reese nuzzled her face against Sydney’s chest, leaving a tear streak across it. “Today before lunch.”
Sydney hugged Reese more tightly against her. “I’m so sorry. I’m so fucking sorry, Reese.”
