She felt Reese stiffen next to her, thankful she didn’t unclasp their hands. “They’re grown men, Mom. Their inability to deal with their feelings shouldn’t be your problem.”
“It’s a party, darling. I’m just trying to make sure that everyone has a great time,” Sharon said diplomatically, a smile that almost seemed sincere on her face. She placed a hand on Reese’s shoulder and gave her an affectionate squeeze.
“This is Dad’s party, too,” Reese pushed, taking a small step forward.
Sydney stayed quiet, wondering if they were headed into dangerous territory. She knew how Reese felt about her father, but she didn’t quite know how Sharon felt about her husband.
Honestly, she didn’t know very much about Sharon Devereux, now that she was thinking about it. As far as Sydney’s relationship with the Devereux family had gone when she’d dated Grant, Sharon had been, even if it pained Sydney to remember, out of respect for Sharon, more of a side character than anything.
“Honey, I don’t disagree with you, but I’m just trying to make it through the party. The most helpful thing thatyoucan do for me is support my decisions in how to handle doing that. Does that seem fair?”
Reese softened then, and it was almost like Sydney could see her as a little child, the way she looked at her mom with such a repentant stare. “I’m sorry, you’re right,” Reese acquiesced.
Sharon smiled then, a genuine one this time. “Nothing to be sorry about, Reese. I’m just glad that you two are okay.”
For everything going on in Reese’s life, it made Sydney’s heart a little lighter to see that she and her mom seemed to be mending fences.
“In the spirit of honesty, I may have given Grant a few choice words, though I doubt he’ll remember them,” Reese said with a rueful smile.
“And he probably needed to hear them.” Sharon squeezed Reese’s shoulder again before letting go and then checking her watch. “Dessert is coming out in ten minutes. I have to get back downstairs.”
Sydney wondered if they’d follow, but a heated stare stopped her in her tracks. Sharon was already turning around, and Reese nailed her with a look that made all the heat from moments ago flair back to life, her stomach coiling tight.
“I was figuring we’d head out?” Reese said to Sydney, eyes searching.
If the look from Reese was any indication—the intensity of it made Sydney’s stomach swoop low—then their moment was far from over.
A dumb nod was all she could manage as they followed Sharon down the staircase to the ground floor before parting ways at the foyer.
Waiting for the valet to bring their car around was excruciating, and Sydney kept her thighs pressed together to contain the want settling deep inside of her.
Because, yes, she wanted Reese. More than she’d wanted anything in a long time. The excitement. The comfort. The desire. It was all rolled up in a powerful combination of anticipation for what would happen next.
Mostly, she wanted to chase that feeling.
When they finally got into the car, Sydney’s hand was right back on Reese’s thigh, drawing little patterns while she tried to keep the buzz of excitement at a survivable level.
“Is Hallie expecting you for anything today?” Sydney hedged, trying to make sure they were on the same page.
If they weren’t, she needed to start some deep breathing exercises and throw herself into the pool, pronto.
Reese shot her a disarming glance before her face grew more serious. “I just want to make sure that…”
Sydney’s fingers stilled against Reese’s leg, wondering what she’d say next.
Make sure this isn’t a bad idea?
Make sure their expectations align?
Make sure Sydney was going to melt into a puddle with how much she wanted this?
“I want to make sure this isn’t to avoid any decisions you’re putting off making,” Reese finished with another look thrown in Sydney’s direction.
She shook her head quickly. “No, this is not that.”
“But you do need to let your agent know by tomorrow, right?”
Sydney didn’t appreciate how the question was shifting her back into reality. To decisions and insecurity and confusion about what came next.
