Sydney’s face scrunched, wondering what her mom was up to right now. “Because you missed me?”
“Well, how long has it been since we were all back here together? Since well before we moved, I think?” Her mom said it like it was a question, but Sydney knew that she was aware of everything at all times, including when they’d last been all here together.
“And, well, talking about Hallie and all the big changes at the inn, and your new relationship,” her mom dropped in casually, like it didn’t sound like a bomb in Sydney’s ears, “we figured this would be a great time to surprise you and visit.”
She shot Hallie a critical stare implying, ‘Did you have something to do with this?’
Hallie shook her head forcefully and glared before lifting her hand up as if to say, ‘Absolutely not. And how dare you ask me that.’
“Where are my manners!” her mom continued, hopefully oblivious to their silent exchange. She extended her hand toward Reese. “I’m Rachel King, Sydney’s mom. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Up until thirty seconds ago, Sydney had thought she was minutes away from being wrapped up in Reese and wherever the rest of the day would take them.
It physically hurt that she could still taste Reese on her lips, and she licked them instinctively, hoping this was all just a weird dream.
But, she realized when Reese let go of her hand—she missed the warmth immediately— today was apparently going to be the day of parental interruptions. So when Reese moved to return her mom’s gesture, shooting Sydney a small smile, Sydney already had her hand at the small of Reese’s back, tracing a soothing pattern there.
Even if she was missing out on what could be happening between them if her parents hadn’t shown up, she still wanted it all with Reese.
Sixteen
Reese suddenly felt claustrophobic.She’d met parents before, so she couldn’t understand why she was freaking out.
Well, partially understand, at least.
It was hard to calm the blood pumping through her body when she was still aware of the ghost of Sydney’s hands on her. Stillacutelyaware of Sydney’s fingers playing against her back, which should probably have been calming but was having the opposite effect instead.
Physically, all they’d been doing was holding hands, but emotionally… She already had Sydney undressed in her mind’s eye, eager to map the divots and contours and soft skin that she’d only seen hints of this summer. She bet that Sydney had an amazing back. Was it weird that Reese wanted to lick it?
She felt the heat fan across her cheeks at the thought. “Mrs. King, it’s so nice to meet you, too,” she said quickly, extending her hand for a shake. God, she hoped Sydney’s mom didn’t notice her sweaty palms.
Rachel cast a long look around the lobby, which now felt muted and shabby under her observant stare. “How are you likingowning the inn, Reese? Hallie and Sydney spent most of their youth here.”
It would be a lie to say she didn’t find Rachel King intimidating. She had Sydney’s same tall stature, along with beauty that hadn’t faded with age.
“It’s been an adventure, to say the least,” Reese admitted, knowing that lying would likely do her no good. She was a horrible liar, anyway. “And Hallie has been a godsend. I couldn’t do anything without her.”
Hallie smiled brightly and stood up a little straighter. Reese made a note to tell her more often because, truly, she’d be lost without her. But this wasn’t the time to think about what would happen if Hallie decided to move on in a few months and Reese was left to tackle this beast alone.
“Well, I don’t want to interrupt everyone’s day, but I was hoping I could steal Sydney for a few hours if she’s available.” Mrs. King turned her attention to her daughter then. “Your father and I are going to visit my sisters, and we thought that since you haven’t seen them since coming back, you’d like to join us.”
Reese was still wrestling with keeping her desire in check, Sydney’s ministrations on her back continuing in a way that was not at all helpful. But Rachel’s words were a cold dose of reality that, needfully, brought her down from a boil to a slow simmer.
There was no way they were getting out of this quickly.
Sydney’s fingers moved down to Reese’s lower back, finding their way to the cutout in her dress, and in an instant, Reese was going higher, higher, higher.
“I’d love to Mom, bu?—”
Reese ballooned with hope for the briefest moment before she deflated with a quick pop when Mrs. King said breezily, “Amazing. They’ll be so happy to see you! And then maybe later this week we can all do dinner? Reese. Hallie. Anyone else in the Devereux family that I should invite?” Rachel asked, her implication clear when paired with a focused stare in Reese’s direction.
And with that, the flames were fully doused. She’d been too off-kilter until now to notice that the vibes were definitelyoff.
Reese shut her mouth, teeth clenched as she swallowed quickly. Her instinct was to react, but she wanted the approval of Sydney’s parents, she realized. So, instead of asking what Rachel King meant, she turned toward Sydney, slipping about a foot away so she could capture the hand that had been torturing her masterfully only moments before. “That sounds nice, Sydney. You can find me later?”
She didn’t miss the confused stare that Sydney gave her, followed quickly by an appreciative smile. “Promise?”
Reese squeezed Sydney’s hand at the same time she dropped a soft kiss on her cheek. “It’s a date,” she said when she leaned back, their stares catching in a way that sent electricity through her again.
