Page 70 of Come to Me

“You expecting someone?” Lexie asked Sydney. “It better not be Mitch. Remember, we said no husbands. No kids.”

“Why would I break that rule?”

Lexie cast a glance to Chelsea. “You two go at it like rabbits.”

“And you and Drake don’t?”

“Touche.”

Sydney laughed as she headed to the door. “It’s not Mitch.” She opened the door and immediately, all the air in the room shifted.

Patrick stepped in, giving Sydney a kiss on the cheek. “Hey Syd—” He stopped short as he took in her guests, his gaze stopping on Micki. Surprise and uncertainty sent a jolt of electricity through her. Why was he here?

“We’re just having a lady’s weekend.” Sydney said to him.

He turned his attention to her, his expression morphing from confusion to accusation. Oh no? This was a set up. Sydney orchestrated this moment. Anxiety gripped her as she feared he would assume she had a hand in this, that she had somehow manipulated the situation to see him again since he’d stopped communicating with her.

As Patrick's gaze locked with hers again. Vulnerability washed over her, uncertain of how to navigate this unexpected reunion. Unable to deal with his scrutiny, Micki rose from the couch and escaped into the kitchen. It was silly, but she’d hide until he left.

CHAPTER 21

When Patrick arrived at Sydney’s, the last person he expected to see was Michaela. When Sydney called to invite him over for a drink, he was happy for the opportunity to see his friend, and for the change of pace from working and then filling his nights with activities to keep him from thinking of Michaela. He’d gotten to the point where he was actually getting over her. Or so he thought. The minute he saw her sitting on Sydney’s couch, those bright blue eyes, ruby red lips, he knew he’d only been fooling himself. His heart cracked open again with longing and despair. Part of him wanted to turn and run, to avoid the inevitable heartache, but another part yearned to reach out and pull her into his arms.

Michaela popped up from the couch and scurried out of the living room to Sydney’s kitchen. That told him she hadn’t expected this reunion either.

Feeling Betrayed by Sydney, Patrick's annoyance bubbled to the surface. “What are you playing at?”

Sydney had the decency to look sheepish. "I just thought you might want to see her again."

“Why?” Didn’t she know how much it gutted him to think about Michaela? Seeing her wasn’t going to fix that.

Sydney reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "I just want you to be happy, Patrick. And I think she makes you happy, even if you won't admit it."

His jaw tightened. “What would it solve if I did admit it?”

“Patrick—”

“No, Syd.” Frustration built, feeling unbearable. “This isn’t your business.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Fine. Leave.” She opened the door.

He hesitated, thinking of the woman he knew he’s never get over hiding in the kitchen.

“Or, you can go talk to her.”

Dammit. He cast Sydney an annoyed glare and then moved across the living area, ignoring her friends, as he made his way to the kitchen. When he stepped into the room, his gaze immediately zeroed in on Michaela. She stood with her back to him, shoulders tense, and he could see the faint tremble in her hands as she sipped a glass of water.

"Michaela.”

She turned to face him, her blue eyes wide and uncertain. "I swear, Patrick, I had no idea Sydney was going to do this. I would never?—"

He raised a hand, silencing her. "I believe you."

“You do?”

He nodded. “I didn’t know what she was doing either.”

She watched him and he didn’t like how vulnerable she appeared still. Then again, he’d basically ghosted her. No wonder she seemed uncertain and uncomfortable.

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