Page 21 of Buried Treasure
Sydney stared at her friend for a second before quickly turning back to her food as Amelia started another story about her son. Sometimes the immature rookie next door would surprise Sydney. For every nameless woman she would run out of his apartment, there would be a little moment when she would be reminded he was barely an adult who hadn't been completely beaten down yet by the world. Not like Sydney, who had been beaten down plenty lately. She would have to make it a point to try and at least get over to see Ryan more often in the next few weeks as they both struggled with their stupid extenuating circumstances.
But in the meantime, she decided to enjoy the food and the people around her. It would be enough for now, especially when she needed so much to find a way to distract herself from her current life.
After clearing off the table after dinner, Ryan seemed to be dragging a bit — something that Andy seemed to have noticed first.
"Perhaps it's time to get our rookie to bed, Amelia," he gently said as Ryan yawned loudly from his spot at the table.
"I should actually head out too."
Sydney knew she needed to go, knew it was the right thing to do, but she still dreaded walking back into that quiet apartment alone. Although taking Andy with her wouldn't be a better solution.
She watched as Andy checked in with Amelia on their plan for the next few days. Then he grabbed his coat from its spot on a kitchen chair.
"Remember to take your painkillers and let me know if the incision starts to give you any extra pain," he told Ryan.
"Yes,mom."
"Don't you start joking while your mother is right here!" Amelia said.
Ryan gave her a sheepish look. "Sorry, mom."
"Have a good night," Amelia said. "And Sydney, come visit anytime you need some company."
She gave Sydney a big mom hug and gently nudged her guests out the door. As soon as it locked behind them, Sydney started to feel nervous in the silent hallway. She headed for her apartment, hoping her movement somewhere would make things a little less awkward between her and Andy. All he had to do was say good night and she could curl up in front of her television again. Awkward problem solved.
"So good night," she said casually to Andy.
"Listen, about all the dating hints from Ryan's mom."
Sydney took a deep breath and turned to Andy, hoping he would make this quick. The look on his face, however, made her realize it probably wouldn't be easy to shoo him away. Although to be fair, he actually looked a bit humble standing in front of her, and it kind of made her not want him to leave just yet.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I hope she didn't make you too uncomfortable."
Sydney gave him a slight smile. "You don't have to be sorry. I mean, you didn't ask her to do that, did you?"
"Oh, no no," Andy said quickly. "No, I didn't ask her to do that."
"I figured as much."
"But what you said about not being into dating right now. I'm assuming it's maybe because of what happened with your job."
Sydney looked down at her black boots. "Lack of a job."
"Right, sorry about that," Andy said quietly.
"It's OK." Sydney turned around to look at her front door. "I'm going to get going."
"Oh yeah, sure. Well, if you need anything, I mean, not that I could really help since you barely know me." He took a deep breath and nervously ran his fingers through his hair before looking up at her with his piercing blue eyes. "If you need anything and I can help, let me know."
Sydney smiled. "Thank you. I mean that."
Andy gave her a friendly nod. "Have a good night, Sydney," he said before walking away.
He was almost at the elevator, well out of range of her voice, before Sydney finally found the effort to reply. "Good night," she quietly said before heading into her apartment to spend the rest of her night alone.
He heard her. He figured she thought he hadn't heard her, but he did. He was just about to press the button for the elevator to leave when he softly heard her respond behind him with a quiet "Good night."
As the elevator doors closed on him, he could see the door to her apartment slowly close on her. She was gone — for now.
