Page 15 of Waste Some Time
Katie promised she wouldn’t, and immediately felt another wave of panic rush through her body as she tossed her phone onto the couch.
Rachel was right. This probably wouldn’t be so terrible. In fact, they’d probably have a good time.
But that was the problem.
More time with Sydney meant more time gazing at those smooth lips shining with that pale coral gloss. Getting lost in those sea-green eyes. Fighting the urge to run her fingers through those soft waves that smelled like she just stepped off a Sand Diego beach.
Oh no. She was toast.
What the hell had she agreed to?
Katie knew exactly what she’d agreed to.
She plopped onto her faded blue second-hand couch and sighed at the ceiling. She knew she shouldn’t be looking forward to spending the day with Sydney tomorrow. Now that it was inevitable, however, she couldn’t help wanting the clock to spin faster.
But there was dread mixed into that anticipation. Not dread over spending time with Sydney. Dread that she would inevitably want to spend even more time with her.
Rachel was right. She’d been quick to dismiss their potential after that party. But now she had good reason to dismiss their future. Anything more than a fun day together would be a waste of her time. There was no future for them, not with the physical distance between their lives.
Although Stephen was right, too. She didn’t have better plans. And if she spent the day on her own, she wouldn’t leave the house. That meant she’d still be missing out on meeting someone else. The right someone else.
So this wouldn’t really be a waste of time as long as it didn’t go any further.
And it wouldn’t.
It couldn’t.
Sydney would be gone in less than a week. That’s what Stephen had said, and what Sydney had said at the party. A long-distance relationship wasn’t an option, so this would just be a fun day of showing someone Katie’s favorite spots. And maybe finding out some of Sydney’s old favorites as well.
Crap. They would be sharing interests and history, wouldn’t they?
It was just one day, she reminded herself. One day together, then they’d go their separate ways. How much harm could come from one wasted day with a beautiful woman?
6
SYDNEY
The day was bitterly cold,and Sydney immediately regretted her footwear choice. Her favorite blue flats were comfortable enough to walk in all day, but her ankle peaking out from the bottoms of her skinny stretch jeans would freeze if they did much walking outside.
She’d made the mistake of packing for a San Diego winter. She forgot how much colder New Orleans was, despite being farther south.
Her heart raced as she knocked and waited.
When the door opened, she found Katie inside. Her dark brown hair brushed the tops of her shoulders, and her thick dark bangs framed her forehead.
“Let me just grab my coat and purse and we can head out.”
Katie’s motions were hurried as she walked to a small round dinette across from the living room. She fumbled with slipping her black leather jacket over a long-sleeved black T-shirt and looked uncharacteristically sheepish.
Not that Sydney knew what was characteristic of this woman. She only knew what she’d seen so far. Confidence. Ease.
Even through the situation Sydney had roped her into.
It was past time she fixed that situation. Or at least cleared the air.
“Actually,” Sydney said. “Can I come in for a second? To explain things before we do anything else?”
Katie froze with one arm in her jacket, surprise settling on her face with the suggestion. But she nodded inside.
