Page 13 of Waste Some Time
“I’m sure Katie has better things to do than be my babysitter for the day.” Sydney’s bright green eyes flickered with a similar panic. “Aside from the fact that I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Nope,” Stephen said. “She has off tomorrow. Plus, she already told me her cousin’s in the recording studio, and her parents are hiding out in some cabin in Mississippi for the week. So she doesn’t have any plans she’s told me about, and if she has any errands to run, you can go with her. It’s a win-win!”
Katie’s heart pounded against her ribcage. “Your sister is as lovely as you are, Stephen, but how is this a win for me, exactly?”
Maybe she shouldn’t have said lovely.
When she saw that sparkle in Sydney’s eyes, she no longer regretted the wording at all. All she could think about was making her sparkle like that more.
“You love showing off this city,” Stephen said, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. “You’re a natural tour guide.”
He had her there. She did like to show off the city. And even if Sydney was born there, Katie was sure a lot had changed since Sydney had last visited New Orleans.
She was running out of excuses.
She could tell him Benjamin was sick.
No, he would suggest Sydney go with her to the vet or help take care of it at her place. Sydney seemed like she’d be great with animals. Kind. Caring. Gentle.
Katie had to tread lightly, or this could turn out even worse. The last thing she needed was Sydney hanging out at her apartment.
It had taken all of Katie’s willpower not to invite Sydney home after that Christmas party. Their conversation that night had flowed smoothly, but they hadn’t really talked about the details of their lives. She did know the woman wouldn’t be sticking around for long. She had a life somewhere else. Since there was no potential future for them, Katie had left her behind at that party.
She didn’t think she could have that much willpower twice.
If this day together was inevitable, as it seemed it might be, then she needed to keep Sydney out of her apartment and in public areas where she wouldn’t be tempted to kiss her again.
Well, where she probably wouldn’t act on that temptation.
“I don’t know, Stephen.”
Sydney seemed equally uncomfortable. About being with Katie again or about imposing on Katie was the question.
Not that the answer mattered.
“I do know,” Stephen said. “It’s settled. I’ll give you Katie’s address, and you can pick her up in the morning.” He crumpled his paper sandwich wrapper with an exaggerated flourish. “You donotwant to ride in Katie’s car. No offense.”
“Hey!” Katie wadded her own wrapper and tossed it at him. “Yes, offense. Very much offense.”
“Oh, please. I’ve been in your car. Trust me. You want to use Syd’s rental.”
She was sure Syd’s accountant salary paid to rent a much nicer ride than Katie’s worn-in Camry, but she didn’t have to admit that.
“If you’re going to take time out of your day, the least I can do is use my vehicle and gas.”
Katie wasn’t sure if she was reading her wrong—and that was quite possible since she barely knew this woman—but it seemed like Sydney’s expression had softened. Maybe she was even hopeful.
Shit.
There were a million excuses Katie could probably come up with to get out of this. She just needed a single good one.
Unfortunately, her brain wasn’t cooperating.
Or maybe it didn’twantto think of an excuse.
Not that any of this was a good idea, but her curiosity was winning out. She wanted Sydney to tell her to her face why they were having to put on this charade of not knowing each other. Even if Katie had no intention of taking their interactions any further.
Was it as simple as Stephen not knowing she liked women? People were allowed to come out on their own timelines and in whatever way they felt comfortable, but Katie knew Stephen pretty well. Better than she knew anyone else aside from her cousin Rachel. She couldn’t imagine why Sydney would think telling him would turn out badly.
