Page 19 of Waste Some Time
Katie could barely focus on the fact that her analysis had been completely dismantled with a single question. She was too enthralled by Sydney’s laughter and the fact that she could have that effect on her. Katie loved making people smile. Making them laugh was even better. Making someone she was physically attracted to laugh? Best drug in the world.
“Fine. You got me. My sample is one,” she said. “But I stand by my instincts. You don’t strike me as the accountant type. You seem… warm. You’ve got a cozy vibe.”
“Thanks. I think?” Sydney smiled all the way up to her eyes. “You probably just need to meet more accountants. Or maybe I just hang out with the cool ones.”
“Sounds plausible. On both counts.” Katie tilted her head as she eyed Sydney curiously. “But seriously. What drew you to the old number crunching?”
Sydney let out a soft chuckle as she tucked a small blonde strand behind her ear. Katie fought the urge to reach out and brush back more of her hair.
Nope.
This wasn’t a date. No touching.
“Numbers were easy for me to work with. And I saw how stressed my parents always were around tax time, and I hated that. I like that I can help people take some stress off their plates by doing something that already comes easily to me. I do what I’m good at, so other people can focus on what they’re good at.”
Katie had never thought of it that way. It was a beautiful way to see accounting, of all things.
“I never would have considered that take on it.” Katie downed the rest of her coffee. “My cousin’s a musician, and I know that she and her bandmates are geniuses at playing and songwriting. But financial stuff? Not so much.”
“It makes sense. Most people aren’t naturally good at both.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Katie said. “They’ve got a manager for the band, but she’s already spread too thin, so they’re actually looking for someone to handle their upcoming tour financials.”
Sydney took a sip of coffee, then stared off thoughtfully for a moment. Then she said, “I’d be happy to talk with them if that would help.”
Katie shook her head. “Oh, I wasn’t asking… you don’t have to do that. You’re on vacation.”
“I know. But remember, I like this stuff.” She gave a flirty little wink that set Katie’s insides on fire.
“If you’re sure it’s okay, I know she’d love any advice you can give.”
“I can’t promise to work everything out. They’ll need someone local that specializes in entertainment finances. But I’d be happy to have coffee and chat with her for an hour or so to see if I can guide her in the right direction or figure out what the band actually needs help with.”
“That would be amazing. Thank you.” Katie pulled out her phone. “Let me text her before I forget.”
She sent a quick text to Rachel, who sent back an enthusiastic,YES!! Thank you!
“She’s very excited and says thanks.” Katie put her phone down. “I can give you her number or I can arrange something for y’all. Whatever’s easier for you.”
“Send me her number. Probably easier to work something out that way with her band stuff and my packed family schedule. Although I don’t know what that schedule is yet. I think I’m supposed to be available for whatever spontaneous plans they come up with.”
“That sounds a bit unfair.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not doing that,” Sydney said. “They’ll have to learn to plan things with me in advance, or they can’t expect me to be there.”
“Not your first rodeo with your siblings, huh?”
“Nope,” Sydney said with a delicate laugh. “But I love them to pieces anyway.”
Katie wondered what it was like to be on the other end of Syd’s affection.
Sure, they had chemistry, but they didn’t really know each other that well.
And it had to stay that way. Despite how nice it was to just be together and talk and enjoy beignets and coffee.
The exact reason she needed to get out of there and get rolling with the day. The sooner they moved on, the sooner Katie could remove Sydney from her mind.
Katie shook her empty cup from side to side. “Ready?”
