Page 29 of Waste Some Time
Stephen stopped short and narrowed his eyes at her, assessing her expression. “I don’t believe you.”
“You don’t have to believe me,” Katie said. “It’s nothing for you to get excited about.”
As far as she knew, Sydney still hadn’t told Stephen about herself, or them, or her potential move back home. And Katie wasn’t going to pressure her about any of it.
Not since this was only a temporary situation, anyway.
Somehow, it didn’t feel so temporary. She and Sydney had been texting back and forth since their… whatever it was on Monday.
She didn’t mean to extend things with Sydney. It just sort of happened.
There was very little about their friendship that fit in Katie’s list of what she wanted out of a romantic relationship. Especially not the part about not wanting someone who wasn’t ready for a commitment. And she wasn’t willing to compromise on that.
Whatever romantic feelings she had for Sydney were an inconvenience. A brief waste of time.
But if she was going to waste time with anyone, Sydney was worth it.
And a week? She could afford to lose a week to a beautiful woman who made her feel relaxed and warm all over when they were together. Even Syd’s texts had that effect on her.
“Dinner.”
Katie shook her head and tried to shake thoughts of Sydney from her mind before she continued the conversation with Syd’s brother. “What?”
“Dinner,” he repeated. “Tomorrow night. You can’t weasel out this time. It’s New Year’s Eve eve, so you’re expected.”
Katie had spent last year with Stephen’s family on the night before New Year’s Eve. His mom knew all of them would be spread out for the actual holiday, so she made a big celebratory gathering the evening before that, along with the required blackeyes and smothered cabbage on New Year’s Day for anyone who wanted to come over to relax and recover with mimosas.
“I wouldn’t dream of upsetting your mother twice in a row.”
Katie loved spending time with the Savoies, since her own family wasn’t usually around that week. But this year, Sydney would be there.
Her whole body buzzed at the thought of seeing Sydney again. Of being surrounded by people they both loved. Of feeling all of that warmth and comfort.
Except that wasn’t Katie’s home, as much as it often felt like a second one. It was Syd’s.
Katie thought about how disappointed Mrs. Savoie would be if Katie broke her daughter’s heart. Not that she’d mean to, but it could happen.
This was fine, though. They weren’t currently in a relationship. Not technically. Despite the jolt Katie felt with every text she received, Sydney wasn’t her girlfriend. She wouldn’t be her girlfriend. This was just a week of… something.
Maybe she shouldn’t go to this family thing. She wasn’t sure how to get out of it, though.
“Nope. I see that look in your eye,” Stephen said.
“What look? There’s no look.”
“You’re thinking of an exit strategy, and I’m blocking it right now.”
“Don’t worry.” She put the phone in her back pocket and told herself not to check it again until she got home. And she’d figure out how to handle tomorrow evening later. “I’ll be there. Promise.”
Of course, she would be there. She couldn’t say no to Stephen or Sydney, apparently. And since her brain wouldn’t let her stop reliving their day together, she might as well give it some new images to ruminate on. As bad of an idea as this was, Katie would be there.
But was it such a bad idea? No one had to know about them. That there was any history, even as brief as it was, or that they still had feelings for each other. This could be their secret, and Sydney could return to San Diego in a few days with none of them any wiser. Nothing would have to change.
Unless Sydney decided to move back.
Nope. Katie wouldn’t worry about that either. It was Syd’s decision, and since this was only temporary, it wasn’t any of Katie’s business.
No matter how much part of her wanted it to be her business.
