Page 38 of A Lone Star Love Affair
“I’m not doing any such thing. I promise I won’t hit him,” Tony said, hoping he could keep that promise, because right now he would like to punch Dylan. “Where does he work, Sydney? I won’t hurt him. I can find out from someone else if you won’t tell me.”
“It’s over, Tony. Just let it go. I want to give you this check.”
“You ought to just keep it, Syd. Now, where does Dylan work?”
She bit her lip and sighed. “He works for L.J. Luxury Yachts. He’s head of their advertising department. Tony, don’t worry me about Dylan.”
“I won’t hurt him and I’m not going to worry you. I think you should have talked to him.”
“I didn’t see any point in it and I…” Her voice trailed away. “I don’t know if I can control my emotions. It’s difficult enough with you. I don’t want to get all weepy around Dylan. Tony, it hurts and it’s scary to think how I misjudged him.”
“Sorry, Syd. I’m going to dinner tonight with Isabelle. I’m sure she would be happy if you joined us. You two know each other.”
“Through Dylan.” As she wiped her eyes, she smiled at him. “You’re the best brother possible. Thanks, but I’ll be busy until late and then too tired for words. That’s one thing—I’m too occupied to dwell on this all day.”
“If you’re going to work late, you ought to try to eat something.”
“I don’t see you eating,” she said, smiling at him.
They looked at each other and smiled. She took a bite and sipped her hot tea while Tony also ate a little. His appetite was gone, but he knew it would be a long afternoon for him and he hoped if he ate, Sydney would.
“Take the check, Tony,” she said, pushing it closer to him.
He pocketed it without looking at it while Sydney took one more bite and then put aside her fork.
“There’s one more thing I want you to do for me. I’d really rather you didn’t even talk to Dylan. Promise me you won’t retaliate or do anything to him, either.”
“Sydney, when have I ever done anything like that?” he asked, even though that’s what he longed to do. “There’s a law against assaulting someone. I don’t want to complicate my life with a crime, so stop worrying.”
“I’ll take that as a promise,” she said. “I’m going to have to get back.” She leaned closer to him. “And no, I’m not giving you Dylan’s phone number or address. I know you can get someone to give it to you, but please, don’t bother. Tony, don’t even talk to him about this. Don’t make me worry and stop confiding in you.”
“If that’s what you want, I promise I won’t talk to him.”
“I’m relieved. Thanks for seeing me on such short notice and for brotherly sympathy. Thanks for everything.”
“I’m sorry, Syd,” he said, standing when she did. She smiled at him, picked up her purse and left.
As Tony headed back to his office, his thoughts were on Dylan.
He entered the elevator, surprised Isabelle was there along with five other employees. In spite of his simmering anger over Dylan, his heartbeat increased at the sight of her. Memories of the weekend were vivid, taunting him. He wanted to take her into his arms right now. Instead, he returned greetings, some reserved, some with smiles and friendly tones. By the time they were three floors away from Isabelle’s office, they were the only two people remaining in the elevator.
“Tony, when I saw you before lunch you said you were going to see your sister. Is everything all right?”
“No. Dylan turned out not to be the man she thought he was. Or you think he is, for that matter. I’ve promised her I won’t even talk to him, but I’m not happy about it.”
“Dylan?” Isabelle frowned. “Dylan is as straight an arrow as they come. He’s up-front, sincere, friendly. I don’t know what happened between them. I didn’t think they were even still seeing each other.”
“They’re not, but not for the noble reasons you attributed to him.”
“What are you talking about? Dylan decided to stop seeing her so she wouldn’t lose touch with her family, or be disinherited or lose your father’s support for med school.”
“My father paid Dylan to stop seeing her,” Tony snapped. “Dylan accepted the money.” They reached her floor and he held the close door elevator button. “I don’t know which I’m more annoyed with, Dylan or my father.”
Isabelle stared at him with a slight frown. She shook her head. “That doesn’t sound like Dylan.”
“Women are so damn softhearted. It makes them gullible.”
Isabelle’s frown grew more fierce. “Is that so? I’ve known Dylan a long time. That doesn’t sound like him. Frankly, if he had accepted money to stop seeing your sister, knowing Dylan as I do, I think he would have told me.”
