Page 27 of Vince
I can’t help the smirk that forms as the last piece of this crazy-ass puzzle falls into place. “Do you think I’m dating Vanessa?”
Something I’ve said must give her pause. Because her expression morphs from being irate to complete confusion. “Aren’t you?”
Oh, shit. She thinks Julia’s my daughter. It takes every ounce of effort I have not to let my lips form a smile.
But I can’t let her get off that easy. “No. That would be weird.”
“Weird? I’ve seen it for myself. Julia has your eyes, and she called Vanessa Momma? Are you just co-parenting?”
“Yes—we are co-parenting. But I think there might be another important question you might wanna ask me first?”
Her tone turns defensive as she punches her fists into her hips. “Really? What’s that?”
Damn, this woman when she’s angry. Now that I know I’m not at fault, I appreciate her beauty. Her green eyes are darkened with fury, and her skin is flushed from her frustration. She’d clearly rip off my balls and feed them to me if she thought I’d cheat on her.
“Well—for starters—maybe I’d start withWhat’s your relationship to Julia?”
I wait for that to sink in.
She loses some of her fight, but I can still see her holding onto the fury she’s worked up about. “But you live with Vanessa? You just told me that.”
“You still haven’t asked the important question,” I point out.
Oh, Sydney, you have no idea how stubborn I can be. Two can play this game.
She huffs out a breath of air, “Fine. What is your relationship to Julia?”
“Finally, we’re getting somewhere. I’m so glad you asked, Sydney. You’ve already met my niece. But if we go back inside,” as I point to the diner where we have quite a crowd watching—well, at least Chloe, Vanessa, and Julia are prying at the window, “I’ll introduce you to mytwin sisterVanessa.”
She opens her mouth to speak, then immediately clamps it shut. Then opens it again—but no words come out. Now that I’m removed from the anger and defense, I find it downright comical, and I can’t control the laughter that bubbles from deep inside me.
When I get myself back in control, I pin Sydney on the spot—so there are no more misconceptions. “For the record, I’m not into incest, and I’ve never cheated on anyone. And—the only type of green I enjoy seeing from you is in the form of your beautiful eyes. What do you say, Syd? Can you put your claws away and come meet my sister?”
Staring at the pavement below us, she shakes her head. “I think it might be best if I just walk home now.”
“Now why would you go and do a thing like that?” She lives miles from here, and I’m sure she has a meal waiting on her to finish.
She crosses her arms and kicks a rock from under her feet.
So, I wait.
And wait.
When I realize this stubborn woman is attempting to outwait me, I step closer. I hear her take a deep breath in—but still nothing.
With a finger, I reach out and touch her chin and wait for her eyes to meet mine. Finally, when I have her full attention, I ask, “Why do you feel like you need to walk home?”
Her eyes drift to our audience and then back to mine. “Because I’ve clearly read the situation wrong and made a fool of myself.”
“Naw… you haven’t made a fool of yourself. Sure, you read the situation wrong, but I’m at fault for not taking the time to properly introduce you to Julia this afternoon.”
Eating crow does not look good on Sydney, but she’s already been forgiven. Besides, Vanessa’s going to die when she hears this.
“How can you be so calm and reasonable? I just completely freaked out on you, made assumptions that clearly made me an ass, and accused you of being a cheater.” By the end, her voice is barely above a whisper, and her lower lip is trembling.
Fuck, I can’t handle her being upset like this. Reaching for her hand, I pull her close and wrap my arms around her in a hug. Her head leans against my chest and her messy bun tickles my chin. So, I readjust us and hug her fiercely. “It’s okay, Syd. You have nothing to be embarrassed over.”
“But…” she starts but I cut her off.
