Page 101 of Meant to Be
Julia had met Drake at the fair in Virginia, but there had been nothing steely about him that day. Sydney couldn’t imagine Julia would catch his eye. She was beautiful and fun but a little too flighty for a serious man like him. Then again, he’d married Lexie. But she wasn’t flighty. She was a free spirit.
“He came to a bunch of gallery parties. He was an intense man. I still can’t believe he married a simple southern girl.”
“Hey! Lexie is not simple.”
“Oops. Sorry.” Julia frowned, or at least tried to. The alcohol was softening the muscles in her face. “Those people aren’t growing on you, are they? You’re still planning to move back to New York after your sabbatical, right?”
“Yes.” Saying it broke her heart. “But I’ll miss many of the people I’ve met there.”
Julia started to say something, but thankfully, Patrick stole her wine bottle, effectively distracting her.
“You know I’ve got more.” Julia stood and staggered toward the kitchen.
Sydney quickly reached toward the cushion to make a play for her phone.
“I can see you, Preston. Don’t you dare get that phone. You’re grounded from it until tomorrow.”
“My mom says he was worried.”
“Then your mom can tell him you’re okay. You’re having wine with your oldest and dearest friends.”
Sydney glanced toward Patrick, hoping he’d help, but he was looking at his phone. Feeling surly, she said, “Patrick is using his phone.”
His head shot up, and he fumbled to get his phone back in his pocket.
“Give it.” Julia held her hand out to him.
“I will not. I…I may have a patient.”
“Why all the flushing and stammering for a patient? Does Patrick have a girlfriend?” Sydney teased. The idea of it made her happy and a bit relieved. Julia had never been warm to Patrick’s love interests, except Sydney. It didn’t take a shrink to know Julia would see any other woman in Patrick’s life as a threat. He was all she had, and she wouldn’t want him to be with anyone who could impact her access to him. So it was no wonder he might be secretive about it.
Julia’s narrow eyes scrutinized him for a moment. Then she shrugged. “Let’s go get pizza.”
“We just ate.” Patrick huffed out a breath. “By the time we get there, they’ll be ready to close.”
“I want to go. Come on, Sydney. You said you haven’t had good pizza in a long time.”
“She’s right. I wouldn’t mind a slice.”
Patrick rolled his eyes, which was pretty much par for the course when he was with them.
“I’ll call a car.” Julia skipped off to the other room.
“I think we spoil her.” Patrick stuck his hands in his pockets, something he did when he was annoyed but giving in.
“Of course.” Sydney slipped her hand through Patrick’s arm. “But if not us, then who?”
The next morning, Sydney stopped by her parents’ home. The night before she’d had a good cry, great friendship, and excellent pizza. Now she was ready to face her parents and their worry about her stalker.
“Sydney.” Her mother hugged her, holding her a little longer than usual. “Did you have fun with Julia and Patrick?”
“Yes. It’s nice to be back in New York.” She followed her mother to the dining area, where breakfast and her father already sat.
“Sydney.” He stood and hugged her, kissing her on the cheek. “Just in time for food.”
“Did you call Mitch?” Her mother sat across from her father.
“Ah… no. Julia hid my phone.”
