Page 66 of The Pass
“Because of me?” Her brown eyes press me for the truth.
“She said I was in love with you. Actually, first she said you were in love with me but then when I told her how you were trying to help me smooth things over she changed her mind and said I was the one in love with you.”
Sydney sits up on the raft and she regards me carefully. “And what did you say?”
“Nothing. I left.”
“So it really was my fault that you and Amelia broke up.” Sydney looks thrown by the new information and I scramble to console her.
“No, babe, it was mine. It’s on me, not you. Tara thinks I’m going to ruin every relationship because I cut and run at the first sign of conflict.”
“And I’m who you run back to.”
I nod.
“Do you think you could have worked things out with Amelia if you’d stayed and tried to talk it out?”
“Maybe.”
Sydney groans. “And we never would have gotten together.”
I take her hands in my lap. “Babe, this has been the best couple of weeks. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
“Me either.” Even though she’s reaffirming how great a time we’ve been having, her tone isn’t nearly as excited.
When Jonah and Tara make it back, Corinne’s already red from the sun and complaining she needs a nap.
“What? No way. It’s still early,” Ollie whines.
“I need to go into town this afternoon for physical therapy anyway,” Sydney says, and I know she’s trying to make Corinne feel better for us all going back.
“Tomorrow let’s hook up the tube and have some fun,” Jonah suggests before we leave.
Corinne falls asleep on the ride back, Tara’s on her phone, and Sydney is quiet—very unlike her usual bubbly self. I know she’s stressing about my sister liking her.
My instinct is to ignore it and let them come together on their own. Sydney is impossible not to like when you get to know her, so I have no doubt my sister will come around eventually. But maybe a little push would help resolve things quicker.
Corinne wakes up just long enough to walk up to the house and fall into bed. I’m sitting in the living room while my sister and my girl are on their separate sides of the house showering. Sydney comes out first. Her long hair is still wet and hangs straight over her shoulders.
She smiles and walks over to me and I pull her down on my lap.
“You smell good.”
“You smell like the lake.” She nuzzles into me regardless.
“Don’t worry, I’m going to shower while you’re gone. Then it’s you and me for date four.”
“Jet skis?” She perks up.
“Yep, Jonah offered to let us use them tonight if you’re game.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“Well, I can’t find my contact solution,” Tara announces as she walks into the living room wearing her glasses. “And I completely forgot to pack underwear.”
“Ugh,” I groan at the overshare.
“Relax, I’m wearing my suit bottoms.”
