Page 80 of The Pass
“It isn’t that.”
I sit back on the edge of the bed. Sydney wears her emotions all over her face, but I can’t figure out what this one is—nerves? Fear?
“Your sister hates me. We…Isaid some things I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry. I hate the position that puts you in.”
“I’m sure she deserved whatever you said. I don’t know what her problem is, but I’m not worried.”
“You’re not? Why? Your family is so important to you.”
“They are. So are you. Besides, I know you. You’ll win her over no matter how hard she tries to dislike you.”
“I think you overestimate my charm.” She smiles, but then it falls. “That’s what I don’t get, though. Why does she want to dislike me?”
“I’m not sure, but let me worry about Tara.” I stand and pull on my T-shirt. “You’ll text me after your appointment and let me know how it goes?”
“Yeah. Fingers crossed for good news.”
“Fingers crossed.” I lean forward and take her lips. An entire day in this bed and it’s still hard to pull myself away. “We’ll celebrate later.”
* * *
“You’re goingto yell at me now, aren’t you?” Tara asks when we’re seated at the restaurant. “Busy place where I can’t make a scene and I’m stranded with a lake between me and my car.”
“When have I ever yelled at you?” I roll my eyes. “I do want to know what the hell is going on with you though. You haven’t been yourself—and I don’t just mean the shit with Sydney. You seem different. I mean, you haven’t even commented on the fact I’m wearing a boring white T-shirt today.”
“I gave up on changing your fashion sense years ago.” She plays with the sugar holder on the table. “I met a guy.”
A groan escapes my lips before I can stop it. “A guy?”
“Do you want to know or not?”
“Yeah.” I run a hand through my hair. “Yeah, I do.” I hope I don’t have to hunt some dude down after breakfast and kick his ass.
“He’s great. We have tons in common and we get along really well. I’ve known him since freshman year, same friends and all that. We hung out a few times just the two of us and I thought he really liked me, but then…” She hesitates.
“You slept with him?”
She nods. “And that was it. He moved on to the next girl, some chick that’s always hanging around the soccer house sleeping with all the guys.”
“I’m sorry, Tara. I really am. The guy sounds like an asshole and not worth it.”
“Maybe, or maybe I made it too easy on him. I should have made him wait longer or, I don’t know, something. He moved right along to the next easy girl who came along.”
“Listen, if things with Sydney have taught me anything, it’s that when the right person comes along you have to take a chance, no holding back. You did that and it bit you in the ass, but it won’t always.”
“Or maybe you two are together because it’s easy. She’s always around, and—”
“Stop. I appreciate your concern, but it really isn’t any of your business. She isn’t an article of clothing I’m asking your opinion on. I love her, she’s my best friend, and I want to be with her for… a long time, maybe forever.”
Tara’s eyes widen. “Forever? You’re not going to do something stupid and get engaged before you’ve even graduated college, are you? I wanted you to have a life, but let’s pump the breaks.”
I chuckle. “I think I’ll give dating a whirl for a while first, but she’s not going anywhere. And I think you two have a lot more in common than you think.”
My sister looks skeptical.
“That story you just told me? Sydney has one pretty similar to it. It’s not mine to tell, but she’s been hurt before, too. She knows what it’s like. Listen, I’m not asking that you become friends with her. I know you liked Amelia, I did too, but she wasn’t right for me. I need you to understand that hurting Sydney is only going to put a wedge between us. I know you don’t want that and neither do I. And you owe her an apology. Inviting Amelia down, no matter how much you like her, was super uncool.”
“I know.” She sighs and lets out a breath. “Are we good?”
