“It wasn’t that kind of a date either,” I grit out teasingly. I just want to make it clear that Sydney’s not that kind of girl.
Mark has the wholeGrey’s AnatomyMark Sloan thing going for him, which is funny since the name fits the bill. He’s tall with dark hair and lighter eyes, cocky, and what most women think of as confidence, Trystan and I know is him just being pure full of shit. Most women swoon over his swagger, probably even thinking the whole time, ‘He even looks like Dr. McSteamy! OOOooohhh!’ That thought makes me smirk. No, my friend has never had an ounce of trouble picking up the ladies. He’s the type that fits all the tall, dark, and lethal boxes.
Trystan joined our group more recently. We met two years ago through Mark’s sister, Brynleigh, my secretary. Trystan is four years younger than Mark and I, but he fits in with us perfectly. Even though Brynleigh and his relationship didn’t last, they still occasionally chat. We don’t know what happened there, but it was just kind of “over” when Trys came back from a deployment. I don’t know if they even had anything serious. Obviously, not serious enough for Mark to befriend him. Most of the guys that date his sister in any capacity are immediately sworn off. Trystan, though, is a hard-working man that sees the small pleasures in life as treasures. Since he’s not all bad-ass swagger like Mark, most women perceive him as the shy type.Really, though, he’s not shy at all. That’s just his trick to lure the women in. I snicker to myself. Nah, he’s just got that all-American boy persona working for him.
“Well,” I ventured, “when you see Sydney, I think you’ll understand the change of heart. It’s more than that though. She’s great. Sweet with a touch of fire. Now don’t be giving me any shit. I know that sounds like crazy talk, but when you meet her, you’ll get it.”
“When we meet her? I don’t know if you want her to meet us, man. We might charm her away.” Mark winks, his eyes full of their typical mischief.
Trystan cuts in before Mark gets ahead of himself. “What I think dingbat here is trying to say overall is that we’re happy for you, man. It’s about damn time.” Trystan always knows the right thing to say at the right time. He’s level-headed and thoughtful. Too bad he hasn’t found a decent girl yet. Not that anything was wrong with Brynleigh; they just didn’t mesh well as a couple, I guess.
For the rest of the morning and early afternoon, we fish. The day is successful, bringing in a good mess of bass, bluegill, and even a few catfish and crappie. After leaving the guys, I decide I need a nice, cool shower and a nap. It’s been a good day. I flop onto the couch and Amy jumps up and nestles into my side.
I just can’t get over last night. It was absolutely one of the best nights I’ve had in five years. Maybe, in fact, the best. Images of Sydney in that dress with the tiny yellow and blue flowers smiling up at me, those heels showcasing sexy red nails and killer calves, and her brown hair tumbling in soft waves run through my mind like wildfire. She was beautiful, but her kindness when I told her about Jenna showed me a piece of her heart that made her extraordinarily beautiful in my book.
I can’t wait to see her again. Maybe I’ll even invite her out for drinks to meet the guys later this week. I remember looking at my schedule book at the clinic on Friday. I have a really busy week ahead, and not a lot of extra time on my hands. I’m short a vet, one who decided this was the week he wanted to take a vacation, and the two interns we usually have are on their break between semesters. Thursday night, I might get lucky and have some time, but it won’t be perfect unless Sydney is a part of it. I pull out my phone and scroll to Sydney.
Me: Are you busy Thursday night?
Bubbles appear immediately on her end.
Sydney: So busy. You know, I have to scrub baseboards, paint my nails, wash my hair. All the things.
I smirk, loving the playful snark.
Me: Oh, well I guess in that case I won’t interrupt all the things.
Sydney: You are more than welcome to interrupt all the things. What’s up?
Me: Wanna have drinks at the local bar with me and a couple of my friends?
Sydney: Holy moly, is this the friend test? Will I pass, you think? ;)
Me: I think you’ll pass with flying colors, but I’d date you regardless.
Sydney: Wow. No pressure. Cool. (Feels pressure)
Sydney: You seem to already have a lot of faith in me. What if I’m like a crazy psychobitch and haven’t flipped my switch yet?
I laugh out loud, startling Amy. Ha. Got her back for this morning’s shenanigans.
Me: Are you a crazy psychobitch, Sydney?
Sydney: Nope, you lucked out.
Me: In answer, yeah, I have some faith in the pretty gal who showed me how pretty her heart is last night and left me speechless.
I wait a few minutes.Welp, there you gone and did it now. Showing your cards.Bubbles appear.
Sydney: Crap, I got nothing. You win. I’ll come meet the guys Thursday night.
Me: Sweet. Have a great week, Sydney. I’ll talk to you soon.
Sydney: You too, Colin :).
I pull up the guy’s group chat.
Me: Thursday night. Phil’s Place for drinks. Sydney’s coming. Be there.
