“NTIA, baby,” Sydney said with a chuckle.
“What does your fake job entail?” Dad asked.
“Telecom policies,” Sydney replied. “And then I’ll redirect the convo to something else. I’ll tell them I’ve been busy shopping for a speedboat.”
Their laughter felt like medicine for her tortured soul. Her spirits lifted a little, and she leaned close and hugged her dad. “Love you guys so much.”
“What’s going on with the wedding plans?” Mom asked Caroline.
For the first time in months, Sydney felt like she could breathe. She hated putting her family at risk by being there, but knowing the house was well guarded eased her concerns. The ThunderStrike team her dad had hired was the best.
Maybe I can relax for a few hours.
The doorbell rang.
Mom made her way toward the foyer, while Dad hung back. “I’d much rather chill with just us, but we go with the flow, right?”
“Not me,” Sydney said.
“It’s just for a few hours,” Caroline murmured. “We like Aunt Valerie. When we were kids, she’d always bring us a little present whenever she’d come over.”
“I loved our summers at the lake house,” Sydney added. “Those were the best.”
Kathrine returned with their aunt. Seconds later, a stockyman with shoulder-length brown hair—who looked vaguely familiar—walked in, his attention on his phone.
Valerie Waters glanced from Caroline to Sydney and beamed. “There they are!” She hurried over, hugging them both. “You remember my son, Robby.”
Sydneydidremember her cousin, but she hadn’t seen him in years.
Stubble covered his face, glasses framed his eyes. He was wearing in a white shirt, sport coat, and black pants. He shot the group a friendly smile.
“Hey, Robby, it’s been a while,” Sydney said.
Robby Waters made the rounds, hugging everyone. “Thanks for having me.”
Her dad laughed. “Your mom kept you a secret, Robby. Valerie, we thought you were bringing a boyfriend.”
Their aunt smiled at her son. “Robby is a much better date than anyone I could dig up.”
Iced teas were poured, and the family stood around the gourmet island catching up. As Caroline and Sydney shared their fictitious jobs, Robby’s eyes went flat. He unearthed his phone from his pocket, got busy on it.
“How ‘bout you?” Mom asked Robby. “It’s been years. Tell us what you’ve been up to.”
“I was living in Denver, then Phoenix,” he said. “Love the west.”
“Where are you now?” Mark asked.
“I’m hanging with Mom for a month or so.”
“What do you do?” Sydney asked.
Valerie beamed. “Robby’s a professional poker player. Don’t want to brag or anything, but?—”
“Mom,” Robby snapped, the sharpness catching Sydney’s ear.
“He’s good enough to have bought me a beautiful new car.” Aunt Valerie beamed. “So proud of you. Dad would be too.”
He acknowledged her with a nod, but said nothing.
