“Why?”
“It’s none of your business, Hero,” Syd cuts in. “I love you for being protective, but even Dad and Mom aren’t being this nosy.”
Her parents are just watching the three of us like we are a movie.
“It was just a question.”
“I have no problem answering it.”
All eyes fall to me, except Syd’s. She keeps her attention on her plate.
“I think we should move in together because even though we all know Syd is fully capable of doing anything she sets her mind to on her own, she doesn’t have to. I want to be there for the all-nighters and the early mornings and to make sure you get to eat after you’ve put the baby to sleep for the twentieth time that morning. I want to make sure you get sleep so you can go to work and not be drained from a night awake. I want to change diapers and make sure you are in the family pictures. I have lots of reasons.”
Syd’s mom dabs her eyes with her napkin while her father nods with a small smile.
“I hate to say it, but I think he’s right.” Hero glances at his sister.
Syd hangs her head. “I know he is too.”
“You do?” I ask, turning to face her.
She nods. “Yes.”
“So, you’ll do it?”
“I’ll consider it.”
The smile on my face has never been bigger. I grab a roll, take a big bite, and look across the table to her glaring brother.
You win some and you lose some. Today, I think I won.
CHAPTER FIVE
Mark
“Low blow using my family against me,” Sydney says as soon as we are buckled into my car. She sips her malt. “Really low blow.”
“I like your family,” I say. I’d rather not reply to her comment. “Besides the initial meeting with your brother, I think they might like me too.”
“You are unbelievable.”
“I was committed and look at where it got me. You agreed.”
“I only agreed to change the subject. I’m not moving in with you.”
“What?”
“Mark, I barely know you.”
“You and I both know that’s a lie. I was more myself with you than anyone else last fall and you know it.”
“It doesn’t matter. A lot has changed since then.”
“And I’m truly sorry for not responding better to everything, Syd. I really am. I always wanted to be here. I always planned to be here. I just had a poor way of showing it. I’m going to do better, I swear. Let me prove it. Move in with me. Let’s be a team and give this baby the best life out there. I know we can do it. I just need you to believe it too.”
“I don’t know.”
“Look at us, Sydney. We are a perfect example of two people who can do this together. Romantic feelings aren’t involved. This is perfect.”
