I didn’t think my heart could break over a girl who wasn’t mine—and then Syd pulled out the friends with benefits card. Add in what she said in the car, and that’s when I knew for sure that this woman can not only break my heart, but she can also shatter it into a million pieces.
Sydney
Tonight is going much better than I thought it would.
If you block out the conversation on the ride here, anyway. I can’t believe I said that to him. Even though I’m leaning toward staying here in Wyoming, I haven’t made an official decision. For obvious reasons, this isn’t a choice I take lightly.
“And, of course, you’ll bring the baby with you,” Lennox goes on, talking about their upcoming wedding this summer. “All kids are welcome.”
“Oh, I’m not sure I’m going with Mark.”
“Why not? The invitation is addressed to both of you.”
“It is?”
“Well, yeah, why wouldn’t it be?”
For so many reasons, but I’m trying to thrive off her happiness, so I don’t mention the mess that is me and Mark.
“Of course she’s coming,” Mark says, draping an arm around my chair. His eyes meet mine. “If she wants to, of course.”
“I do, yes,” I say without thinking.
The three of them fall into easy chatter about the upcoming ceremony, and their excitement makes me grin.
I’ve kept most of my questions on them and the wedding and any other fun things I can think of. I don’t want questions about us or questions that could mention the past. It’s not like we can handle typical first double-date questions. How did you meet? Who was interested first? Who put the moves on who first? No, I need to make sure all questions go in the right direction.
“Sydney? Are you still with us?” Lennox asks, and as if my body heard the cue, I yawn.
Still, I nod. “Yes. Sorry. I zoned out for a moment.”
“Do you want to head home?” Mark asks.
Home. God, I love the way he says that. Would it be so wrong for me to just let everything go? To let myself be with Mark in all the ways that I want to be?
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No.
“No, not yet,” I answer him. “I’m having fun.” I grab my soda and take a sip.
“So am I,” Lennox says quietly and looks between Mark and Tripp.
I’m sure this dinner wasn’t easy for her, either.
But I’m happy we are all here.
“Do you guys want another round of drinks?” I ask, noticing their glasses are almost empty. “Mark, I can drive us home.”
“I’m fine.”
Lennox and Tripp share a look and nod. “We will call an Uber,” Lennox says, and they both order another round of Blue Moons.
Tripp must have whispered something funny into Lennox’s ear, because they are suddenly turned toward each other laughing and gazing into each other’s eyes.
