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Her voice sounded tired. Her hand rested against waist, and I laid my hand on top of hers.
“Until he’s in jail for something stupid he does, she won’t come back.”
“What did your mom say tonight?”
Sydney yawned, her body growing heavier next to mine. “That Hailey said to tell me hello. That Gracie is reading now. And then she started crying. All the calls are the same. They never change.” Her shoulders slipped under my grip. “I wish it was different.”
I reached toward the lamp and flipped the switch.
“I know you do, baby. I know,” I whispered the words over her head. I would hold her as long as she needed. I didn’t know what else I could do.
I held her close until we both fell asleep.
12
Sydney
I stretched my arms over my head and sat up. I was still wearing my dress from last night. Mason wasn’t in the room. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on him last night. I didn’t mean for any of that to happen. I spilled everything about Hailey and Gracie. I groaned. Way to keep it light and fun, Sydney.
I closed the bathroom door behind me and brushed my teeth. Usually after the calls about Hailey I slept restlessly. My dreams filled with frantic scenes of trying to rescue her. I would search the rooms of an empty house. Sometimes the house was on fire. I never found her. I always woke up feeling sick and angry.
I was angry at Brian for ruining our family. I was angry at the police for not protecting my sister. I was angry at my parents for not finding a way to bring her back. But mostly I was angry at Hailey for choosing him. She was the one who let him into her life. She destroyed our lives. When those thoughts came, I pushed them out, telling myself I was selfish. I felt guilty for even thinking it. Hailey was a victim. I zipped my toothbrush back in my overnight bag and walked into the suite to find Mason.
He was standing in front of the window. The phone pressed to his ear. The business channel was on mute, and there were spreadsheets scattered on the coffee table.
I made a cup of coffee while he finished his call.
He turned and smiled. “Good morning.” He tossed the phone on the table.
He had obviously showered. His hair looked dry, though. I wondered how long he had been awake.
“Good morning.” I stirred in a teaspoon of sugar and tasted the coffee.
“How did you sleep?”
“I-uh-thank you.” I was utterly embarrassed. My family secrets spilled in a mess at my feet. I realized I didn’t have one of those terrible dreams about my sister last night. Mason’s arms had been around me. I might have dreamed it, but I thought he kept checking on me, running his hands over me gently, drowning out the pain.
He stood in front of me. I looked puzzled when he pulled out his wallet, fished out a credit card, and pushed it across the counter. “Here. Why don’t you do some shopping while I’m in my meetings?”
I blinked at the card. “Shopping?”
“Have lunch. Maybe try one of the spas. Whatever you want to do. I’m going to be tied up for the next four hours before we can drive back.” He refilled his coffee mug.
I left the card on the table. “I have money. I can buy my own lunch.” I walked out of the kitchen, back to the bedroom.
“Wait a minute.” He followed me. “I’d like to do something for you.”
I spun on my heels. “Why? You feel sorry for me because of last night?” I was wrong when I thought I had felt embarrassed. This was complete humiliation. I couldn’t believe I had revealed all of it.
“Not at all.” His blue gaze caught me off guard. “You’re going to be stuck here. And after our agreement yesterday, I can’t have you hanging around the suite. I need to keep these meetings confidential. It’s best for both of us.”
“The meetings are here?”
He nodded. “I try to keep things private. Remember? I’m not going to meet in the lobby where half of San Antonio can see who is bidding on the deal.”
“Right.” I sat on the edge of the bed.
Whatever the connection was I thought we had shared last night must have been my imagination. This man wasn’t acting like we had bonded over emotional family baggage. He was acting like a businessman waiting for a board meeting to start. His white shirt was crisp. I wanted to reach up and see if it was even possible to crease his collar. Nothing seemed to throw him off.
