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Holden and I have never had a scare like this. I’ve never been late. This isn’t a situation I’ve ever come close to experiencing first-hand, but I easily can imagine how terrifying it would be. Any escape would sound pretty good to me too.
“I’m supposed to leave for London in ten days. What the fuck do I do, Cassia?”
“Wait, what? I thought you decided against that program.”
“Well, I applied anyway. Because I didn’t think I’d get in. But then I did. Andthatwas supposed to be the end of summer surprise. Not…this.”
I take a seat next to her, tucking my feet underneath my legs. “You need to go see a doctor so you can find out for sure.”
“I took four tests. They couldn’t haveallbeen wrong.”
“You never know. And you should hear what your options are. Tell Harrison. And then…” I exhale. “You’ll have some decisions to make.”
Sydney chews on her bottom lip. “Yeah. You’re right.”
“You drove all the way here by yourself?”
“I couldn’t keep sitting in that condo alone. Catherine’s gone on a work trip, so I had a car.”
“Catherine’s gone on a work trip?”
“Yeah.” Sydney sighs, oblivious to the trickle of unease running through me. “And she’s barely home, even when she is in town. For the best, I guess. It’s not like I’ve felt like talking. But there’s not much to do except freak out when I’m alone.”
I hum an agreement, my mind still spinning too fast to form more of a response.
He lied to me about helping Catherine.
Why?
“Does Holden know you’re here?” I ask.
Sydney huffs, eyes focused on the mountains. “No. I haven’t talked to him since he left on Thursday.”
I swallow, trying to ignore the unease as I realize…he didn’t go back to Pembrookeat all.
I push the questions away for now. Sydney has plenty to deal with at the moment. She doesn’t need my drama.
“Want to spend the night?” I ask.
“Don’t classes start tomorrow? I don’t want to get in the way.”
“You’re not in the way.” I stand. “Just let me change. We can go get some lunch and buy cookie dough for later.”
Sydney gives me a watery smile. “You’re sure Nova won’t mind?”
“I’m sure. Soccer is in full swing for her already, so her schedule is super hectic. She’s only been back here to sleep.”
I head into my bedroom to grab a shirt.
The air conditioning is on, but it’s not doing much. I’m just wearing a sports bra and shorts. I was half-considering going to the gym later, but I need no convincing to abandon that plan.
“So I ran into Grace Harper yesterday,” Sydney says when I walk back into the common area.
“My condolences,” I say before tugging the t-shirt down over my head.
When the fabric clears my face, Sydney is smiling. Then she tilts her head. “She asked if you and Holden wereactuallyback together…which kinda implies you broke up?”
There’s no accusation in her expression but definitely some confusion. Wondering why Grace knows more about my relationship with her brother than she does.
