“If that worked, then I’d already be married with babies. And a house with a white picket fence… maybe even a minivan,” Sydney admitted.
Lemon’s forehead wrinkled. “Who are you trying to get over?”
“Someone who doesn’t even know I’m female.”
Understanding dawned in the younger woman’s eyes. “Ohhhh.” Her lips thinned. “I swear—those brothers are trouble. Every last one of them.”
Horror filled Sydney’s brain, setting off alarms. No one could know about her secret crush. “It’s not Brody,” she said quickly.
“I never said which brothers,” Lemon slowly pointed out.
Sydney’s cheeks heated and she looked down, then grabbed her bat and began to spin it around. “I know, but I just wanted to be clear about who it wasn’t. Just in case that ‘ooooh’ of yours meant him.”
“Cherry’s breaking up with him.”
Her head jerked up. “She is?”
Hazel eyes sparkled as a small smile played on Lemon’s face. “Oh yeah. I heard her tell Apple that she was not bidding on him at the Fireman’s Auction.”
“But she always bids on Brody. And they were just flirting with each other at the fence.”
“Maybe she hasn’t told him.”
“Well, the auction would be one heck of a way to let Brody know. Are you sure she’s not bidding on him?” Jessamine’s Annual Fireman’s Auction was tradition. The women got into bidding wars over the man they wanted the most. Sydney had never gone, mostly because the only man she wanted was Brody, and no one had ever successfully defeated Cherry McCoy when she bid due to her family’s piles of money. The McCoys were the richest family in Jessamine.
“I’m positive,” Lemon said cheerfully. “I think her exact words were, ‘Brody needs to realize there are other women out there and that he needs to give her a chance’. Maybe you should come? I have to MC—one of my duties as Jessamine’s queen, and it would be nice to have a sympathetic face in the crowd.”
Because Mark wouldn’t be bidding on her, and then everyone would know was left unsaid. It was also tradition that the hostess of the auction was bided on as well. Stupid traditions. “I’d love to go, but I don’t have anything to wear.”
“You can borrow something from me. I have tons of gowns.”
Sydney could only imagine how she’d look in one of Lemon’s custom-made pageant gowns. “But you have a lot more up top and…curves, and…I’m a stick with boy hips and a flat chest.”
Lemon’s eyes flashed. “There is nothing wrong with your figure, and I won’t hear another disparaging word about it. Besides, I know how to sew,” she finished primly.
“Yes ma’am,” Sydney muttered.
“Come to my house tomorrow night at seven, and we’ll find your dress. Brody Lawson won’t know what hit him.”
“It’s not Brody.”
“Not a clue,” Lemon said, clearly ignoring her. “We’re going to make him wish he’d wised up a long time ago.” A beatific smile covered her face. “This year’s auction is going to be history-making.”
Maybe Sydney should go and bid on Brody, shock him and shake things up a bit. Besides, if he didn’t look happy about it, she could always chalk it up to a lark and that the money went to help the families of firemen hurt on the job. So…
And if she was really tired of being the good girl who all the guys wanted to be friends with, then she needed to start being the vixen all the guys wanted. Period. Still, the thought of putting herself out there like that was terrifying.
What if he rejected her?
But, what if he didn’t? “I’ll think about it,” Sydney said.
Lemon squealed. “We’re going to have so much fun!”
“Batter up,” the umpire called out, and both women turned their attention to the game.
A big shadow suddenly blocked her vision. She tipped her head back, back, back, gulping when she realized Brody was standing there.
“I need our lucky bat,” he said, his blue eyes intense as he held out a hand.
Our what? She glanced down at the bat she was spinning between her legs. It was the one she always brought, and one that Brody always used.
“You know I can’t do anything without you—our bat,” he said and cocked his head. “Were y’all talking about the auction?”
Crap, crap, crap! Had he heard them talking about him?
“We were,” Lemon said, a beautiful smile covering her equally beautiful face. “I’m trying to get Sydney to go. Don’t you think she should go?”
Brody cocked a dark brow. “I don’t see why she shouldn’t.”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“Who’s the lucky guy?” he asked, but there was a sharp edge to his words. She couldn’t fathom why…unless he thought she wouldn’t actually win any of the bids. The air between them turned uncomfortable.
She shrugged.
He grunted.
Yeah. Nothing like being uncomfortable around the one person she shouldn’t be.
“Can I’ve have the bat now?”
“Here you go.” She thrust out the bat and almost smacked Brody in the groin. He danced back a little, and she sucked in air between her teeth. Gah. Did she have to be such a klutz right at this moment? She was never klutzy.
Brody winced a little before giving her a strange look. “Thanks.”
As soon as he walked away, Sydney turned to Lemon. “I don’t think he heard us.”
Lemon gave her a sympathetic look. “You said it wasn’t him, remember?”
“Yeah, I did,” she replied weakly and then caved. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to anyone who’s paying attention.”
Which meant that Brody had no clue because he didn’t pay her that type of attention. “Ever wanted the wrong man?” she asked Lemon.
Lemon stared straight ahead, her beautiful smile nowhere to be seen. “Yes.”
Sydney grabbed the younger woman’s hand and squeezed it lightly. “I’m sorry about you and Mark.”
“Me, too.”
“And I’ll bid on you at the auction. It’s not against the rules, is it?” Sydney asked.
“Don’t you dare spend your money on me!” Lemon finally turned to face her. “We will not deviate from the plan.”
“What plan?”
Lemon smiled like a Cheshire Cat. It was both frightening and wonderful. “The one that’s going to land you Brody Lawson.”
Brody waited until the game was over and almost everyone had gone before he approached Sydney. He knew she’d be busy cleaning the dugout, since everyone on the teams took turns. Luckily, Kyle had already taken off. And by luckily—he meant for Kyle, not himself. That kid had flirted so hard with Sydney that Brody had been all off his game today. Okay, so maybe Kyle’s flirting wasn’t the reason, but how Sydney had responded to it.
From his point of view, she had enjoyed it. A lot. Then again, when was the last time a man around here flirted with her? Or ignored his glare when they got a bit too friendly? Honestly, he was an ass for being that way, but old habits were hard to break.
In the beginning, he did it because Sydney was his friend and had no brothers to watch out for her, but over the years—especially the past two—he’d been doing it because he didn’t want anyone to have her when he couldn’t either. And, he liked to believe that the men she’d chosen to go out with weren’t good enough to touch the ground she walked on, much less hold her hand.
But, he could do better. Somehow, some way, he could do better and stop interfering with her love life.
The thought of Sydney’s love life made his jaw clench.
“Want some help?” he asked, unable to stay away a minute longer.
Pausing, she glanced at him over her shoulder. “Sure.”
He began to clean up alongside her, working in comfortable silence for a bit. “Have you seen the new Avengers movie yet?” he asked, knowing full well she hadn’t.
“We’re going together, remember?”
she said, tossing a water bottle into the recycling bin. “Next Saturday.”
“That’s the night of the auction,” he pointed out.
“I planned on going to both. We can go to the matinée instead and still have plenty of time to get ready.” She sat down on the bench and looked up at him, her baby blue eyes vibrant. “Want to be my date to the auction? I’ve never been before, so—”
“I already have a date, but you could come with us.” Smooth, Brody, real smooth. Asking her to be the odd man out was exactly how he should treat his best friend.
She made a face. “I think I’ll pass.”
He exhaled. “Look, about the other day. I hurt your feelings, and I’m sorry. Cherry put me in an awkward spot. We’re friends, and I don’t want anything to come between us.”
Her eyes became downcast. “Yeah, me either,” she said quietly.
He knelt down beside her and hooked a finger under her chin, lifting it up. Her lips were so close to his that he could hardly breathe. He’d never been this close to Sydney in his life, and he never had to fight back the biting need to kiss her before. Not like this.
“You’re a beautiful woman, Syd, and someday, the right man will come along. Nothing and no one will be able to stop him from making you his,” he said.
Her lashes fluttered, her eyes turning dark. Then she blinked. “Except when he figures out I’m better at being friends than anything else.”
“Then don’t give him a chance to see you that way.”
She pulled out of his grip. “It’s not that easy.” Busying herself with the last of the trash, she tossed more bottles into the recycling bin. “Anyway, if you still want to go to the movie with me, meet me there at one. If not, I’ll see you at the auction.”
“I can’t imagine who you’ll bid on,” he said, rubbing his chin.
“Why?” Her blue eyes blazed at him. “Do you expect me to only sit in the audience and not participate?”
Yes. “No.”
“Then I don’t see what your problem is.” Head held high, she attempted to march past him.
He caught her by the shoulders. Man, it felt amazing to touch her. If only he had the excuse to touch her all the time. To kiss her, to be the reason why her lips were swollen and her hair was messy in the morning. He gave himself a mental shake. Best friend. Best friend. There was no way he’d ruin that with her.
“My problem is with my best friend being treated poorly. You know how the auction goes—it’s rigged. I don’t want you to be embarrassed.”
“I didn’t feel embarrassed until right this minute. Besides, how do you know that I don’t already have someone in mind, and he’s very happy about it? And, Lemon is the emcee. She’ll make sure I get who I want.”
“Excuse me?” Who she wanted? Who did she want?
“You heard me. You’re just choosing not to listen.” She made a noise of disbelief. “Our first fight and it’s over this.”
Taken aback by her observation, he let go of her shoulders. “We’re not fighting.” They never fought, even when they had a difference of opinion.
She fisted her hands on her hips, a mutinous expression on her face. “I’m going. You don’t have a say in what I do. So, if you don’t like it, then stay home, Brody Lawson.”
He fought to get control of his rising temper. “Oh, I’ll be there. If only to make sure you don’t do something stupid like bid on Kyle Davidson.”
Face flushing, she gasped. “What?”
“You heard me,” he said, throwing her words back at her. “He’s too young for you, and he’s—”
“Too young for me? Wow.” She shook her head. “First, I’m stupid, and now I’m old. Thanks, buddy.”
This time, he let her march past him without stopping.
Yep, he was a first-rate jerk and selfish to boot. He scrubbed a hand over his face. There had to be some way to make it up to her, even if it meant making sure she had the winning bid on Kyle.
Chapter Five
‡
Sydney’s parents called her just as she was leaving to go to Lemon’s. They always called her together. It used to annoy her, but now, she kind of loved it. And, it was a really good time saver. No more yelling for her mother or father to come talk and then having to wait for that person to pick up the phone. Or accidentally hang up on her and have to call back.
“Sydney, I heard you were going to the Fireman’s Auction,” her mother began without preamble.”
“I am.”
“Remember when you bid on me, darlin’?” her dad said, breaking into their conversation.
“I remember. I spent every last dime in savings to beat out Regina McCoy, though she wasn’t a McCoy at the time,” her mom said proudly.
Sydney blinked, hand on the doorknob. “That’s how y’all met?”
“No, that’s how your daddy found out I wanted to date him.”
“I knew all along.”
“You most certainly did not.”
“Whatever you say, dear.”
Sydney grinned. “You two are a mess.”
“That we are,” her dad laughed. “Anything you need, baby girl? We’re headed to the grocery store, and then the hardware store. I noticed that one of your kitchen lights in the ceiling was out the last time I was over.”
Warmth flooded her. Growing up as an only child, her parents doted on her, maybe even did more than they should for her as an adult, but when she asked them for privacy, they respected that. When she moved out of the house, they helped her find an apartment to rent—though her dad had wanted her to buy a house, instead of throwing her money away as he put it, while her mother would have been content for her to continue to live with them.
“Brody replaced it for me, and he taught me how to fix the leak in the sink.” Just saying his name made butterflies appear in her stomach.
“He’s such a nice boy.”
“Is he the one you’ll be bidding on?”
Before she could answer, her dad cut in. “I hope so. I have some attic work that needs to be done. Not to mention some other odds and ends. There’s this tree I’ve been meaning to take an ax to for firewood.”
Trust her dad to think of the benefits for himself if she won Brody’s time. “If I did bid on him, I wouldn’t win. Cherry McCoy would.”
“She’s such a sweet girl,” her mother sighed. “But, my daughter is sweeter, smarter, and prettier. I say go for it.”
“I’m not—” She blew out a breath. There was no use in disagreeing. It wouldn’t change her mother’s mind. Besides, it came from the heart. “Thank you.”
They said their goodbyes—thankfully, short ones, since her parents could be long-winded—and she headed downstairs to the parking lot. Lemon’s house was only twenty minutes away, and it took no time at all to get there.
Sydney pulled her car around the deeply curved driveway and parked beside a large fountain surrounded by pink and red roses. With a little bit of apprehension making her heart flutter, she strode to the front door and knocked.
Then waited. And waited some more.
Finally, the door opened. A smiling Lemon greeted her. She wore her bright red hair pulled into a sloppy bun and an old t-shirt with a pair of black leggings. There wasn’t a stitch of makeup on her face, but of course, like all McCoy women, she looked beautiful.
“Let’s go to my room. I’ve already picked out a few dresses that I think will work,” she said, indicating Sydney should follow her.
Despite being twenty-four and owning a business, Lemon still lived at home with her parents. Honestly, it was downright strange, since her sisters had moved out as soon as they were eighteen. But, maybe Lemon had really good reasons for staying.
Sydney kept up with her hostess even while she was wide-eyed at the décor and stately size of the home. She was surprised that a butler didn’t answer the door.
“I’m sorry you had to wait for me to answer the door. Farris has the day off and I’d forgotten.” Lemon informed her as they clim
bed the wide staircase. It looked like something out of a movie. She could imagine herself, wearing a ball gown, descending the stairs as a rapt audience looked on.
Brody would be in the back, but as soon as he saw her, he would run to the front and take her hand. He’d proclaim his love and lament over how stupid he was for not doing it sooner.
Cue grand sweeping music.
“Sydney,” Lemon said, a strange look on her face.
Feeling her cheeks grow hot, she sputtered, “Nice staircase?”
“Oh, yeah, it’s totally Cinderella-fantasy inducing,” Lemon said matter-of-factly. She opened a door. “Ready to get your makeover?”
“Uh…” Sydney walked inside Lemon’s room, zeroing in on the rack of dresses first. Then she let her eyes wander. “No tiaras.”
Lemon blushed. “Not out here. I keep them in my closet.”
“You shouldn’t be ashamed,” Sydney said and then she got a glimpse at Lemon’s closet. It was dreamier than the staircase. Vaulted ceilings, wooden shelving, and a marble-topped island in the center. A row of three chandeliers lit up the room.
She kicked off her shoes and walked inside. Under her feet, the carpet felt like a cotton blossom and a marshmallow had gotten married and had babies. “So soft,” she breathed.
“I’m not ashamed,” Lemon said. “It’s an honor to be Jessamine’s Watermelon and Cotton Queen.”
Sydney snapped out of her daze. “Sorry, I just assumed that, um…”
“That I’d wear a tiara all the time?”
“Well…”
The corner of Lemon’s mouth quirked. “I like to wear one when I’m taking a bubble bath.”
Sydney burst out laughing. “Who wouldn’t?”
Lemon gently grabbed one from its velvet pillow. “Let’s try this one on you.” Sydney dipped down a little so that Lemon could place it on her head. “There. Don’t you look gorgeous.”
It wasn’t a question. Sydney looked at her reflection and shut her eyes and opened them again. “Wow. If I were you, I’d wear one every day. Even to church.”
“My mother would agree with you.” She took the tiara off Sydney’s head and placed it back on the pillow. “Ready to try on dresses?”
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