Because of Sydney

by T. A. Foster

  I laughed. “I just want to make the girl happy.”

  “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He tipped a cold bottle to his lips.

  Eden handed a beer to me out of the bucket on the table. It was icy. “Can you believe the wedding is in three months? Three months.”

  “No, seems quick,” I replied.

  She spoke hurriedly as if she expected Grey to argue with me. She wasn’t completely off-base. We argued a lot. It was hard not to with our history.

  “Ever since December it seems like all we’ve done is wedding planning. Marin has been amazing since she and Pick just did this a year ago, but still, I wasn’t really sure what I was doing.”

  “I’m sure it will be great. I’m looking forward to seeing North Carolina again.”

  “What about Taylor?” Eden slowed her words. “Are you excited to see her?”

  “We always had a good time together. It will be good to see her.” Eden couldn’t help that they were best friends, but this line of questioning was transparent.

  “And that’s it, Mason?”

  “That’s it. I’ve moved on. I’m sure she has to.”

  Eden crossed her arms. “Of course she’s moved on. Why wouldn’t she move on? But the question is who have you moved on with? Someone in Dallas?”

  I took a sip.

  Grey interrupted. “I’m going to go ask Mac something. I’ll be right back.” He pecked her on the cheek and walked inside the bar.

  “So? Who is she?” Eden leaned forward, her eyes lighting.

  “I didn’t say there was one girl.”

  She slapped my arm. “You’re such a jerk. Hooking up with a bunch of different women doesn’t count as moving on.”

  “It does for me.” I raised my eyebrows and smiled, knowing she was about to slap me again.

  “I don’t get why you and Taylor broke up. Christmas was fun wasn’t it?”

  I sat my empty bottle on the edge of the table and reached in the bucket for a second round. “Sweetheart, Taylor is a great girl, but it wasn’t going to last. She wants what you and Grey have, and it wasn’t fair to her to drag it out. I was trying to do the right thing.” I twisted the top off the beer and tossed it on the table. “I couldn’t lead her on.”

  Eden huffed. “But the wedding is going to be awkward for you. She’s my maid of honor. And you’re standing up with Grey. Wait.” Her eyes filled with panic. “You’re still standing up with Grey aren’t you?”

  I placed my hand on top of hers. “Yes. Yes. I wouldn’t back out of that. I promise I won’t make it awkward with Taylor. I’m a drama-free kind of guy, right?”

  She finally smiled. “You are. If you could patch up things with Grey I guess I shouldn’t worry.”

  “That’s right. If we could go from trying to rip each other’s throats out to drinking beer at Pete’s, you should have a little faith in me. I can handle Taylor. Any woman for that matter.”

  I thought about where Grey and I had been a year ago. I had walked into the Palm Palace office ready to tear it from his hands and demolish it into a pit of rubble. I had sued him for complete ownership of the motel. It wasn’t the best family introduction, but it was the only one I knew.

  My father had betrayed both of us. He may have kept me hidden as the family’s dirty secret, but I had emerged on top.

  I looked up from the table. Eden was watching me.

  “I get Taylor’s not the girl for you, so tell me your type.” She leaned on her elbows.

  “Why? So you can set me up with one of these island girls? One of Marin’s friends?” I shook my head. “Not interested.”

  “You like blondes or brunettes better? Athletic? Smart? Oh, what about someone in the business world? You could hash out business negotiations together. That sounds like you.”

  I shook my head. “That is definitely not happening.”

  “Then who? Who are you looking for?” The smile dropped from her face.

  “All I’m interested in is a little fun. I have enough to keep me busy.”

  “Come on, Mason. You are working yourself to death. Driving between here and Dallas, flying all over the place. You need someone in your life. You need more than fun. You need a girl.”

  “What I need right now is for this project to go through.” I looked around for Grey. He might be the only who could save me from her inquisition.

  “Beach Combers Cove?”

  “The one and only. It’s my next project. The deal was accepted before I walked in here. Now I have to get through the red tape.”

  “I guess the good part is that we’ll be seeing more of you. I know you’ll stay close by if the deal is that big.”

  “You don’t give up do you?”

  “No. You are the only family Grey has. And even if it’s unconventional, I think you two need each other.”

  “I’d say it’s unconventional. I’m his uncle, and we’re the same age.”

  She pulled another beer from the ice. “Family is family and neither of you are responsible for the choices your parents made. What matters is you know you’re family. That’s not going to change. I think spending time together is a good thing for both of you.”

  “Then why is my nephew spending all his time in there while we’re out here?” I turned to see what was taking Grey so long.

  “Damn it,” I whispered. “She’s as bad as you are.”

  “Who is that?” Eden was staring at Grey and the gorgeous brunette standing next to him.

  “That is a problem.” I took a swig of beer and stood from the table. “I’ll be right back.”

  I left Eden sitting at the table and walked toward the bar where Grey was talking to Sydney Paige.

  “Miss Paige, third time today?”

  Grey took a step back, shoving his hands in his pocket. “I was explaining to your friend here that I’m not a part of your business or company.”

  “Thanks. I can handle this. I’ll be back out there in a minute.”

  Grey took the hint and rejoined Eden at the table.

  I faced the reporter who had been hounding me all day. “I think this may qualify as grounds for a restraining order.”

  Her face turned a shade of white. “I’m not stalking you. I’m trying to do my job.”

  I chuckled. “Are you sure about that?”

  “I did some more research and found an article from the spring about your condo conversion at the Palm Palace and thought I’d talk to Grey Lachlan, who I discovered is also your nephew? That is crazy confusing.”

  “My family is off limits. Stories about my family are off limits. Grey doesn’t work for Lachlan Corporation.”

  “But he’s one of your business partners, right?” she asked. “I have the right to ask him questions about your business relationship.”

  I grabbed her upper arm and moved her closer to the door. Mac was watching us.

  “Ouch. What are you doing?” she squeaked.

  I lowered my voice. “For the last time. I do not grant interviews. My family life is not your concern.”

  I expected her to turn for the door, but instead she rose on her toes, her nose almost tapping mine. “I have a right to be here. And I have a right to ask questions. Have you ever heard of the first amendment?”

  I could feel the heat of her breath rush over my cheek.

  “I don’t give a shit about the first amendment, Miss Paige.” My pulse quickened. She wasn’t backing down. Her lips, the full ones I had been studying all day, were within inches of mine. Her eyes fired with hints of amber.

  “Then you have no comment on Commissioner Rodriguez’s press release?”

  “What press release?”

  This close to her I could study her eyes. Her lashes were long and silky. Her eyes were almost green, but they looked dark under the bar lights. The hazel colors blended together. I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to touch her.

  She settled back on her heels. “Commissioner Rodriguez released a statement at five o’clock announcing sh
e is going to block any new development on the island. Would you like to respond?”

  “I don’t comment on political stories.”

  “Good God. Don’t you comment on anything? You must have an opinion on something. She’s trying to kill the land deal you made today. You have to care about that.”

  “I’ve never lost a deal.” I smiled.

  “What if this is your first?” she prodded.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Your first deal that goes under. Have you thought about the possibility that you may have spent millions that you’ll never be able to recoup?”

  God, she was annoying. Sort of like a bee buzzing around my head, needling me for answers; only she diverted my answers with those legs and lips, and the breasts that kept playing peek-a-boo behind the open collar of her shirt.

  “Miss Paige, I don’t make bad deals. I do my research. And if you had done yours you would know that I don’t grant interviews. I’m going to return to my table now, drink a beer, and try to forget this unpleasant exchange. Have a good night.”

  “Wait.” I didn’t expect her to tug on my arm. “One quote. Please. I can’t go back to my editor with nothing. She’s going to fire me.”

  I turned to face her. The determined look was gone and had been replaced with utter hopelessness.

  “Fired?” I questioned.

  She nodded. “I’ve already missed my deadline. This story is going to cost me my job.” She sat in an empty chair. “I know you don’t care with your millions of dollars.” She threw her hands in the air. “But this is my first job. I can’t get fired. I hate it here, but this is home until I move. I mean until I get promoted or picked up for something better. If anyone can understand moving up, it should be you.” She looked at me.

  I sat next to her, fighting the urge to run my fingers through her hair. This girl was a total mess, but right now she was the most beautiful mess I had ever seen.

  “I never had anything given to me.” The words sounded bitter on my tongue. “I worked hard. I still work hard every day.”

  “Maybe the people on the island should know that. That you’re like them—you’ve struggled for what you have. They could relate to someone like you.” She blinked back tears. “Please let me help you tell some of this story.”

  Mac was no longer watching us. I felt the muscles in my shoulders relax.

  What were the chances I would run into her three times today? And each time I reacted the same way. Thrown off by her body, but even more interested in how she didn’t back down. She challenged me without even thinking about it.

  “Tell me something.”

  “What do you want to know?” There was a fire behind her eyes. Her words always quick as if she was able to guess my next move.

  “How did you find Grey at the bar?”

  Her lashes were damp from light tears. Her skin glistened and I felt myself leaning closer, anxious to feel her breath dance against my cheek again. Her voice in my ear.

  “I stopped by the Palm Palace office. When he wasn’t there I asked a couple at the pool. They said he always walked over to Pete’s Bar after work.”

  I rubbed my jawline. My rule was getting crushed under her pouty stare. She didn’t know what she was doing, but I did.

  “All right.”

  “All right, what?” She chewed on her bottom lip, and I knew exactly how I wanted the rest of the night to play out.

  “Come have a beer with us.”

  “You want me to drink with you? But I thought you said it was family time.”

  “It will be fun. You’ve already met Grey. You can meet my future niece-in-law. We can have a few drinks, then you can ask your questions. But no business-talk at the table. Agreed?”

  “Why are you doing this? You feel sorry for me?”

  I shrugged. “Maybe, but you have a point. I need this land acquisition today to be a success, and I need the people of South Padre to be on board with it. So, I’ll grant you one interview tonight. Only one, though.”

  “Why don’t we go ahead now with the interview?” She reached into her bag and withdrew a pad of paper. “I can file my story and then we can have a drink.”

  I took the pad from her. Her eyes turned frantic. “These are the conditions. One interview after we have some drinks with my family. Take it or leave it.”

  I knew she wouldn’t walk away from this. I had never granted an exclusive interview. She knew she was sitting on the kind of scoop that could launch her career.

  She paused. “I just need to make a phone call.”

  “I’ll see you at the table.”

  I walked toward the patio, knowing I had broken my number one rule.

  It was manipulative and conniving, but I was out of options. I didn’t expect him to actually fall for it. I pushed down the guilt growing in my stomach. This wasn’t the kind of reporter I wanted to be, but I couldn’t afford to be an out of work journalist either. I was surprised when the tears surfaced. I blamed the heat and the fear of losing my job.

  I dialed the after-hours number at the office. Alice was still there. She answered after a few rings.

  “Alice Compton speaking.”

  “Hey, it’s Sydney.”

  “You’re late. Over an hour past deadline. I’m afraid you didn’t take our earlier conversation very seriously.”

  “Wait, Alice I have an exclusive.” I smiled at the bartender. He was busy polishing pilsners, but I thought he had an ear extended my direction.

  “What kind of exclusive? You already missed the scoop on the land sale. Two other sites beat us to it.”

  “Mason Lachlan has agreed to an interview.” I held my breath. This was the only card I had to play to keep my job.

  “He’s going to let you interview him?” She laughed. “I don’t know if I can believe that. He never does interviews. Believe me. We’ve tried.”

  “It’s true. I’m with him right now and we’re getting ready to start the interview.” She didn’t need the exact timeline. She also didn’t need to know he had invited me for drinks. I had entered a murky gray area where my journalistic ethics were concerned.

  “Holy shit. This is big, Sydney. How did you manage that?”

  I breathed for the first time realizing she wasn’t going to fire me tonight. “I’ve been working on it all day. That’s why I missed the first deadline.”

  “I’m impressed you could gain access to him.”

  “Thanks. I’m going to work on the story tonight, and I’ll have it submitted in the morning. First thing. I promise.”

  “I expect to see it in my inbox before I have my first cup of coffee,” she warned.

  “Not a problem. I won’t sleep tonight until I have the full story.”

  “That’s what I need to hear. Good luck.”

  I turned my ringer to vibrate and shoved my phone into my bag. I didn’t want any distractions. I couldn’t let anything ruin this chance.

  I walked out onto the patio with a smile plastered on my face.

  Mason was sitting with Grey, who I had met earlier, and the girl he had mentioned.

  “There she is.” He stood. “Sydney Paige, meet Eden and you’ve already introduced yourself to Grey.” I heard his admonishing tone.

  The tall blonde stood to shake my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You too. Mason said you write for the News & Record?”

  “Yes, the online magazine. I started there in May.”

  “Cool. I was a business major at Carolina. I try to keep up with business trends when I can. How did you get that beat? Did you double major in business?”

  God, that would have at least made some kind of sense. I had nothing under my belt other than a terrible economics class sophomore year.

  I sat in between Mason and Eden. “When I graduated I started applying everywhere. The online business journal at the Record was hiring so it just kind of worked out. I drove down a week after graduation with nothing but what could fit in my car.”

&nb
sp; She laughed. “I get that. You could say my current job just kind of worked out too.”

  She looked at Grey, and I caught the emotional current passing between them. It was tangible. The hues from the sunset caught the corner of her ring and the sparkle landed on the table.

  “That’s a beautiful ring,” I admired.

  “Thank you. Grey proposed at Christmas.” She held it out so I could examine it more closely. “It was a complete surprise.”

  I looked at her fiancé. I could see the family resemblance between him and Mason. They both had broad shoulders, defined jawlines and I wasn’t sure I had ever seen piercing eyes like that before. The Lachlan men were a dangerous combination. I blushed, knowing my mind was traveling to some dirty places.

  “When’s the wedding?” I asked.

  “October. It’s going to be in North Carolina. That’s where I’m from.”

  “Sydney just graduated from Longmire,” Mason added.

  Eden looked impressed. “Wow. Virginia. You’re a long from home too. We Southern sisters are going to need to stick together, don’t you think?” She passed a beer to me.

  I nodded. It was the closest gesture of open friendship I had had since I moved here. “Definitely.”

  I could feel Mason’s eyes on me. Those sparkly, bright blue eyes. The guys didn’t seem to mind that we talked about bridesmaid dresses and hairstyles. They drank their beers, and we all watched the sun go down.

  I missed this—nights filled with conversation instead of my DVR. I had started to worry I wouldn’t meet people on the island, although technically meeting the family of a source didn’t qualify as me getting out in the social scene. I had to remind myself of that. No matter how edible he looked, Mason was a source.

  The sky around us grew dark. “Darlin’, what do you say we head home?” Grey’s hand landed on Eden’s knee.

  “That sounds good to me.” I saw her throw a glance at Mason. I needed an interpreter. “Nice meeting you, Sydney. We’ll have to get together later.”

  “I’d like that. With my schedule I haven’t had a chance to meet anyone here.”

  “Well, we can definitely fix that.” She jotted her number on one of the cocktail napkins. I did the same and handed it to her.