She looked down at Jake’s hand on hers, so warm and strong, the pads of his fingers callused. “It looks like you do a lot of ranch work,” she said, turning over his hand, then moving hers away.
“Not nearly as much as I used to,” he said with a chuckle. “My dad tells me I’m getting soft.”
“You don’t look soft,” Sydney said, before clamping her mouth shut. “I mean... I don’t know what I mean. Forget I said anything.”
Jake gazed at her, the gray of his eyes clear and glimmering. “Let’s go eat.”
He opened his door and grabbed the bags of food. Before he could come around the truck and open her door, Sydney climbed out and joined him on the sidewalk. As they entered the condo, Sydney braced herself to feel the pain all over again, yet she only felt an echo of it. Inside she felt hollow, but she also wasn’t alone. She’d made the hard phone calls, and her friends were on their way to see her. She’d get through this no matter how hard it might be.
Jake set the bags on the kitchen table, and Sydney tried not to think of the times she and Rian had eaten there. Mostly they’d gone out, but it was always fun to eat in as well.
While Jake grabbed some drinks out of the fridge, Sydney set out the containers and opened all of the lids.
“You bought a lot of food,” she said. “I mean, I know you said you were hungry, but—”
“But what?” Jake said in an amused tone, coming to stand close to her. He set down a couple of forks and napkins, along with two water bottles. He turned to her and smiled. “You don’t think I can put this away.”
It was the first full smile she’d seen of Jake’s, and it made her want to sit down so she could breathe better. She took one of the chairs. “I guess we’ll see,” she said, telling herself that she really needed to clear her mind. Her brain was doing crazy things right now.
She focused on the food and putting a little of everything on her plate. The first bite of chicken massaman was delicious, and soon she was caught up in the good food and surprisingly comfortable company.
“Are you from Santa Rosa?” Jake asked after he’d taken several bites, followed by a swig from his water bottle.
Sydney told him about growing up with the best parents a girl could ever ask for, and how she’d been class valedictorian and homecoming queen in high school, but how that sometimes separated her from having genuine friends. “June was new to the school, and she and Maria and I were put into the same study group. The three of us hit it off and ended up going to Washington University together. June’s an accountant in Portland, and Maria does marketing in Seattle. Me... I’m lucky to have them as friends, even though I hate living so far away from them.”
“Sometimes friends can be better than family,” Jake said.
“Yeah, although if my parents had their way, I’d be married with a couple of grandkids for them,” she said, feeling a deep sorrow start to churn inside. The feeling was unexpected. She and Rian had talked about kids, of course, and he’d been eager to have at least one baby. But it wasn’t until this moment that Sydney realized she’d lost that dream too.
“Are your friends married?” Jake asked in a light tone, as if trying to bring her back from another round of tears.
“Not yet,” Sydney said. “Both are in serious relationships, though, and I was going to be the first—” She cut herself off. “I don’t know about men, but women seem to have this ticking clock inside of them that starts shooting alarms off around the age of twenty-four.”
“You can’t be much older than that.” Jake studied her with raised brows.
Sydney shrugged. “Twenty-six. How about you?”
“Uh...”
“You don’t know your own age?” Sydney said, smiling at him.
“I’m way past the ticking-clock age,” Jake said.
“Rian is twenty-eight, so you’re, what? Thirty?”
“Thirty-two,” Jake said. “And Rian’s thirty.”
Sydney shouldn’t have been surprised. It seemed that Rian hadn’t told her much of the truth about anything. “Your parents must be hounding you.”
“You could say that,” Jake said with a wink.
Sydney felt a spot of heat spread up her neck until it was a full blush. The curry was pretty hot, she decided. “So, no wife or kids?” she asked.
Jake set down his fork and took a long swallow of water. Sydney couldn’t help watching his tanned throat move as he drank, and she looked away before he caught her stare.
“There was a woman—Charlotte—a couple of years ago,” Jake said finally. “We were engaged, but it didn’t work out.”
It was Sydney’s turn to raise her brows. “Found out you were a gold digger, did she?”
He laughed, and Sydney laughed too. It felt really good.
“Actually, she was entranced by the rancher’s life, at least at first,” he said. “But when it came down to it, she preferred her city life.”
“Ah,” Sydney said. “And you wouldn’t give up the ranch for love.”
“Something like that,” Jake conceded. “It all made me realize that maybe I didn’t care for her as much as I thought I did. I could imagine living at the ranch without her, but not living in the city with her. If that makes sense.”
“It does,” Sydney said. She looked down at her empty plate. “This was really good. Thanks for bullying me into it.”
“It seemed you needed someone to boss you into eating,” he said.
When she looked up, he was smiling at her.
It had been a really long day, but even though it was now well past dinner time, Sydney was still sitting on Rian’s couch, talking to Jake. He’d told her about his childhood, and how Rian was always the risk taker. Jake was the steady sort of kid, more serious, more cautious. He had told her all he could remember about Rian’s other marriages. Jake had never met any of the women, until Sydney, but it seemed that she was the youngest of the lot.
Sydney also told Jake more about herself. What she liked about Santa Rosa, how much she loved her job, but how she missed her parents and close friends. “Rian filled that emptiness inside of me,” she admitted. “Maybe I was lonely... I don’t know. I had never really considered that we’d break up, but now that it’s over, I feel more betrayed than heartbroken.”
“And that surprises you?” Jake asked.
“Yeah, I mean, I figure I must have been in love with him,” Sydney said. “Or why else would I agree to marry him?”
Jake grimaced. “The heart is a strange thing. I thought I was in love with Charlotte too. But maybe I was staring loneliness in the face with my parents getting older.”
Sydney blinked. Was that what had happened with Rian? She was so caught up in getting married, living the rest of her life with someone, that she didn’t think to find out more about his background? Looking back now, she realized that whenever they discussed it, Rian had given her a really short answer, then changed the subject.
Her cell phone buzzed with a text from June. I’m at your place, are you home?
Sydney looked up at Jake. “My friend June is at my place. I’ve got to go.” She stood, and Jake stood at well.
“I guess I’ll see you later,” she said, feeling awkward. She’d felt as if she’d spilled a lot of personal things to Jake, and now she wondered if she’d ever see him again.
“If you’d like, I can keep you updated on Rian,” Jake said. “I don’t want to interfere too much. And if your friends want to talk, I’m happy to do that as well.”
“How long are you staying?” Sydney asked, glancing around at the condo.
“I’ll box up his personal stuff and stick it in a storage unit here in town,” Jake said. “I don’t want anything of his, and I don’t want my parents to worry about it. Whoever buys the lease can keep the furniture. Unless you want something.”
Sydney emphatically shook her head.
He nodded, and before she could understand or explain how it happened, he pulled her into his arms for a tight hug. His e
mbrace felt good, strong and sure, and like he really cared.
“Again, I’m so sorry,” Jake said, his voice rumbling against her. “I know I keep saying that, but it’s true.”
“I’m sorry too,” Sydney said and drew away. Something inside her tugged her toward him again, but she forced herself to keep her distance and take a step back so she wouldn’t be tempted to return to his embrace. “I’m sorry for your parents, and for you.” She lifted a shoulder. “For me too, but I’ll get over it.”
He held her gaze for a moment, then turned and opened the front door for her.
She walked out of the door, neither of them saying another word, but she felt his gaze on her until she climbed into the car and drove away.
By the time she reached her apartment building, she felt teary again, but this time it wasn’t really for her own sorry experience, but for what Jake must face when he returned to the ranch and informed his parents that their youngest son had left the country.
June was sitting in her car and climbed out as soon as Sydney pulled up. June wore black yoga pants and a pale green jacket. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail. This was a casual look for June, who spent her days in a corporate accounting office.
Sydney hurried to hug her friend, then drew back and said, “Thanks for coming.”
“Where were you?” June asked. “I was worried.”
“I was talking to Rian’s brother, Jake, the guy I told you about.”
They continued to Sydney’s place. “You were okay being alone with him?”
“He’s so different from his brother.”
June gave her a sharp look.
“What?” Sydney asked.
June hesitated, then shook her head. “Nothing.” Her phone rang, and she answered it. “Hi Maria. I just got here... yes, that sounds great.” She looked over at Sydney as she unlocked her apartment door. “Maria’s going to grab some death-defying fried food and shakes.”
“Sounds good,” Sydney said with a laugh.
“She said yes,” June said.
The last time Sydney had been inside her place, her world had been seemingly perfect. Now it was completely upside down.
“I’m going to change,” Sydney said. “Make yourself comfortable, and when Maria gets here, I’ll tell you guys everything.”
Sydney walked into her bedroom and flipped on the light, then crossed the room and closed the blinds. On top of her dresser were several bridal catalogs and magazines. She’d have to throw all of that out now. As she changed, she wondered if she should help Jake in the morning. He’d have to move a lot of stuff, and he might put things in storage that could really be thrown out. Of course, if Sydney helped him, she might get too zesty and throw everything out.
Smiling to herself, she opened her closet door to find a comfy t-shirt. It was strange that she’d just had the shock of her life, and here she was, looking forward to seeing Jake and perhaps even exchanging a few more Rian stories. Easy, girl, Sydney warned herself. Jake might be sweet, caring, and understanding... and really good-looking... but he was the jerk’s brother and pretty much married to his ranch.
Besides, how stupid was it to be attracted to the brother of a man who’d dumped her? She’d been attracted to Rian... did that make her a freak? Now that she’d met Jake though, she could see all Rian was missing. She sent Jake a text: I don’t work tomorrow because I was planning on getting wedding stuff done, but it seems my time has freed up. Do you want help packing up Rian’s stuff?
He replied a few seconds later: I’d love it.
The doorbell rang, and Sydney left her bedroom. Maria had arrived with sacks of fast food that smelled divine. Maria’s dark curls were pulled back in a clip, making her look elegant, as always. She grinned when she saw Sydney and set down the bags to give her a fierce hug.
“I want all the dirt!” Maria announced.
June laughed from the kitchen, where she was gathering plates.
Sydney couldn’t help but smile. “You’ll get all the dirt and more, I promise.”
“And you have to tell us more about Jake,” June said, coming into the living room.
“Jake? The brother?” Maria asked, her brows shooting up.
“First things, first,” Sydney said. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.” And she was. The Thai food she’d shared with Jake had been hours ago, and all of this emotional turmoil had suddenly made her feel ravenous.
They ate in the living room, sitting on the couch and balancing the plates on their knees. The combination of hot French fries, fresh cheeseburgers, and strawberry milkshakes was more than perfect. Sydney told them everything that had happened that day, from trying on her gorgeous wedding dress, to meeting a grumpy Jake who’d turned out to be a godsend.
“I don’t know what I would have done if Rian had dropped off the face of the earth without any explanation,” Sydney told her friends.
“Wow,” Maria said. “From everything you’ve told us, Jake is like a knight in shining armor.”
“Too bad he’s Rian’s brother,” Sydney mused, mostly to herself.
June and Maria exchanged a glance, and Sydney said, “What was that for?”
“Umm, Sydney,” Maria started. “You’re sort of glowing right now. What’s up with this Jake guy?”
If Sydney had been glowing, now she was blushing. “Nothing is up. We just spent all day together, and let’s say he’s the real deal.”
Both Maria’s and June’s mouths fell open.
“Not like that,” Sydney said. “I’m not going to be dating anyone for a really long time. But there’s something to be said for a guy who’s decent and honest.”
“Of course,” Maria said, but she was still staring at Sydney as if Sydney might be losing her mind.
Which could very well be the case. “Anyway,” Sydney continued. “You guys can meet him. I’m going over to Rian’s place in the morning to help Jake box everything up. Jake’s going to put it into a storage unit, then probably throw away the key.”
“I’m in,” Maria said immediately.
“Me too,” June said, a secretive smile on her face. “Wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
Sydney and her friends talked long into the night, and when Sydney finally tumbled into bed, she found another text from Jake: Everything go ok with your friends?
It was after midnight, but Sydney sent a reply: Yep, they’re great. Thanks for asking.
Jake’s answer came quickly: Good to hear. See you soon.
Sydney fell asleep with a smile.
“That’s pretty much everything,” Jake said, hoisting the final box they’d packed onto his shoulder.
Sydney put her hands on her hips, telling herself not to stare at his muscled shoulders and arms as he loaded the boxes into his truck. She and Maria and June had been cleaning the condo as Jake carried everything they’d deemed salvageable out. “That went faster than I thought.”
“Yeah, thanks for your help.” Jake looked past her to the kitchen, where Maria and June were wiping down cupboards and counters. Jake tilted his head. “Can I talk to you outside for a second?”
“Sure,” Sydney said, glancing over her at her friends. They hadn’t seemed to hear Jake’s request, which might be a good thing. They’d given her plenty of questioning looks all morning. When Maria had first seen Jake, she’d whispered, “Wow, I get it now.” June had followed up with, “You’re in trouble.”
Sydney had brushed off their comments and set to work. Jake was easygoing and easy to work with. It was clear he was no stranger to hard labor, and the packing went quickly. She’d found herself laughing more than once at something Jake said about his brother. Each laugh helped ease the pain.
Sydney followed Jake to the truck, where he set down the box he carried on top of the others.
“So, I was thinking last night...” he started, turning to face Sydney. The collar of his t-shirt was damp with sweat, and he was slightly out of breath.
Sydney’s pulse twinged as she
met his gaze. “Yes?”
He stared at her for a second, blinked a couple of times, then said, “Uh, I was thinking that if you wanted, since it’s the weekend, you could come out to the ranch with me.”
It was Sydney’s turn to stare. “Why would I do that?” She cringed at her own comment, but it was what she was wondering.
Jake ran his hand through his hair, messing it up more than it already was. “Right. Good question.” He looked away, then back at her, his eyes a dark gray. Not stormy, but intent. “Because I want my parents to meet you. They’ll have questions that I haven’t thought about asking you, and I think it would help soften the... shock. Rian’s not only left you, but he’s left all of us.”
Sydney nodded. It made sense, so why were her thoughts betraying her and telling her that Jake really wanted to spend more time with her? That was ridiculous. Of course he was dreading bringing all of this news back to his parents. “It’s an hour away?”
“Yeah,” Jake said. “You could follow me out. It’s up to you if you want to stay overnight or not. There’s plenty of room, of course, and you might enjoy taking a break from work and everything going on.”
“Could my friends come too?”
“Maria and June?” Jake asked, looking surprised, and a bit pale.
Sydney laughed. “I’m kidding.”
“Good,” he said. “Because I think it would be easier to get to know you better without an entourage.”
“You want to get to know me better?” she asked, her heart thumping.
He merely gazed at her for a moment, and when she was about to break into a sweat, he said, “I do.”
She folded her arms and leaned against the side of the truck, suppressing a satisfied smile. “I’m not opposed to seeing your ranch. When are you heading out?”
He folded his own arms and leaned against the truck, only a short distant from her. “First thing in the morning. I still need to unload this truck and turn in the condo keys to the office. But I can wait until Sunday if you need more time.”
Falling for Sydney Page 3
