Her Second Chance Dream Groom

by Emma St Clair

  Sy stared down at the photos, clearly taken candidly by people at different points on his date with Amy the day before. One photo showed Sy and Amy laughing, mini golf clubs in hand. There were a few at lunch, which made it look much more intimate than it was. They looked like a real couple, enjoying themselves. They almost looked like they were in love.

  Emotion tugged at Sy’s chest as he scrolled back up to the top of the article. The headline read: Has the Perpetual Bachelor Finally Been Tamed? Hot Photos from Date with Mystery Woman!

  He closed his eyes. Had Amy seen these? Sy didn’t know how she would feel about their private date being so exposed. Heck, he didn’t even know how she felt about him.

  A second question hit him and Sy sucked in a breath. Had Delia seen this?

  Sy kept meaning to call her and explain that he wasn’t interested, just to clear the air. But somehow, between his date with Amy, harassing her other date, and then the work this morning, he had forgotten.

  “Are you dating her?” Easton asked. “You seem confused.”

  “I am. Maybe? It’s complicated.” Sy handed back the phone.

  Elton shoved the phone in his pocket, then punched Sy in the shoulder. “Complicated or genius. I’m curious how you blew into town two days ago, talking all about Delia, then end up dating her sister. Better choice, by the way. I was kind of hoping for that when I sent you here.” Elton wiggled his eyebrows at Sy, who groaned and covered his face in his hands.

  He collapsed into a chair. “I think maybe I screwed up.”

  “It wouldn’t be the first time.” Elton laughed and Sy shot him a glare.

  “How so?” Easton asked, sitting down across the table from Sy.

  “Amy and I aren’t dating. At least, not officially. We went on a date yesterday. We were supposed to go out today, but she disappeared on me. I wonder if maybe she saw this and bolted?” Sy frowned, trying to think about what Amy’s reaction might have been to these articles. “I should message her and give her a heads up in case she hasn’t been online.”

  Elton perched on the edge of the table. “Maybe I’m dense, but I haven’t seen how you screwed up. Sounds like things are going well, other than Amy going missing today. Something probably just came up. If she’s mad about this, I think you’ve more than made up for whatever you might have done.” Elton tapped one of the pergola’s posts.

  “The complication is Delia.”

  Both twins grimaced. Sy wanted to laugh at how similar their expressions were. But nothing about this was funny. “We had dinner at their house the other night. I apologized to Delia. But I think she thought there was something more going on between us.”

  Elton rolled his eyes. “I know what she saw: a meal ticket and a free ride to stardom and fame.”

  “She’s not that bad,” Sy said. But he didn’t know why he was defending Delia. Elton wasn’t that far off. She had made him feel used, even in the hour or two he spent with her. She definitely wasn’t into him for his personality, that was for sure. “I was supposed to talk to her yesterday and make it clear that we weren’t dating.”

  “Because you want to date her sister,” Easton said.

  “Yep. And now, according to the public, I am dating Amy. But Delia might think …”

  “That you’re two-timing her with her own sister. Boy, you really stepped in it this time,” Elton said.

  “How do I fix it?”

  “What you should have done in the first place,” Easton said. “Call Delia and be very clear about your intentions, both with her and with Amy. Better do it now before she sees this and rains fire down on you.”

  Sy licked his lips and leaned his elbows on his knees, looking down at the cement floor. “I don’t know what my intentions are yet. I’ve had a great time with Amy, but I don’t know what she wants. And can I even do that? I mean, I liked her sister for years. Delia is interested in me. Or, interested in what I can do for her. This sounds like one of those awful TV shows with the confusing love triangles that ends in hair-pulling and name-calling.”

  Worry moved around in his gut. Maybe he was being paranoid. Or maybe he was overthinking this. Technically, he wasn’t in a relationship with either sister. But it was entirely possible that they both thought they were in a relationship with him. This really was an even bigger mess than prom night.

  “You need to learn your shapes. It’s not a love triangle if you aren’t interested in Delia. Triangle implies you’re torn in your decision between two people. This is more like a straight line between you and Amy, with Delia trying to intersect it with her own line.”

  Easton choked out a laugh. “Have you been watching Lifetime movies again?”

  “Hey, don’t knock Lifetime Christmas movies. Gets me in the Christmas spirit. Anyway, I call it like I see it,” Elton said, shrugging. “I stand by it. Not a triangle.”

  “Maybe not. But still—sisters. I didn’t technically ever date Delia.”

  “You just crushed on her throughout high school,” Elton said.

  “Yeah. Is that a deal breaker? I mean, Amy seemed cool with it, but now this feels like a disaster waiting to happen. Have you guys ever liked the same girl or had something like this? Would it change things for you?”

  The twins exchanged a glance. “No,” Easton said, just as Elton said, “Yes.” Then they glared at each other.

  “Great. That’s helpful. Thanks.” Sy covered his face with his hands.

  “Just be honest,” Easton said. “You can’t know how Amy or Delia will react until you talk to them.”

  “So, you think if I just call Delia, that would smooth things over?”

  The twins exchanged a glance. “Sure,” Elton said, just as Easton said, “Hopefully.”

  Sy tossed his water bottle at Elton. “Thanks for that vote of confidence. Are we about done here? I should probably make that call before Amy gets home. Or before Delia sees this and calls her—or both.”

  “We’re done for the day,” Easton said. “Great idea. I know she’ll love it.”

  Elton slapped Sy on the back. “E and I will clean up and then get out of here. We’d both prefer to avoid the battle of the sisters. If there is one.”

  “Me too,” Sy muttered, walking inside the house.

  “Good luck,” Elton called.

  Sy paced through the living room, his heart beating faster with every step he took. Would Delia understand? Would she be angry? Would Amy be upset that he hadn’t done this sooner?

  Sighing, he called Delia. She had plugged her number into his phone the other night at dinner, and now he was glad.

  “Hello?”

  “Delia, it’s Sy.”

  There was a pause. Her voice was cool when she spoke. “Hello, Sy.”

  “Hi.” He cleared his throat. “So, I wanted to call after the other night and explain and then … I guess I got distracted.”

  “By dating my sister?”

  So, she’d definitely seen the article. Or maybe talked to Amy? “That and other things. But yes, Amy and I went on a date. I … like her. The other night at dinner—”

  “The other night at dinner, you acted like you liked me. Now, suddenly, you like Amy? I think it’s best if we both stay away from you.”

  Anger burned in his chest and Sy worked to control his voice. “You misunderstood the other night. I didn’t try to lead you on. I think that you just saw what you wanted to see.”

  Delia laughed. “Sure. I saw the guy who had been in love with me for years acting the same way he always had around me. What was I supposed to think?”

  “Delia, the only thing I did to lead you on was not to shut you down immediately. I should have been more clear. None of my actions should have made you think that I was interested.”

  “Whatever. It doesn’t matter now.”

  Sy’s stomach dropped. “Why doesn’t it matter, Delia?” Elton stuck his head inside the back door, waving his phone with a serious face. “Hang on.” Sy put a hand over the phone and spoke to Elton. �
��What? I have Delia on the phone.”

  “You should probably see this, then.”

  Elton crossed the room, holding up his phone so Sy could see it. There was a new article, this time with a photo of Delia, looking heavily made up and serious. Next to it was a picture of Sy and Delia from back in high school on her porch swing. He remembered the night, surprisingly. She had been dating someone else, but the photograph made them look like a couple.

  He saw the headline next: Perpetual Bachelor Cheats with Sisters!

  Sy closed his eyes, clamping his jaw shut. He could hear the sound of his teeth grinding. It sent pain shooting up the side of his face.

  “I’m sorry,” Elton said. “We’re going to get out of here. If you need somewhere to stay, the couch is open at our place.”

  “Thanks,” Sy growled. He watched Elton duck out the back door. Easton nodded to him through the glass and then the twins disappeared around the side of the house.

  He waited until they were gone until he put the phone to his ear again. “Delia?”

  “Yep.”

  “Does Amy know about the article?”

  “We’ve talked and came to an agreement. Both Amy and I are planning to stay far away from you.”

  The words struck him syllable by syllable, crushing every shred of hope he had left. Sy didn’t bother to say goodbye but ended the call and let his phone clatter to the floor. He ran his fingers through his hair, tugging at the ends until it almost hurt. It was over. His relationship with Amy had ended, before it really even began. Sy needed to pack. Officially, he had dealt with his regret and kept the promise he’d made to his teammates.

  Even though now he’d be leaving with an even bigger regret.

  Chapter 13

  THIRTEEN

  By the time Sy finished packing his bags, a headache was spreading from behind his eyes from clenching his jaw. Too bad he hadn’t brought any kind of pain relievers with him. Amy might have some downstairs, but he didn’t exactly want to go through her room looking. He could always pick some up at a gas station or something on the drive back to San Antonio.

  He almost walked right out the front door, but hesitated. Amy had left him a note that morning, even if she hadn’t shared exactly why she left. He could at least do the same for her. Sighing, he dropped his bags in the front hall and headed through the kitchen. The same pad of paper she had used for his note sat on the kitchen counter, next to a pen and tape. Sy started three different notes before throwing them away.

  Short Stuff, I’m sorry that

  Ames— I never meant to

  Amy, I wish that I

  He pressed the pen so hard into the paper that it left an indentation in the notepad. Sy forced himself to write something.

  I’m sorry about everything. Heading home. Thanks for having me.

  He paused, about to tear the page off, then added a line.

  Best date of my life.

  Surprised that tears were gathering in his eyes, Sy tore off the paper before he could change his mind and walked back to her bedroom. She had left the door open and all the lights on, as though she’d left in a hurry. Given what happened, she probably had. Even though he knew she wasn’t there, he paused in the open doorway. It felt wrong to go inside. “Amy?”

  Sy moved to tape the note on the door when something caught his eye across the room. Was that …? He walked to the open closet door, pushing it open wider to reveal a giant poster of himself.

  In fact, the entire wall of the closet was covered with posters, photographs, and news articles Amy had printed out and taped up. Some of them were years old. Sy traced his fingertips over the article announcing that he had been drafted to the San Antonio Rebels. There was even one talking about him while he was still at UT, from his junior year. Ticket stubs were taped up next to it. She had come to see him play when he was in college. Amy had been following his whole career. It felt like a hand reached out and closed in a fist around his heart.

  “You weren’t supposed to see this.”

  Sy spun at the sound of Amy’s voice behind him. He swallowed hard at the sight of her face. So beautiful but shuttered now. Like she had closed off all the brightness and emotion that usually colored her features.

  “Ames. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have walked in. I was just—” Sy held up the note, but Amy waved a hand. “This is amazing. I’m honored.”

  She smiled, but her eyes were sad and heavy. “It’s kind of embarrassing.”

  “No, it’s really great. No one has ever done something like this. Not even my parents.” Sy licked his lips, which suddenly felt dry and cracked. “I really like it.”

  “Just pretend like you never saw it, okay?”

  But he wouldn’t pretend or forget. Seeing the wall made his chest ache with a feeling of longing. And one of loss. His family supported him in theory, but they weren’t ever big football fans. Even in high school, they hadn’t come to many of his games. They hadn’t made it out to a single pro game, even when he’d offer to cover airfare or put them in a box.

  Amy was probably his number one fan. She certainly cared more than anyone else in his life. And he was supposed to walk away from her now.

  Unless … maybe Delia was lying about them both giving him up? She wouldn’t be that cold or vindictive, would she? Amy’s face looked closed off, her shoulders slumped. He wanted to wrap her up in his arms but didn’t think that he could. Instead, he stood there, his note clutched in his hand.

  “I saw your bags in the hall,” Amy said. “Checking out early?”

  “I thought that would be best. I talked to Delia.”

  Amy sighed and looked away. “Me too.”

  “So, what she said was true? You two agreed not to date me?”

  Amy bit her lip and leaned on the doorway. “It seems like the best thing. She’s my sister.”

  Sy searched her words for some shred of hope. He felt like there was something Amy wasn’t saying. And where he was desperate to leave without seeing her a few minutes before, now he felt tempted to get on his knees and beg her to change her mind.

  “Are you going to let Delia take away your chance for happiness?”

  Sy knew the words were a mistake as soon as they left his lips. But he had to try. He couldn’t just walk away. But when he saw the way Amy’s lip trembled and her eyes filled with tears, he wished he could take the words back.

  When she spoke, her voice was harder and more sure, despite the tears. “It’s not just Delia.”

  Oh. If it wasn’t Delia, it was him. She didn’t want him. Sy nodded. “Okay. Well, I’ll go then.”

  “I need to adjust the charges since you’re not staying for the full week.”

  “Don’t. It’s really fine. I promise. I appreciate the hospitality and the time we spent together.” Lame. Everything he said just sounded lame. No wonder she didn’t want to be with him. Delia wanted him only for what he could do for her, but Amy didn’t want him at all. He didn’t know which was worse. “I better go.”

  Amy didn’t move from her spot at the closet doorway, forcing Sy to brush past her. As he did, his hand barely grazed the skin of her arm, making his skin light up with the desire to touch her more. That wildflower scent of hers made his chest ache. But Sy didn’t pause. He forced himself to walk to the front door, only stopping when she called his name.

  “Sy?”

  He turned, his hand on his bag. “Yes?”

  “I’m sorry. About everything. I wish that things were different.”

  Did she though? He sighed. “So do I. Oh, before I forget. Here.” Sy thrust the note he’d written into her hand. Before she could read it, he walked through the door and away from her, wishing with every step that he would hear her voice, calling out for him to stay.

  Chapter 14

  FOURTEEN

  Amy thought she had been through heartbreak before. She had no idea. Following prom, when Sy stopped coming around, she wept for days. But that didn’t even come close to this. It felt like some
one had pressed a ten-ton weight down on her chest, but only after first putting her heart through a paper shredder.

  She didn’t know if she would ever get back out of bed.

  With Sy renting out all the rooms for the week—even if he wasn’t here—she didn’t need to worry about guests. Or showering. Or eating. She wondered how long she could stay in bed, only getting up a few times a day to use the bathroom and drink water out of the faucet. So far, she’d made it one full day.

  She lay in bed with a box of tissues, then a roll of toilet paper when she ran out of tissues. Her phone ran out of batteries and she didn’t bother to get the charger from the kitchen. She didn’t want to talk to anyone, anyway.

  That was a lie. But the one person she wanted to talk to, she shouldn’t. Or couldn’t.

  Which started to feel really stupid. Did she really agree with her sister that she wouldn’t date Sy? Were they back in high school?

  But it wasn’t just Delia. It was the cancer, growing silently inside of her. She imagined the cells, multiplying with glee as Amy lay there in misery. She couldn’t start a relationship with someone right as she started treatment. It wasn’t fair. Especially when Sy may not even have the same kind of feelings she did. Maybe he did like her, but he couldn’t feel as strongly as Amy did for him. She had carried around her feelings, which had shifted and grown with her, for years. Amy had really been half in love with him for a lot of her life. Any romantic feelings he had for her started this week. It was too much, too soon.

  Still, there was a part of her that wanted to hope. To hope that she could defeat this sickness, again. To hope that Sy wasn’t out of reach.

  She held his note up in front of her face again. Not that she needed to read it. She had it memorized. But she liked to look at the last line in his blocky handwriting: Best date of my life. She had clutched the note for the last day, only putting it down to go to the bathroom. Under her fingertips, the paper had grown soft, almost like a tissue. She really should put it down before it disintegrated to nothing.