Sydney bet it'd be her.
She needed to force him to deal with her away from work and the bedroom. Horseback riding seemed the perfect opportunity.
"You mean for the lessons I bought for her birthday?" he asked.
"Yes, I think we can all use a day together."
He was sorting his briefcase for the day ahead. Dressed in a crisp black suit, red tie, shiny wing tip shoes, and engraved onyx cuff links, he emanated male grace, power, and hotness. Hair pushed back from his brow in brushed waves, jaw clean shaven, his ocean scent filling the air. Mornings were always hectic, but he kept completely calm through breakfast madness, her regular argument regarding Becca's wardrobe, the lost library book, and the toast he'd made too crunchy without melting the butter until it was invisible. Instead of getting annoyed, he remade it to perfection and discovered the missing library book tucked in the couch cushion.
Sydney finally got her off to the bus on time and scrambled back to gulp a last cup of coffee before heading out. "When did you want to go?" he asked.
"Saturday. I'd like for us all to go together. But you don't have to ride if it makes you uncomfortable." She threw out the challenge in a casual manner. He looked up from his briefcase with a frown.
"I can ride a horse."
She fought a smile. He'd always been so easy to bait. "Really? Somehow I can't picture you on a horse. It's messy. And I thought you were afraid of horses."
His frown deepened. "I'm not scared of horses. I can handle them just fine. It's a good idea. Let's go."
"Great. I scheduled the tile installation for Saturday, so maybe we can go early? I can set up a nine a.m. ride, and we can go for brunch. Then we can drop Becca off at Morgan's so we can stay late at the site."
"Fine."
She nodded. It was time to see if they could make this work together. Becca needed them to be comfortable with each other and make up a solid family unit. She deserved Sydney's best effort. "Are you coming to the site dressed like that?"
He cocked his head. "I have a real estate deal to close first. I'll meet you over there in a few hours."
"Do you need me to bring you some old clothes?"
He frowned. "No. This is my old suit."
She let out a sigh. "Of course. How did I not notice?"
He lifted an eyebrow. "Funny. What's that smell?"
She motioned over to the Crock-Pot. "Stew. It simmers all day so we'll be all set when we get home to eat without a lot of prep. I'll throw a salad together with it."
He lifted the lid and stared into the pot with something close to wonderment. "And it just cooks together in there?"
Her lip twitched. "Yep. Like magic."
"My mother loved making stew."
"It's her recipe. Of course, it's not as good. I wasn't too interested when she tried to show me how to cook, but I did keep all her recipes."
They stayed quiet for a bit, lost in their thoughts of Diane. "I appreciate you cooking. It's never been my strong suit."
"It's okay. I actually like cooking."
"It's Wednesday. Are you going to poker night? I know you haven't gone in a while."
She shifted her feet. Raven held poker night every week at My Place, and it had been a safe haven for Sydney. Laughing and talking with her friends allowed her to blow off some steam and soak in the power of female friendship. But since the truth about Becca came out, Morgan and Raven avoided her. She didn't know if she had the guts to go back, even though she was a bridesmaid in Morgan's upcoming wedding. "I don't think so. Things have been a bit strained between us."
He studied her for a while, as if trying to come to a decision. "I'll talk to them, Syd. I don't want them holding a grudge. It doesn't help anyone."
Irritation prickled her nerve endings. "I don't need you to fight my battles any longer," she said. "I appreciate it, but this is something I need to take care of myself."
"Then go tonight. They're your friends, and you owe them a conversation."
He was right. It had been easier to avoid the confrontation, but it was time to say her piece. She owed her friends that much, and then they could make their own decision whether or not they wanted to continue the friendship. "I'll think about it."
He nodded, accepting her decision. "Fine. I'll check in with you later." His tone morphed back into the cool, clipped manner she was getting accustomed to. Her soul mourned the softening and intimacy between them before she'd told him about Becca. She wondered if she'd waited longer to tell him, would their bond have been more unshakable?
No. Any type of foundation they had laid crumbled to dust the moment he learned she'd lied to him. Sydney wondered if he'd ever be able to truly forgive her, let alone trust her again. She answered him with a quick good-bye, then left the mansion with a heavy heart.