“Oh, sorry,” I begin.
Simon turns around and my mouth clamps shut.
We look at each other for a few seconds before he speaks. “Come in.”
“I was just looking for the bathroom. I should go.” I say it, and yet I don’t move. My hand stays on the doorknob and his eyes stay trained on my face.
“It seems my father has won you over.”
“Not quite,” I honestly say.
He has somewhat, but now I feel guilty about it. Especially considering the way I’ve seen him with Simon.
“You believe everything he says about me?”
I let go of the doorknob and take a step into the room. The hurt in his words is obvious.
“He hasn’t told me anything about you. Not really. Nothing that’s a fact, anyway.”
“Hm.”
He leans against the small wooden desk in the corner and picks up a glass paperweight from its surface. He lightly tosses it back and forth in his hands. We both watch it fly, catching the light coming in from the side window.
“He wasn’t very nice to you,” I say.
I pause and consider my words. I guess I’m siding with Simon.
“He never is.”
“Damn,” I hiss. “Why not?”
Simon shrugs. “Ask him.”
I laugh. “Yeah, right. Should I go out there and ask him now, or after dessert?”
He puts the paperweight back down. “He’d probably give you an answer. He’s not ashamed of much, and he seems taken with you.”
I look at the bookshelves, feeling slightly guilty about that. If I have won David Mulroney’s affections, it’s purely coincidental. I certainly haven’t done anything to deserve them.
“My father has a lot of expectations,” Simon continues. “For some reason, they only increased once my mother died.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.”
We could almost be two normal people in this moment, having a candid conversation about relationship issues. I tuck some hair behind my ear, thinking it’s about time I slipped away.
“You look nice,” he says, his eyes not leaving my face.
“Don’t.”
He laughs. “Sydney, relax. I’m just complimenting you. It’s not a big deal.”
When my name sounds that good on his lips, every time he opens his mouth it’s a big deal.
“Crystal picked my outfit out for me. I didn’t know what to wear. I thought maybe…” I pause, a little embarrassed to admit it. “I thought maybe it wouldn’t be like a barbecue back home, back in North Carolina.”
He looks at me with interest. “What are they like in North Carolina?”
I shrug. “Well, casual, like this one. Except everything is cooked there, in the yard. I’ve never been to one where having it catered was even an idea. Cooking is part of the experience.”
“Sounds nice.”
“So, where’s your brother?” I ask, trying to get the conversation off of me.
He shrugs. “Somewhere out there being the belle of the ball.”
I grin. “You mean belle of the barbecue.”
He smiles. “Or that. We don’t really get along.”
I run my fingers along the side of the door. “Who do you get along with in your family?”
“No one anymore.” He jerks his chin up at me. “What’s that face for?”
“Which face?”
“The one on your head.” His voice is teasing, but soft. “You don’t like something I said.”
Fine. If he’s that intent on my honesty, I might as well offer it.
“Maybe you’d get along a little better with your father and brother if you actually tried. You’re kind of caustic.”
“You’re probably right.”
I’m surprised by his answer. “Really?”
He nods. “Of course you’re right.”
“But let me guess.” I wait until he meets my eyes again. “It’s complicated.”
“Aren’t all relationships?”
“Some more than others.”
“Only because we make them so.” He stares at me, though it’s not like I need any hints to get what he’s referring to.
“What did they do to you that’s so unforgivable?”
He’s silent for a moment. “For one, I spent most of my childhood away at boarding schools. You know who didn’t? Colt. He got to stay here at home because he’s my father’s favorite. How’s that?”
“Jesus,” I breathe. “That sucks.”
There’s an eruption of applause outside and we both look to the window. I take a few steps into the room to push the curtains out of the way. The library is on the side of the house, but the backyard is just visible through the pane. The guests are gathered together in a circle, listening to someone talk.