Chapter 27
Dane
I was walking towards the B&B when I saw them by the window of the seafood shack. Leo and Sydney were sitting at a table together, clinking their glasses of what looked like champagne.
I’d arrived in Tramore no more than an hour before that, walked into a hotel in town which was a three-star place but the only accommodation that had rooms available. I’d showered quickly, changed into a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt and stepped out to go look for her.
The town hadn’t changed an inch. It was still bright outside, and from the moment I stepped out of the hotel, I could smell the sea. The sun wasn’t as harsh as it could be and I was grateful for that. The breeze was cool and ruffled my hair.
With my hands tucked into my pockets, I walked along the promenade, making my way towards Sydney’s B&B. My heart was thumping, I wasn’t sure of what I might find there. The last thing I had expected to stumble upon was Leo and Sydney together. But there they were.
Leo was in formal clothes, and looked like someone out on a date and eager to impress. Through the glass windows I saw Sydney. She hadn’t changed a bit either. She was petite and delicate as before, in a summery floral dress with her hair messily held up in a bun. She was sipping her champagne with a smile on her face, the two of them looked like they were engrossed in conversation.
For a few moments I stood there watching them. Wondering if I should interfere. They were clearly on a date. Were they together? Was this a serious relationship that I was witnessing? I wasn’t sure what I had come to Tramore for, certainly not to win Sydney over or ask her to marry me. I knew her too little to do something like that, as much as I wanted to. The fact that she might not be available any more wasn’t a thought I had actively entertained. I was hoping that nothing had changed. That we could start all over again, maybe.
I watched as Leo leaned over and placed a hand on hers. I felt the jealousy course through my veins and I walked deliberately up the steps and into the restaurant. The place was buzzing with people, and neither of them noticed when I walked in.
A middle aged woman walked up to me with a menu in her hand.
“Table for one?” she asked with a polite enthusiastic smile and I shook my head, my eyes were on Sydney and Leo in the corner. Still engrossed in their conversation.
“Sir!” I heard the woman call after me as I walked straight towards them. What did I plan on saying? I hadn’t thought this through. All I wanted was to hear Sydney’s voice.
“Hello, Sydney,” I said as I came to a stop at their side.
Leo was in mid-sentence when they both turned to look up at me from their seats. Standing over Sydney, I saw the way her eyes widened and her mouth fell slightly open. She had to place her glass of champagne back on the table. Then, almost instantly, her eyes narrowed. A renewed fire entered her gaze, like she wasn’t pleased to see me.
“It’s you…sorry, man, I’ve forgotten your name,” I heard Leo’s voice, but I didn’t turn to look at him.
“How are you, Sydney?” I asked her and graciously, she dabbed the sides of her mouth with the napkin on her lap. After she had smacked her lips, she lazily turned her eyes to me again.
“Good. What are you doing here, Dane?” she asked, arching a menacing eyebrow up at me. I forced myself to smile. My first instinct was to drag her into my arms and press her to myself, but what was I thinking? Why did I assume that she would be happy to see me? I should have been glad that she even remembered me.
“On vacation again. I saw you from across the street and thought I’d stop by,” I said, in an equally calm voice. Our gazes were locked as she stared up at me, with her eyes intense and not a trace of a smile on her face.
“Glad to hear it. Hope you enjoy your stay,” she said dismissively, and I noticed the way her lips pressed together.
“You liked Tramore that much?” Leo’s voice appeared again. I had a sudden urge to punch him, just to shut him up. I turned to him slowly instead, the plastic smile on my face still.
“Hello, Leo,” I said in a low voice and a well-meaning happy look washed over his face. I hated him so much. I couldn’t stand the thought that he was sleeping with Sydney. I couldn’t stand the thought that anyone was sleeping with her. My fists bunched up inside my pockets and I tried to keep a straight face.
“Where are you staying?” he asked, still unaware of what was going on.
“At The Keystone,” I said with no feeling, and Leo nodded his head.
“Sydney’s B&B is completely booked up for the summer,” he offered and I nodded my head.
“I know, I checked,” I said and Leo smiled again. I turned back to Sydney. She had been watching me in silence, studying my face, my hands…I was desperate to know what she was thinking.
“We should talk when you have a moment,” I said to her and she licked her lips and looked away from me, and back at Leo.
“I’m having dinner with Leo, maybe tomorrow if you’re still here. I’ll stop by the hotel and look you up,” she said and picked up the menu off the table and started reading it. I cleared my throat, nodded and walked away from them.
I knew when I wasn’t wanted.