“JAX?” THE FEMALE’S voice was unmistakable, and as I opened my eyes and leaned back to look at the woman over Lucas’s shoulder, my blood ran cold.

What the… Oh my God. Shit, shit, shit, what is she doing here?

“What is this?” Sydney’s words rang out louder this time and echoed through the lobby, causing heads to turn in our direction—not that she paid any attention. “Jax, what are you doing?”

There was confusion and disbelief written all over her face as she looked between me and Lucas, and then her gaze dropped to where we still stood with our arms wrapped around each other.

“Oh my God,” she whispered, shaking her head and moaning. “Oh my God.”

I let my hand drop from Lucas’s face. “Sydney,” I said, moving toward her, but she took a step back and held up her hand.

“Don’t you get near me. What the hell is going on?” Her eyes filled with tears as they shifted to the man behind me. “Who is that?”

“His name is—”

“No, never mind, I don’t want to know.” Sydney’s hand went over her mouth like she might be sick, and then she swallowed and shook her head. “This isn’t happening. This is some kind of sick joke. Oh my God, I’m gonna pass out.”

“Sydney, I…” I didn’t even know what to say in that moment, as she paced back and forth. “What are you doing here?”

She whirled in my direction. “What am I doing here? Gee, I thought it might be nice to surprise you to celebrate winning the AnaVoge account today. I even thought maybe we could stay and spend an extra couple of days on the beach. You know. Couple stuff. But I seem to have interrupted something.”

I could feel Lucas’s eyes on me. He was probably wondering why she was under the impression I’d acquired AnaVoge. I hadn’t had the chance to tell her I’d lost the bid; she’d just assumed, wrongly so. Fuck. What was I supposed to say to her right now that would in any way make up for what she’d just witnessed? There were only two words that came to mind, so I said, “I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry? Really?” She rubbed at her chest as she went back to pacing. “You’re sorry for kissing a man while you’re supposed to be down here planning a proposal to me?”

I heard a couple of audible gasps from somewhere behind us, and I took a deep breath before answering. “No, I didn’t say that. I’m sorry this hurts you, Syd, and I’m sorry you saw us before I had a chance to tell you. But I’m not sorry for my actions. Not anymore.”

Her mouth opened and shut a few times like a gaping fish as she stared at me. “A man, Jax? You’ve been down here this whole time with a guy? Are you kidding me?” Then her eyes caught on the elevator we stood in front of. “And what, you were going upstairs with him? To your room?”

“Syd—”

“No, stop. I’m gonna be sick.”

Jesus, this is a shitshow. I lifted my head to Lucas, apology in my eyes, but he was watching Sydney intently as she tried to catch her breath. More people were looking in our direction, unable to stop eavesdropping on such a juicy scandal, so I kept my voice low and said, “Can we go somewhere in private to talk about this?”

“I’m not going anywhere with you. Or with him.”

“Leave Lucas out of this, please. This is between you and me.”

Sydney’s pacing stopped, and she blinked up at me before her eyes traveled to the man still as stone beside me. “Did you say…Lucas?”

For the first time since she’d arrived, Lucas moved, taking a small step toward her. “Lucas Sullivan,” he said, holding his hand out toward Sydney, who stared at it as the blood drained from her face.

“Oh my God,” she said so softly I could barely hear it, and then she was backing away again.

“Sydney, wait—” I started, but she put up her hand.

“Don’t you follow me, Jax. Don’t you dare follow me.” Then she turned on her heel and fled across the lobby and through the revolving door, vanishing into the Savannah night. No doubt she’d have my father on speed dial already, telling him what a pervert his son was, like he didn’t already know. But it wasn’t my father’s reaction I was worried about now. It was hers. She’d never been anything but thoughtful and kind, and how had I repaid her? By being a total dick and not owning up to who I was and what—and whom—I wanted.

“Shit,” I said, running my hand through my hair and gripping the ends. “Shit, shit. I can’t just let her leave like that. Lucas…”

Lucas shoved his hands into his pockets and gave a curt nod. “Then I guess you’d better go after her.”

I blew out a breath, pacing just as Sydney had, while I debated what to do. I couldn’t take Lucas with me, since that would only rile things up again. Besides, she and I needed to have the conversation I’d long put off, even before Lucas had been in the picture. Dammit, the timing couldn’t have been worse. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to do this, but—”

“Go,” Lucas said, inclining his head toward the door. “Before she gets too far.”

I put my hands on either side of his face and gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll make it up to you,” I said, and then I was running across the lobby and pushing through the revolving door. I looked to the left and didn’t spot anyone in a pink dress running down the sidewalk, but when I looked to the right, there she was, crossing the street as fast as her high heels would take her. As I broke into a sprint, I took one last look toward the Rosemont, and through the window I could see Lucas staring after me, still standing rigid with his hands in his pockets in the same spot I left him.