A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(62)
“It’s not like a cult is it? I swear, if you head to the shops to buy a Nike tracksuit and some Kool-Aid and I will throttle you.” Sydney lowered her fork in concern.
“No Syd, it’s not a cult. D has already checked it out and said it’s some kind of intense boot camp. Super secretive though - illuminati level of ambiguity. They don’t even advertise because apparently they don’t need the clientele. How an organisation can be so choosey about whom it does business with and still survive in this economic climate is beyond me. But I have to admit, it’s got me curious.” Secret societies and clandestine organisations had always intrigued me and this latest offering was no different. My need to know was stronger than any feelings I harboured of being insulted. Hell, if Mr. Ortiz’s business model proved profitable, I guess that afforded him the right to be arrogant.
“So you are going by yourself? You’re right, it sounds like five different shades of shady. I don’t think you should go alone.” Sydney’s tone turned serious and while she was surprisingly liberal for a Brit, she wasn’t the type of girl who did something without a parachute.
“Taylah is going to come with me. I’m still not sure that is such a good idea and of course D is escorting us there and back. It’s not like I’m wandering into an unknown situation with nothing but my clever wit and a smile.” I wasn’t sure Taylah would be the right choice to join me on my quest for discovery, there was a definite danger she would probably go Full Metal Jacket on anyone who suggested you could purchase workout wear anywhere other than Nordstrom.
“Can I crash the party or do you have to pledge your first born to be granted an invite? This level of intrigue beats the hell out of Downton Abby re-runs, and that’s all I had planned for my evening.” Sydney offered, either genuinely curious as to what the deal was with this underground group or wanting to ensure I didn’t end up joining a commune full of militant polygamists.
“I can call and ask, the worst they can say is no go. I’ll admit, it would be nice to go in there with reinforcements. I despise not knowing what is going to happen.” The fact that I was a control freak was pretty much common knowledge. I was not only going out on a limb but going into a situation unknown which was calling for a level trust that I wasn’t sure I could give. The idea of having two people who had made it onto the “friends” side of my arbitrary friends/foe list would certainly make this situation easier. It would also alleviate Alex’s concerns. At first he had insisted on coming with me but even DarNell had argued that Alex’s presence would not be helpful and gave his utmost reassurance that at no point would I ever be placed in harms way.
So with my commitment to secure Sydney’s attendance for this evening’s expedition I decided to change the direction of the conversation. Being absorbed in my own shit-storm, I had completely forgotten to ask how Sydney’s date with Dan had gone. They had been extremely amicable on the night of our wedding celebrations so clearly he hadn’t acted like a complete jerk.
“Sooooooo,” I leaned back in my chair, unable to swallow another morsel of food, no matter how delicious. “How was your date with Dan? I’ve been meaning to ask you but I kept getting side tracked.”
“Oh it was fine,” Sydney responded evasively. “You done with lunch? I’ll clear the desk so we can get back to work. I know it must be killing you to take a break.” Sydney stood and attempted to bundle up the remnants from lunch.
“Wait a minute.” I held my hand up in protest. “Sit down.” I gestured to her previously occupied seat. “You can’t just feed me something as banal as ‘it was fine’ This is Dan Evans were talking about. What happened?”
Sydney lowered herself back onto her chair, her face impassive. She was like a f*cking vault. “Not much to say really. He picked me up, we went to his cousin’s wedding and that was about it. It was pleasant enough. I had a few glasses of bubbly and surprisingly he was not the least bit offensive.”
There was something definitely suspicious about Sydney’s skittish behaviour. I’ve never seen anyone so anxious to shut down a conversation so fast. It can only mean one thing. “Oh my god, Sydney! Did you sleep with him?”
“What?!” Sydney scoffed, clearing her throat and looking horrified. “What makes you think that?”
“Well for starters, the fact you aren’t denying it. You did sleep with him! It’s written all over your face!” Despite her feeble half-hearted attempt at denial there was no doubt that she had bedded Dan.
“Look, I’m not judging you. You’re an adult and can sleep with whomever you please. I just hope he wasn’t a complete *.” It’s not like he didn’t give me enough reasons of his own to infuriate me, but being inconsiderate to Sydney, especially when she was doing him a favour, would give me all the ammunition I needed to give him a serious beat down.
“Actually, it was probably the best sex I’ve ever had.” Sydney volunteered, realizing the jig was up and she might as well come clean. “Who’d have thought that he’d actually have the goods to back up that over inflated ego!”
“How the hell did he convince you? I mean, it’s Dan!” I failed to understand how someone as intelligent and sassy as Sydney would fall for Dan’s very obvious end game.
“You know what’s funny?” Sydney smiled, “He was charming. He was a complete gentlemen and completely hilarious. We laughed the entire date. He introduced me to all his family and we danced. He’s actually a really good dancer.” She continued to explain. “So when he dropped me back at my flat I gave him a little pash, you know as a thank you for such a fun time. And well he does this amazing thing with his tongue, I really can’t describe it but it’s all kinds of spectacular.”