Free Meant to Be: Southern Heat Series by Jenna Harte Page B

was something she could do.
    As she made her way to her apartment building, she noticed Jagger leaning against a sleek, black luxury sedan.
    He smiled and stood to meet her on the walkway as she approached. “Good stride there, Syd.”
    Surprised, but glad to see another familiar face from home, she jogged to him. “You’re up early. Or have you not been to bed yet?”
    He laughed. “In New York, that might be true. I’m heading to Richmond to see about buying some furniture and I thought I’d invite you to come with me.”
    “So you’re standing on the sidewalk in front of my place waiting for me to pass by?”
    “Not exactly. I headed to your door, but then I saw Patrick and I figured where Patrick is, Julia is too.”
    His head was down, a coy smile on his face. Julia would get a kick out of knowing Jagger was afraid to see her. That is, until she hunted him down to rant at him.
    She decided not to call him on his cowardice. “Yes, they’re visiting me, which means no trip to Richmond.”
    “I figured, but maybe we could have dinner sometime, once they leave. I’ll cook.”
    “You know how to cook?”
    “You cut me, Syd, with your skepticism. I’ve gotten pretty good at it.”
    Sydney smiled and wished her life were easier. Jagger’s reputation rivaled Mitch’s in the ladies department, but he was fun. Definitely someone who could take her mind off her troubles. But he’d dated Julia, which made him off limits to her. Plus, by dating him, it would mean giving up on Mitch, something she couldn’t bring herself to do. “That sounds lovely, Jagger, but I can’t.”
    He sighed. “Julia?”
    “Yes.”
    “Most women don’t keep so closely to the code.”
    Sydney didn’t doubt his statement. His world was lavish, extravagant, and indulgent. She didn’t know all the women he’d dated, but if the tabloids were anywhere close to getting it right, they’d been all about the glitz, sparkle, and money, and not about keeping close ties with their female friends. Most wanted the fifteen minutes of fame he could bring them before he moved on. Julia had known that when Jagger first asked her out, so why she was so put out when after only a couple of dates he’d stopped calling, Sydney didn’t know.
    “I’m not most women.”
    “No. You’re not.”
    Sydney couldn’t decide if his annoyed expression was directed at her or Julia.
    “Tell me. If I hadn’t dated Julia those few times, would you go out with me?”
    “The answer to that might irritate you more.”
    “I knew it. You do like me.”
    He flashed her a grin that made him devilishly handsome. Sydney smiled, although she wouldn’t be swayed by his charm. She wondered if she was the only woman who couldn’t be. “I think you’re a nice man and fun to be around.”
    “That’s always the start to a beautiful relationship.”
    “Unfortunately, not for us.”
    “Well, with my ego in shambles, the only thing left to do is go shopping.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “See ya around, Syd.”
    “Bye, Jagger.”
    He got into his car and pulled away while she turned back to her home.
    “We have coffee,” Patrick called from her kitchen.
    “Water first.” Sydney entered her tiny kitchen, where Patrick was making omelets.
    “Who was that you were talking to?” Julia sat on a stool at the breakfast bar.
    Sydney grabbed a glass and filled it with tap water, giving her the time she needed to decide on her answer. “Just a friend.”
    Julia cocked her head to the side.
    “Breakfast is served.”
    Sydney was grateful for Patrick’s distraction. She wasn’t sure Julia believed her. Sydney considered telling her the truth, but she knew Julia would want to see him, if only to hassle him about breaking it off with her. Sydney loved Julia like a sister, but she could be difficult, especially where men were concerned. It was one thing to make a scene in New York, but in Charlotte Tavern, something like that would become talk around