Page 106 of Over the Line

Because it was expected, and because at one time she’d understood that motivation, Sydney nodded.

“It’s gonna be Ladies’ Night. You know how much fun that is.”

It was. The best. Lots of sweet mocktails, appetizers and decadent bite-size desserts, and tons of Doms and Tops looking to play. She’d had some of her best experiences at Ladies’ Night. “Thanks. But I won’t be going there anytime soon.” If ever again.

Seeing Michael with another woman would destroy Sydney.

And she had no doubt he would return.

Dominance mattered to him. And eventually he wanted a family to pass the ranch along to.

That thought made her world go black.

“Are you okay?”

She shook her head to clear it of the sudden, dizzying sensation.

Vanessa was carefully studying her. “Oh…” Vanessa’s eyes widened. “The Den. Is that where you met Mr. Heartbreak?”

Last night, Sydney hadn’t shared much about Michael. She’d told Vanessa that she’d spent time with a man she liked, but he’d started to demand too much from her.

On those words, her voice had cracked, the tears had fallen, and she’d been unable to stop them.

She lifted her cup and took a small drink. “It is.”

“Anyone I know?”

“Potentially.” She broke off another piece of heaven—in the form of the decadent pastry—and popped it into her mouth. As far as therapy went, it was as blissful as it was inexpensive. “Master Michael.”

Vanessa’s mouth fell open. “The cowboy?”

“One and the same.”

“Oh, man. Oh, man.” She exhaled. “Now I have to know more.”

As Sydney nibbled, the multiple flavors of chocolate soothing her soul, she told the whole story.

Because they were such good friends, Sydney even shared his terrible, accusatory parting words.

“That sounds like bitterness, like he didn’t really mean them.”

“But…” Having had more than enough to eat, Sydney folded her bag and tucked it inside her purse. Then she washed down the sweetness with a gulp of her Americano. “When I combine his ultimatum with what he said about thinking I should never leave…”

Vanessa nodded. “He definitely seems to want more.”

“That was never part of the agreement.”

Vanessa turned to face her. “So where are you at?”

Lonely.

“I mean, you have to care about him. Otherwise this wouldn’t hurt, right?”

Miserably, thinking of him, of all she’d lost, she nodded, and another stupid lump lodged in her throat.

“So what’s really going on?”

“What does that mean?”