Once a Doormat, Now Untouchable

Sydney didn't know why her eyes suddenly burned . She jumped down from the table and walked out without looking back . Julian watched her go , her sudden flight striking him like a slap to the chest . The restless heat beneath his skin only intensified . When the front door slammed shut , he swung his long leg and sent a dining chair crashing to the floor . On December 29th , Tiffany left for home to celebrate the New Year . After seeing her off , Sydney crawled back into bed for another round of sleep .

Half - dreaming , she remembered that Bruce and the others would gather at Julian's for a housewarming . She had promised to go . But now she and Caleb were " fake divorced , " and Julian might not welcome a mistress showing up in front of his friends . Thus , she simply rolled over , buried herself deeper in her pillow , and fell back asleep . The doorbell rang just as Sydney finished washing up near noon . She hurried to answer , phone in hand . " Jul- " The word froze on her tongue . Something hollowed her chest , yet her smile remained . " Agatha ! Happy New Year . What a surprise .

" Happy New Year , child . It's the holiday , so I fried some food for you - meatballs and banana fritters , " she said warmly . A sudden warmth bloomed in Sydney's chest . " I thought you'd be busy with your grandson , so I planned to visit in a few days . " " Oh , don't even mention him . " Agatha feigned annoyance as she bustled about , tucking the food neatly into the fridge . " He's too busy to care about me . I don't even know if he'll come home for New

girl he liked . These past few days , he's been chasing after her , burning hot . " " Ah ? " Sydney smiled easily . " That's wonderful ! It means he finally gets what he wants . And you won't have

" The only thing is that I don't know how the girl feels . " 1/2 " Why not ? " " I asked him to bring her home for me to meet . He refused . Said they'd just started dating and she's still adjusting . He was afraid that bringing her home too soon would scare her off . " Sydney couldn't help thinking of what she had told Julian in his