Sincerely, Sinclair || Sinclair Bryant x Reader ||

Chapter 5: A Leap of Faith

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"If all else fails, just let your heart do the talking."

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The next two weeks seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye. Life went on, business as usual...but I had more of a pep in my step. I had talked to Sinclair a few times, all of which had been over the phone to check in and chat casually. A second date was impending on the horizon, and each passing day caused me to become more excited.

Sinclair was a patient man, and he knew that I needed time first to process my feelings. He knew how it felt to deal with a nasty breakup, and how important it was to understand how feelings could affect someone.

"Did she really like me? Honestly, Audrey. I can take it." Sinclair persuaded over the phone, trying to get Audrey to give it up.

Audrey's voice rang out through the phone as a laugh.

"She liked you, Sinclair. I wouldn't have said anything if she hadn't," Audrey said, "I told you. [Y/N] just needs for things to go slow. That might not be such a bad thing for you either."

Sinclair couldn't help the breathy laugh that bubbled out of his chest. He knew that perhaps he was a tad too eager to jump into this relationship. Truth be told, he hit it off with me much better than he had originally anticipated. In just the short hour and a half that the two of us had spent at lunch that day, he felt an intense connection with me. He was very curious about me, and wanted to get to know me better.

Sinclair twirled the cord of the rotary phone around his index finger, his touch grazing over the swirl of the cord. It was Sunday, meaning the office was closed for the day and he had the day to himself. He was using his downtime to unwind, sitting in his sunroom to re-read his favorite fiction drama...and it just so happened to be the one authored by me.

"I know. I'm just so fascinated by her...not in a weird way," Sinclair replied, "It's just...Natalie, as wonderful as she was, she just never seemed to care much about my life."

"Natalie had other problems going on, Sinclair. Your divorce was long overdue. I can't believe you stayed with her as long as you did after finding out." Audrey told him.

Sinclair went quiet at that. Audrey knew most of the details of Sinclair's divorce. She knew about Natalie and her brother Richard and how...unusual their relationship was. Despite the fact that Audrey had met Sinclair shortly after his divorce, she felt as if she had known him throughout it all.

"She's incredible, you know? [Y/N]'s writing is spectacular. It's such a cliche thing to say I suppose, but she has such a way with words." Sinclair complimented, running his free hand along the words on the pages in front of him.

Audrey didn't have the day off, unfortunately, but that didn't stop her from chatting during work hours. She was bored to tears, and if she didn't hate her job endlessly, then she'd actually be working on an article for this month's issue.

"I told you that she's talented. You might want to say those things to her. It might get her out of her writer's block," Audrey suggested, "But that isn't why I called."

Sinclair laughed again, sitting up a little straighter in his chair that he was lounging in. He knew that Audrey had called to follow up from the first date. The idea of another date excited him just by hearing about it. He was keeping in mind that slow and steady was best, and he didn't want to doom a possible relationship by getting too jittery.

"I'd love to go on a second date with her, Audrey. I thought something more casual might be in order." Sinclair announced, getting right to the point.

"I'd hoped you say that!" Audrey squeaked, "I don't know if you've realized yet, but she's easy to please. I'm sure anything that you come up with will be perfect for her. What do you have in mind?"

"Do you think it's too soon for dinner at my house?" Sinclair suggested.

Audrey thought on that for a moment, but then her voice answered with a positive tone, encouraging Sinclair.

"I don't think it's too soon at all."

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"Dinner at his house? Sinclair's house?" I shrilled at Audrey, "It is WAY too soon for that!"

Audrey's sensed my hesitation, fearing that she should've checked with me first. Audrey's slender fingers worked at getting the back of my sundress tied, her voice sounding reassuring in my ears.

"But, [Y/N], you had such a nice time with him the first time! What's so intimidating about going to his home?" Audrey asked, feeling like I was taking three steps backwards.

Audrey had called me just as she was leaving work to let me know that Sinclair was up for another date. I had previously mentioned to both Jade and Audrey that I felt that it was time to see him again, but I didn't expect things to be thrown into motion so quickly. Audrey had arrived at my flat to give her the details as well as keep me company while I got ready.

"It's not intimidating, it's just that I still hardly even know Sinclair and now I'm going to his house? It just all seems awfully fast." I told Audrey, who was now adjusting the skirt of the dress around my hips.

Audrey didn't reply until she was satisfied with how the dress was styled. She took a step or two backwards to get a better vantage point. The color of the dress was my personal favorite, and Audrey knew it would blow Sinclair away.

"[Y/N], Sinclair is really trying here. I know you want to take things slow, and so does he...but I think you need to take a bit of a leap of faith here." Audrey advised.

"A leap of faith? Is it that serious?" I returned, touching up my hair in the mirror over my dresser by my bed.

Audrey chuckled lightly, trying to get through to me.

"All I'm saying is that I understand if you don't trust Sinclair yet. I think it's best if you ARE cautious with your feelings, but I don't want you to be too cautious," Audrey explained, "I never would've introduced the two of you if I didn't trust that this was could be something beautiful."

I knew what Audrey meant, and everything she was saying made sense. My shoulders relaxed from their tense position, and my lips turned into a soft smile.

"I trust you, Audrey. I promise I'll have a good time tonight." I promised.

Audrey grinned, her freckled cheeks brightening with expectation.

"Perfect," She beamed, "If all else fails, just let your heart do the talking."

"Yes ma'am." I laughed, exiting my bedroom with Audrey close to follow, "Hey, why didn't Jade come?"

Audrey's smile faded into more of a worried expression, her fingertips running through her hair.

"She's at the bakery." Audrey referred to Jade's place of work.

"Still?!" I gawked, "It's nearly 7:00!"

"I know. She got another bank notice. She's doing everything she can to keep it afloat but there's just so much competition in the area."

I sighed heavily, feeling my chest sting for my other best friend.

"She's going to lose her bakery..." I stated.

"I know. She just needs the money...and more time," Audrey said, "But you know Jade. She always pulls through. I just wish she wasn't so hard on herself. It isn't her fault that the customers have changed since her parents owned the store."

"I just wish Jade would accept some help. I would never mind loaning her some money." I stressed.

"She'd never forgive herself if she accepted money from you or anyone else." Audrey pointed out.

I nodded, my wheels turning as to what I should do to help Jade.

"You don't worry about Jade. She wouldn't want you to," Audrey said, sensing my thought pattern, "You go and have a good time. We'll catch up tomorrow."

My eyes glittered as my lashes fluttered, my heart racing at the thought of another date with Sinclair.

"How do I look?" I asked with one final check before I went on her way.

Audrey's smile returned, her arms wrapping me in a hug for encouragement.

"As beautiful as always."