A Twist Of Fate (PREVIOUSLY A Purple Garden)

Chapter 13

"I think I just want a Miner biscuit," Sydney said over the counter to the Tudor's cashier as her eyes browsed the menu on the wall. "And a large sweet tea too, please."

Sydney could already feel her hair starting to frizz from the moisture that hung in the damp morning air. Sometime during the night, it had rained just enough to wet the dry earth. Now as the sun was making its way into the sky, the gray clouds parting like curtains to reveal the warm yellow orb surrounded by the purest of blues, the wetness of the ground had started to humidify. It was tolerable to be in, but it was just thick enough to annoy Sydney and any other girl with easily frizzy hair.

But the frizz of her hair wasn't enough to bring Sydney out of the good mood she was in as she was still emotionally high from her time with Lucas the other night. It might have been three days later, but she was still smiling like a teenager.

"Alright, honey," the older woman drew out in her comforting southern twang, punching the order into the register quickly. Out of all places Sydney had travelled to, there was nowhere she could find the kind of warm and friendly hospitality that could even compare to what she found in West Virginia. Nor could she find anywhere else with a biscuit sandwich with bacon, hashbrown, and melty cheese that compared to the heaven they had here. "That'll be $4.18, dear. Cash or card?"

As Sydney paid for her breakfast, she headed into the small dining area where she saw the familiar head of black hair sitting at a booth. "Good morning, sunshine," Sydney chirped, sliding into the seat across from Regan.

Regan grinned at her, perking up immediately. "There you are. I haven't seen you since Bdubs."

As Sydney unwrapped her biscuit, she couldn't help but notice Regan's restlessness as she felt the booth move from the way Regan was bouncing her leg eagerly. "It's been a minute," Sydney agreed.

"So I heard through the grapevine that things went well with you and Lucas," her friend gushed, talking over the plate of scrambled eggs in front of her. "Tell me everything."

Sydney couldn't hold back the smile that spread across her face. "Through the grapevine?"

"Yeah. You know like Lucas talked to Gavin, Gavin talked to Tyler, and Tyler talked to me," Regan explained, gesturing with her hands as she spoke. "Hence, the grapevine."

Sydney should have expected this before she even sat down. Of course, Regan would be on her like a vulture wanting every miniscule detail. It was in her DNA. "How much do you already know?" Sydney asked, testing the waters as she took a bite of her biscuit.

"Just that Lucas was very happy when he talked to Gavin. I heard you two kissed but that's all I got." Regan took a sip from her coffee cup. Like she seriously needed any more caffeine. "So, I'm eager to hear your side."

Sydney shook her head, her face shifting into an even wider grin as she gave in. "I'll begin by saying that things went very well with Lucas."

"Do elaborate, please," Regan commanded quickly, taking a bite off her fork. "And spare nothing."

Sydney sighed, as she replayed the highlights of the evening to herself quietly. "Well, I told him how I had felt back in high school."

Regan leaned forward eagerly. "And?"

Meeting her friend's wide blue eyes, she smiled. "He said he had felt the same way."

"Okay," Regan said impatiently, "I'm gonna need you to fast forward some. Tell me. Did y'all do the Ole Devil's Tango?" Regan asked, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Sydney wasn't shocked that her friend would ask her this, but she was shocked that she would jump straight to it. "Did he let on that we did?" She asked defensively. That didn't seem like something he would do.