23. Chapter 23

Jayna let him lead her along the beach, farther away from the crowd. He slipped his arm around her, but her concern didn't ease.

After several minutes, the suspense became too much for Jayna. "So, what is this thing that you need to tell me?"

Sid stiffened, and then sighed. "It's about Crystal."

The knot in her gut returned. "You're not married, are you?"

He stopped. "What? No! No, no, no." He sighed deeply. "But we were in a relationship. A couple of years ago. It didn't end well, obviously, and she has made it her mission to ruin me."

Thank goodness, she thought, but the knot in her gut refused to loosen. "I know. Emmaline told me. But I don't know the details. She said those were yours to give."

He nodded. "I suppose now is as good a time as any. Knowing the whole story will help you understand what I have to say next."

Sid ran a hand through his thick black hair and sighed. "A little over three years ago, I bought the manufacturing company where Crystal worked as a human resources manager. I was still fairly new at the process of making these kinds of decisions, and I didn't have a team of my own. So, Crystal and I spent a lot of time together figuring out who we should keep and who we would have to let go. After a month or so, we became romantically involved."

Jayna had suspected something like this. Still, she was surprised at the spark of jealousy that shot through her.

"Anyway, I should have known it was a mistake. But I felt strongly for her, and she seemed to feel the same for me." Sid turned and stared out over the ocean.

After a long silent minute, Jayna put her hand on his arm. "Then what happened?"

Sid worked his bottom lip. "She cheated on me, so I broke it off. She didn't take it well and threatened to ruin me if I didn't either take her back or compensate her financially."

Again, this was not unexpected. "That's why she is so determined to share all those nasty stories about you."

"Yes." Sid pulled Jayna close. "Unfortunately, she has taken notice of you. She claims I am coercing you into a relationship."

Jayna's brow furrowed. "You aren't coercing me. That's ridiculous."

"I know, but that's what she's saying. She claimed I coerced her as well, and that I'm using the employee buyout as leverage for some kind of quid pro quo."

They stood in silence for a few more minutes before Sid finally spoke again. "I meant what I said on the beach. My feelings for you have grown too strong to ignore."

The knot in her stomach refused to go away. "I sense that there is a ‘but' coming."

Sid nodded. "I have to be extremely careful with my reputation right now."

Jayna stiffened. "And a relationship with me would damage your reputation?"

"No! It's not you that's damaging my reputation. It's Crystal." Sid stepped forward and took her hands. "Whether we like it or not, our relationship will be news. If we don't proactively announce it, then she's going to control the narrative."

Jayna felt a wave of panic creep in. "So, what you're saying is that we need to define our relationship and then—what? Issue a press release?"

Sid gave her a sheepish smile. "Something like that."

Jayna took a step back. She had expected a discussion about their relationship. But a public statement? "I don't know, Sid. I mean, up until two days ago, I couldn't even admit to myself I had feelings for you."

The corner of Sid's mouth quirked up. "So, you do have feelings for me?"

She tried to think of a sarcastic quote from Dr. Tierney, something she could use to deny her feelings and claim the kiss had been an impulsive mistake.

But while it may have been impulsive, she wanted desperately to believe it hadn't been a mistake. "Yes, I do have feelings for you." She put her arms around him and pulled him close. "Feelings like I've never had for anyone. And the sudden intensity of these feelings scares me."

Sid held her tight. "Would it help if I told you that I'm scared, too?"

Jayna leaned back so she could see into his eyes. She saw his vulnerability.

"To be honest, yes," she said. "And scared or not, I want to explore whatever this is between us, even if it means we have to issue a press release."

Sid smiled. "I was hoping you'd say that."

He leaned in for another kiss, but Jayna put a finger on his lips to stop him. "I do have one condition, though."

He took her hand in his and kissed it. "Name it," he said.

"I need you to let me call my mom first. If she sees on her streams that I have a boyfriend before I've had a chance to tell her myself, she will never let me hear the end of it."

Sid laughed softly. "Fair enough." Then he frowned. "Speaking of mothers, mine wants to meet you at the regatta tomorrow."

"Your mother wants to meet me?" Jayna didn't know if she should be flattered or concerned at this sudden escalation. "What have you told her about us?"

Sid held up his hands. "Nothing. I swear. She saw your Merathlon win and told me not to show up on the Ghidorah without you."

"The what?"

Sid's mouth tightened. "The Ghidorah. My stepbrother's yacht."

Jayna laughed at the absurdity of the situation. Within the space of an hour, she had gone from questioning her feelings about Sid to issuing a relationship-status press release and meeting his family. "Sure. Why not? A regatta party on a yacht sounds like fun."