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Sydney paid for her purchases and left. She’d lost track of Adam, but by now he’d probably left, too. Men generally were fast shoppers. They found what they needed and got out. She liked to take her time to be sure she didn’t miss anything, sometimes even double-checking certain sections.

Besides the shower curtain and the painting, she’d found a black ceramic lamp in the shape of a dancing woman that she could put on the guest room dresser for now.

Despite trying to distract herself, she drove home with Adam on her mind. Tonight was going to be a make-or-break moment, and the thought made her nervous.

She did not want to lose him as a friend, but that was the risk she was taking. The reward was worth it, though. The idea that he could be the one lifted her spirits.

Of course, if Birdie was wrong and this whole thing blew up, Sydney might actually have to move.

She hoped that if he wasn’t interested, they’d be able to get through that.

Okay, that she’d be able to get through that.

He’d probably be fine. Men didn’t seem to take that kind of disappointment in the same way.

Granted, he had kissed her, so there had to be something there, right? Then again, he could have changed his mind.

She reminded herself that she was an adult. She’d dealt with plenty of rejection in her life. She couldn’t count the number of jobs she hadn’t gotten because she wasn’t right for the campaign.

That was how she’d look at this. If Adam wanted to keep things as they were, being friends and nothing more, she’d tell herself she wasn’t right for his relationship campaign. It would be just another job she hadn’t booked.

She’d be hurt, of course. Getting over it would take a day or two, but she’d manage.

Then again, if he decided she was crazy and wanted nothing to do with her, she’d have to put her house up for sale. Not really, but it would be utterly mortifying to live next to a man who thought she was nuts.

“Ugh, why is this my life?” She tried not to think about all the ways this could go wrong and failed.

With a sigh, she reminded herself that if her dream of being a wife and mother were important, then tonight was also important. The talk had to happen. She had to know if he was a possibility for her future.

She really wanted him to be. There was something so wonderful about him, something wild and striking and full of potential, like an unpolished gem that was spectacular because of its raw beauty.

He deserved to have all the hurt his ex had caused him erased from his mind. Sydney didn’t want to change him, but she did want to show him that there were good women out there. And that she was one of them. And that his future could still be everything he’d dreamed of.

Nothing wrong with that, was there?

She got home and carried her things inside, noticing that Adam’s car was either in his garage or he wasn’t home. She stared at his place a moment, wondering what he was up to, before going inside.

Mackie was sleeping on the couch, but he woke up when she came in, greeting her with a wag of his tail.

“Hi to you, too. Wanna go out?” It was a beautiful day. She’d rather be outside herself. Maybe she’d get a drink and go sit on the deck steps while Mackie ran around. It would be good for him to get some activity, since she’d be out this evening.

One of the things she’d anticipated the most about moving to a small town like this was having her own backyard and being able to enjoy nature whenever she wanted. Big change from living in the city and having to seek out green spaces. And then having to share them with other people.

She grabbed a diet soda, kicked off her shoes, and went out the back door, scooping up one of Mackie’s balls on the way. He scampered past, down the steps and into the grass, exuberant that he was outside. It made her smile. She was happy to be out here, too.

Why stay on the deck? She went down the steps after him, loving the feel of the cool grass under her feet. She went over to the big tree near the fence that separated her yard from Adam’s and sat in the shade, leaning against the trunk.

She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with clean air and the scent of life all around her. She rested her hand on one of the roots protruding through the grass, the rough bark warm. Almost like she could feel the life in it. Nature was amazing. And this backyard of hers was heaven.

She tossed the ball in Mackie’s direction. He ran after it, giving it a nudge with his nose when he reached it. He’d never been great at fetch, which amused her.

She popped the top of her soda and took a drink. This was why she’d moved here. A big part of it anyway.

Just sitting outside, enjoying the air, being connected to the earth, this was what she wanted. This was so much better than being surrounded by skyscrapers and concrete. Being out here made the weight of the evening to come seem lighter.

So what if Adam didn’t want her? There were a lot of great guys out there. She’d find one if it was meant to be.

The ticking of her biological clock was making her a little crazy, but true love, the kind that lasted beyond good looks and youth, that couldn’t be rushed.

She had to remember that, as hard as it was sometimes.

She set the can down, leaned back, and watched Mackie. He was definitely enjoying his day.

A phone rang. Not hers. Hers was in her purse on the kitchen counter.

A frustrated grunt preceded the electronic beep of a phone being silenced. A deep sigh followed.

Her brows rose. The sound had come from behind her. Adam? It had to be. Sounded like him. As much as a grunt and a sigh could sound like anyone.

He had to know she was out here, didn’t he? He would have heard her come out. But maybe he hadn’t. Wasn’t like she was eavesdropping. Not exactly. Grunting and sighing did not a conversation make.

But she still felt like she should go back inside and let him be.

Except then he probably would hear her, and would that be weird?

It might be. Especially if he thought she’d been trying to snoop.

That would not be good. She did not want to add to his questionable opinion of her. She froze, not knowing what to do.

Mackie trotted over, lay down next to her, and put his head on her leg. Now she couldn’t move.

Another sound, like the vibration of a phone. A snort of air, then a beep. Then a few low words that sounded more like a growl than words. “Leave me alone.”

Sydney cringed. She was definitely eavesdropping now. Maybe she could go in very quietly. She put her hand down to get up and snapped a small twig. She froze, unwilling to move another inch.

Adam had to have heard that. She squeezed her eyes shut and listened hard. Nothing. Then, after several very long seconds, the sound of footsteps and a door opening and closing. He’d gone in.

She exhaled the breath she’d been holding, opening her eyes. She tipped her head back against the tree, staring up at the sky through the leaves. This was weird. She really hoped after tonight and a serious heart-to-heart that the weirdness would come to an end.

They’d either be more than friends, just friends, or one person who never wanted to speak to the other.

Two out of three she could live with. The other would leave her heartbroken, despite only knowing Adam for a few days. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was the one she was supposed to be with.

Which meant tonight had to go perfectly. Not something she could control but she’d do her best to see it went well. She got up, lifting Mackie into her arms, and went inside.

She’d have something small to eat so she wasn’t ravenous at dinner, then she’d take a shower and start getting ready. It might be early, but she did not want to rush, and she was pulling out all the stops.

Great hair, flawless makeup, perfect nails, a knockout dress, restrained accessories, and a killer pair of heels.

It was going to be a major undertaking, the kind she reserved for big events, but if potentially embarking on a relationship that could give her the future she’d always dreamed about wasn’t a big event, then what was?

She set Mackie down and went to her closet, pulling out the emerald-green lace dress.

It was a masterpiece of Italian design. The perfect color in the softest lace with a subtle sheen.

The dress had been tailored to fit her exquisitely.

The best part was that it was completely modest, covering her from just above her knees to just below her elbows, and yet, because of the way it was fitted, it hugged her curves.

There was something very glamorously sexy about it. It was like a dress Sophia Loren might have worn, back in her heyday.

Sydney planned to pair it with a gorgeous pair of leopard-print heels for fun. Leopard was basically a neutral anyway. Satisfied with her choice, she went to shower and start the process of turning herself into the perfect woman.

A woman Adam Rockford would be unable to say no to.