3.1 Sydney

Sydney sat back in her seat and surveyed her surroundings, marvelling at how quickly things could change. Last weekend she was out jogging by herself, watching the crowds of people laughing and enjoying the summer evening. She was, by nature, a home-body, and most times preferred an evening at home or out with a few friends. But on evenings such as that, she watched large family gatherings or beach parties with a touch of envy.

Tonight was another story. They were congregated at the local patio overlooking the beach, and had been joined by Josh and Tim's opponents from their first game, Antonio and Dan, as well as Dan's girlfriend Sarah and brother Neil. The patio, lit by sparkling white lights and Tiki torches, tended towards an older crowd, and was packed with summer worshippers closer to Sydney's own age than to the twenty-somethings that filled most clubs in the city's core.

Sydney chuckled as Josh and Olivia slapped yet another round of shot glasses on the table, and wondered if Olivia realized that Josh was trying desperately to impress her. Poor guy hadn't a chance, as Olivia had been shooting sideways glances towards Marco, who was much more her type.

Summer was laughing and throwing darts with Dan and his girlfriend. They had stopped playing for a second in order to argue a point, and Sydney watched as a tall man with jet black hair and steely blue eyes walked onto the patio. He searched the crowd for a brief minute, and then, spotting Summer, made a beeline for her group. He slid his arms around her waist and turned her to face him before dipping her dramatically and kissing her neck.

Luc was such a romantic, thought Sydney. But then, these Frenchmen always were. Summer's boyfriend, a music producer, lived in Montreal during the week, but came to Toronto most weekends. He was an intense man, but strong, compassionate, and a great conversationalist - he could talk to anyone.

Brrrrrt. Brrrrrt.

Her blackberry went off. It was from Olivia.
Message Status: Opened
To: Sydney Maxwell
Sent: July 20, 2007 11:48 PM
From: Olivia Bodnar
Subject: Status?

OMG Syd, this guy is too funny. Not sure how I’m going to break it to him that he’s not my type, but I’ll figure it out. Meantime, whattup with you and Tim? Grab Summer away from Luc in 15 and let’s have a pow wow in the ladies room

Sydney looked down at the end of the table to where Olivia was sitting and smiled and gave her the thumbs up.

"Your beverage, madam," said Tim with an exaggerated French accent. He placed a fresh Caesar in front of her, and then sat down across from her. Antonio and Neil had returned from the bar with him, and put a fresh pitcher of beer and a platter of wings on the table.

"Thank you garcon" replied Sydney. "Now that's what I call service. But it took you guys a while - new bartender?"

"Hardly," replied Tim, "these two bozos couldn't decide what kind of sauce to order for the wings. Who knows what we ended up with?"

Sydney had just taken a huge bite out of a chicken wing and thought she had never eaten anything so spicy in her life. Eyes streaming, she reached for her drink to cool her mouth.

"Syd wait!" Tim reached out a hand as if to prevent her from taking a sip, but it was too late.

Sydney spluttered and choked as a mouthful of tabasco-rich Caesar went down her throat.

Neil handed her a glass of water and Antonio gave her some napkins. Tim had his hand across his mouth trying hard not to laugh.

"You did say you liked it extra spicy," he said, ducking just in time to avoid the piece of celery that Sydney threw at his head.