" Well , would you look at that ? Your girlfriend actually showed up ? " Bruce and his two buddies all turned toward the bathroom at once . When Sydney stepped out , surprise and something closer to disappointment flickered across their faces . She forced a smile , nerves fraying , and greeted them individually . " Bruce ... " " Syd , " Bruce said as if it were perfectly ordinary for her to be there . " So you and your brother finally made up ? " Her mind scrambled for a plausible explanation . His phrasing handed her a lifeline . She nodded quickly . " Yeah . That's right .
" " Syd's here already ? " Caleb's voice cut across the room . She looked to see him standing there . He had dressed casually for the friends - only gathering , but he still carried that air of clean - cut elegance . Beside him , shoulder to shoulder , was Penelope . It was the first time he had so openly brought her into his circle of friends - almost like an announcement . Sydney smirked faintly . She did not mind . Soon , the divorce certificate would be in her hands . " Yeah , " she said lightly . " I live across the hall . Came over to help Jules warm the place .
That's not a problem , right ? " The rare sound of her calling him Jules tugged at Julian's mouth . Raymond , quick to sense the undercurrent , stepped in smoothly . " Of course , not a problem . " " Exactly , " Bruce chimed in , clearly delighted . He had waited ages for her and Julian to reconcile . He leaned closer , gossip thick in his tone . " Syd , where's your brother's gal ? Still in the room ? Go call her out so we can all meet her . " Heat surged across Sydney's face . She shot a desperate glance at Julian .
How could she explain there was no " gal , " that the lipstick on his mouth had been hers? But Julian only met her eyes , leaned back , and watched her squirm with a leisurely , almost curious interest . It was as though he was entertained by her struggle to talk her way out of this . Her heart thudded . Seeing no rescue coming , she grinned and blurted , " There's no gal . He just got dumped . " " What ? " Bruce and the others gawked . " Didn't he just start dating ? " Sydney misinterpreted and assumed they meant the woman Julian had supposedly broken up with . " Yeah .
" She spoke without thinking . " When I came over , he still had lipstick on his mouth . Must've been a breakup kiss . " Peals of laughter rippled through the room . The idea that the untouchable Sterling heir had been dumped days into a relationship was delicious gossip . A low , sharp - edged laugh rumbled from Julian's chest . He pressed his tongue against his cheek and looked 1/2 straight at her . " I've heard of a breakup screw . Where the hell did you dig up a breakup kiss ? " His voice slid with mockery . " Trendy , is it ? " The words made Sydney's thoughts skid sideways .
Her face burned . Before she could even respond , the sharp - eyed Bruce's gaze flicked deliberately to Julian's waist . He slapped his hand against his thigh and said to Sydney , " No way your brother broke up . He and his girl are just fooling around , adding some spice . " Confused , Sydney blinked . " Huh ? " Bruce jerked his chin toward Julian . " Look at that belt . Not his style at all . Definitely a gift . You know what it means when a woman gives a man a belt? " Sydney's stomach lurched . She recognized it - the one she had given Julian when she replaced his ruined suit .
Her smile stiffened . " What does it mean ? " " Obviously they're together , " Bruce crowed . " Who gives a man a belt unless they're his girlfriend ? " The words sank like stones . Almost against her will , Sydney glanced at Julian . His eyes sparkled with amusement , no sign of rescue , only watching as if he enjoyed the spectacle . Her throat tightened . She coughed lightly , feigning calm . " Oh , I see . " Before she could deflect again , Penelope's sharp , assessing gaze swept over her . Her eyes narrowed on Sydney's lips . Then , with feigned innocence , she dropped a bomb .
" Syd , your lipstick today ... it's exactly the same color as the one smudged on Mr. Sterling's mouth earlier . Identical . Don't tell me you're the girlfriend he's been hiding . "