Chapter Two #2
“That’s okay.” He met her gaze. “I’m not going to play dumb, though.
If you don’t want to talk about yourself, that’s fine – for now.
I’ll go first. And I’ll keep going until you feel safe enough to tell me more about yourself.
” He gave her a wry smile. “Or until you tell me to shut the hell up because I’m boring you stupid. ”
Her hand came up to cover her heart. “Aww, thank you. It’s not that I don’t want to share with you, it’s just that … I don’t … I don’t know.”
“And you don’t have to – not until you want to. So, go ahead – what do you want to know about me?”
He loved the small smile that played on her lips as she studied him before she spoke.
“You can ask anything you like,” he said after a little while. “I’m an open book.”
She nodded. “You are, aren’t you? But you know what? I don’t think asking a bunch of questions is the best way to get to know someone. I think that only really happens by spending time with them – seeing how they behave more than listening to what they say.”
“You’re right,” he said with a grin.
“Are you laughing at me? What do you look so pleased about?”
He chuckled. “You just gave me the perfect reason to ask when I can see you again.”
Her lips quivered. “We’ve not even started our date yet.”
“I know, but it’s like you just said – the only way to get to know each other is to spend time together.”
She laughed. “I didn’t mean it like that. I wasn’t trying …”
“I didn’t think you were, but I am. What are you doing this weekend?”
“I don’t know yet. I don’t have my hours for the restaurant. And I promised Tiffany that I’d do something with her, too.”
He met her gaze. “You’re not trying to put me off, are you?”
She shook her head rapidly. “I’m just telling you how it is for me.”
He loved that about her – she wasn’t the kind to play games, to string him along, or to make him guess.
“Thank you. Then I guess all I can say is that I’d love to see you if you find you have any time to spare.”
A rush of warmth filled his chest when she smiled and said, “I’d like that, too.”
~ ~ ~
By the time she got home to the apartment, Savannah felt as though she was walking on air. She parked out front and ran up the steps. As she opened the front door, her mind was already focused on what she should wear later. She didn’t have all that long.
She and Jake had sat out on the deck until it was dark.
It had been a beautiful sunset – if she were honest, it was probably her favorite sunset ever, and she had hundreds, maybe thousands, of them saved in her photos on her phone.
But no matter the colors of the sky or the lake that reflected it, this was the only sunset she’d ever gotten to watch with Jake.
“Hey!”
She gasped and dropped her keys when Tiffany greeted her.
“Jeez!” Tiffany reached up to touch the towel wrapped around her head. “I’m not that scary, am I? If this frightens you, then I should probably give you advance warning before I slap on a face mask, huh?”
Savannah laughed as she picked up her keys. “It wasn’t the sight of you. I was just lost in my head, I guess, and I didn’t realize you were home.” She made a face. “With most people, I’d know before I came in.”
Tiff gave her a puzzled look.
“Because their car would be parked outside,” she explained.
“Oh, right. Well, maybe I prefer to move around more stealthily.”
“Or maybe you should just let me teach you to drive. I keep offering because I mean it, you know.”
“I know you do, babe – but honestly, Savannah, we’d both hate it if I wrapped your car around a tree or something.
Or if I didn’t figure out how to stop it and drowned myself – and your car – in the lake.
Some things are just not meant to be. Fish aren’t meant to fly, birds aren’t meant to swim, and Tiffs aren’t meant to drive. ”
Savannah had to laugh. “I think you’re wrong about that.
There are flying fish, there are birds – like penguins – that spend a lot of time in the water, and I’m sure there are plenty of Tiffs who drive.
But even so, I don’t care about them – I care about you.
And I really think you should give it a try.
If nothing else, winter’s coming. Why on earth would you want to keep walking around town when it gets cold? ”
Tiffany blew out a sigh. “You’re the best. And I appreciate it – I do. But think about it, even if you teach me, it’s not like I have a car to drive around in, is it?”
“We could get you one.”
“I can’t afford it.”
“We could get you a cheap one, and I’ll do it up for you. Or we could at least put you on my insurance so you can use my car.”
Tiffany tilted her head to the side. “You, sweet Savannah, are an absolute angel. But no way would I take advantage of you like that.” Her smile faded. “And I won’t let anyone else take advantage of you either.”
Savannah laughed. “You make me sound like an innocent country bumpkin who needs protecting.”
“I don’t mean anything bad by it. I mean you’re too good for this world – and most of the assholes in it.”
“I know. But this is Summer Lake, remember? We’re not in the city now.”
Tiffany barked out a laugh. “Don’t I know it.” She rubbed the towel over her hair before yanking it away. “Ta-daaa! What do you think?”
“Oh, wow!”
“I know, right? Isn’t it awesome?”
“It’s beautiful!”
Tiffany’s hair was now an eye-popping electric blue color – with neon pink tips.
“Thanks. I wish you’d let me do yours.”
Savannah reached up instinctively to touch her hair.
She’d hated it as a kid; it was such a light blonde that she just looked wishy-washy – at least, that was what her mom used to say.
Her eyelashes and eyebrows were just as fair – to the point that kids used to tease her that she didn’t have any.
She used to envy girls whose coloring was dark enough that they didn’t need mascara or brow pencils just to look like regular human beings.
These days, she was grateful that her hair looked good even without coloring it. And since Tiff had come along, she insisted that free brow and lash tints were considered standard roommate perks.
Tiff gave her an inquiring look. “Are you considering it? Because you know what, as much as I tease you about wanting to color your hair, I don’t think we should do it. It’s gorgeous just the way it is — and so are you.”
“Thanks. I wasn’t really considering it. I’m grateful for what you already do, and my hair is what it is. I’m okay with me.”
“And so you should be — you’re gorgeous. Listen, I’m just going to go and finish up, and then what do you think – should we order a pizza from Giuseppe’s tonight?”
“Oh! I … I can’t tonight.”
“You have to go back to work? You’ll need to get your ass into gear. I assumed with you getting back so late, you were done for the day.”
“I am. It’s just …”
Tiff sighed and shook her head. “You can tell me. I know you love me; it’s not like I’m going to get jealous if you have plans with someone else. What are you up to?”
Savannah couldn’t help the big smile that spread across her face.
“Oh my god! You’re seeing Jake?!”
She nodded happily.
“Eeek! Okay, date prep mode activated! I have a million questions, but I can ask them while we get you ready. Where are you going? What are you thinking about wearing? Do you want to borrow anything of mine? And do you want me to do your hair – makeup?”
Savannah went to her and hugged her. “You, Tiffany Blue, are the best friend I’ve ever had, and I love you to pieces, but …”
Tiff hugged her back fiercely. “It’s okay.
You don’t need to say it. I get it. I’m sorry – I’m just excited for you.
You want to get yourself ready, you want to look like you – and so you should, because you’re awesome and you’re gorgeous.
You have your own style, and Jake already loves you for who you are.
So, how about …” She stepped back with a grin.
“I zip it, and you tell me all about it while you get ready. If you want any help or reassurance, I’ll be right there with you.
But I won’t interfere – promise. That sound like a plan? ”
“It sounds wonderful.” Savannah didn’t want to tell her that she’d never had the kind of girlfriend she could get ready to go out with. She couldn’t put into words how much Tiff’s friendship meant to her – or how lucky she felt that, for some reason, Tiff seemed to genuinely like her right back.
“Let’s get going, then. Show me what you’re going to wear, tell me as much as you want to share – and tell me to butt out when I push for more!”
As Savannah led her into her bedroom, hoping that she wouldn’t deem her favorite jeans and T-shirt unworthy, Tiff spoke in a low voice, sounding far more serious than usual.
“I have to tell you, babe. You’re the best roommate I’ve ever had, but more than that, you’re an amazing friend. I wouldn’t have thought that someone like you would give me the time of day. I … well, shit, all I’m trying to say is love ya, babe!”
“Aww!” Savannah hugged her again. “I love you, too! But I think you’ve got that the wrong way around – I wouldn’t have thought that you’d want me as a friend.”
“Pft! You’re kidding me?”
“Nope – I’m dead serious.”
“Well, that just goes to show how wrong we both were, doesn’t it?”
“It does, and I’m so glad.”
“Me too. But enough of the sappy shit. We said what we needed to – now let’s get you ready.”