Chapter Eleven
Jake parked in front of Savannah’s apartment and had to laugh when he looked up and saw Tiffany waving at him from the living room window.
He hadn’t been sure what to make of her at first, but now he knew all he needed to know – she was good to Savannah, and that was all that mattered to him.
Savannah thought the world of her, and whenever she spoke about her, it was obvious to him that the feeling was mutual.
He waved back and climbed out of his truck.
He decided not to ring the bell since Tiff had seen him.
Instead, he turned to look out at the river.
He wasn’t sure he liked this place for Savannah.
It wasn’t an apartment building or anything – her and Tiff’s place was the only apartment here, and it was above a warehouse.
The guy who owned the place – Austin, the local realtor – wouldn’t rent it to two girls by themselves if he didn’t think it was safe, though.
And it wasn’t as though Summer Lake was a place where you had to worry about much.
It was just that they had no neighbors here.
That thought made him feel like a bit of a hypocrite.
He’d love to have no neighbors. He’d love even more to have this great view of the river.
It wasn’t like looking out on the lake, but if anything, he liked it more. It felt more private.
He spun around when he heard the door open behind him.
Tiffany laughed out loud. “Oh, don’t look so disappointed that it’s only me. She’ll be down in a minute. I’m just getting a head start. I’m going to get out of here and let you lovebirds do your thing.”
He frowned. “What do you mean, get out of here? I thought you were coming tonight.”
“I am. I mean, I’m going to get my ass over there now.”
“You’re going to walk?” he asked incredulously.
She rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m not going to fly, am I?”
He let out a short laugh. “I’m never too sure with you.”
To his relief, she laughed with him. “I’ll see you guys over there, okay?”
“Not, it’s not okay. I’m here, I have my truck, and we’re all going to the same place. Why wouldn’t you ride with us?”
“Duh. Because you guys are on a date, and you don’t need me tagging along.
And besides, it’s not far. You have to remember that I walk everywhere.
And before you give me any of that big protective guy stuff that seems so common around here, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.
This place might seem scary to you, but you have to remember that before I came here, I was working the night shift at a gas station in L.A. ”
He raised his eyebrows. He hadn’t known that.
Tiff nodded as if her point was proven. “I can take care of myself, I told you.”
He met her gaze and held it. “I’m not saying you can’t.
What I’m saying, is that you don’t have to.
I mean, walk if you really want to.” He gave her a wry smile.
“I’d never try to talk you out of doing something you want to do.
But if you’re just going to do that from some sense of…
I don’t even know what. Giving Savannah and me a few more minutes by ourselves – I appreciate the thought, but we don’t need it. ”
He glanced up at the apartment. “I bet you didn’t even tell her I was here, did you? You’re trying to sneak out because you know damn well that she’ll say the same thing I’m saying.”
Tiff glared back at him for a moment before huffing out a laugh. “You’re smarter than I was giving you credit for, soldier boy.”
That made him laugh. “Soldier boy? I was a Marine, if you don’t mind.”
“Okay, whatever – Marine man. I was trying to do you a favor here, that’s all.”
“I know, and I appreciate it. But you don’t need to.
Instead of hotfooting it over there, why don’t you come with us?
” He glanced up at the apartment again. “I’m hoping that this is just the beginning for Savannah and me.
It’d be nice to get to know her friend. You’re important to her.
I’m going to have to try to win your approval at some point. ”
She nodded slowly. “Okay, you win. But you’d better ring the bell. Otherwise, she won’t know you’re here waiting.” She went to the truck and opened the back door. Before she climbed in, she gave him a genuine smile. “That winning-my-approval thing? You just made a good start on that.”
He said thanks, but he doubted she even heard it as she closed the truck door behind her.
~ ~ ~
Savannah wasn’t surprised when they reached the resort and Tiff asked Jake to drop her at the entrance to The Boathouse.
“I’ll see you guys in there,” she called as she jumped out.
“It’s not that she doesn’t like you,” Savannah assured Jake quickly, and was surprised when he chuckled.
“It’s okay. We figured it out between us before you came down. She was planning to walk into town.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. What surprises me is that she came with us. What happened?”
Jake glanced over at her before pulling the truck into an empty spot over by the railings. “I asked her to ride with us.”
Savannah smiled. “I figured that much. What I want to know is how you persuaded her to do it.”
He cut the engine, and a small smile played on his lips as he shrugged. “I told her that since I’m hoping to spend a lot more time with you, she and I should probably get to know each other.”
He looked more serious as he added, “I know you wouldn’t feel comfortable with me if she didn’t like me.”
Her heart sank. “I can think for myself, you know.”
“Oh, shit. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know.” She reached over and touched his arm. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
He took hold of her hand. “All I meant was that I know your people are important to you, and I know that your people like to look out for you — including Tiff. I want her to see who I am, to know … that she doesn’t need to defend you against me, I guess, is what I mean.
I don’t know her well, but she’s a protector in her own way, isn’t she? ”
“She is,” said Savannah softly. “And I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
He squeezed her hand. “You didn’t. I understand what you meant. And I’m sorry that I made it sound like Tiff got more of a say in your life than you do. That wasn’t what I meant.”
“Okay.” She smiled. “It was a misunderstanding. It’s behind us.” She glanced out the window. “What do you think? Shall we go on in? It’s been a long time since I’ve had a night out like this, and I’m looking forward to it.”
He smiled. “I am, too.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they walked across the parking lot, and when he opened the door for her to go in, a blast of warm air, carrying the sound of music, chatter, and laughter, and the smell of good food and beer, washed over her like a welcome.
Once they were inside, he wrapped his arm around her again and guided her through the crowd toward the bar. When they reached it, Kenzie waved to them from the other end, but it was Crystal who came to serve them.
“Hey, Savvie,” Crystal said. “It’s good to see you out. What can I get you guys?”
Jake raised his eyebrows, and Savannah said, “Just two beers, please.” She reached for her purse, but Jake covered her hand with his.
“At the risk of putting my foot in it again, can I get these?”
“Okay, thanks.”
“What I really meant was — can I get tonight? I asked you out, so …”
She held his gaze. He was sweet, but she didn’t need him spending all his money on her. At the same time, she didn’t particularly want to get into an argument — especially not with Crystal watching them. After a moment, she gave him a slight nod and said, “Thanks.”
“All the usual gang’s out tonight if you want to join them,” said Crystal. “Tiffany’s over there with them.”
There was something about the way she said that and glanced toward the dance floor with a slight scowl that made Savannah follow her gaze.
When she saw a group of her friends from high school all sitting together — Elle and Donovan, Abbie and Ivan, Colt and Cassie, and the rest of them — she had to smile when she spotted Tiffany talking to Dallas.
That had to be Crystal’s problem. Savannah wanted to set her mind at ease, so she asked, “Do you know if Brayden’s here?”
Crystal glanced at Jake, looking puzzled. “He’s the quiet one, right?”
“That’s right,” said Savannah with a smile.
Even Jake looked puzzled now.
Crystal shook her head. “Haven’t seen him.”
“That’s a shame,” said Savannah. “I think that’s who Tiff’s looking for.”
“Really?” Crystal asked with a big grin, glancing over to where Dallas was now talking to his brother, Austin, and Logan.
After Jake had paid her and she moved down the bar to serve other customers, he raised his eyebrows at Savannah. “Can I just make sure I’m following this right?” he asked with a puzzled smile.
She laughed. “You can ask, but I think you probably figured it out. I was obvious enough about it, wasn’t I?”
“Maybe. But just to be sure — Crystal likes Dallas and wasn’t happy that Tiff was talking to him. And Tiff likes … Brayden?”
“There’s no need to look so shocked,” she said with a laugh. “Brayden’s a good guy. Why shouldn’t she like him?”
“Yeah. Shit. No, sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. Brayden’s a great guy — I’ve chatted with him a few times. He’s really smart. It’s just …” He glanced over at Tiff and the others again. “I would never have had him down as her type.”
“That’s the thing with Tiff. You should never imagine that you know anything, because I can tell you from experience — she’ll always surprise you. And mostly in a very good way. But yeah, she’s had a thing for Brayden ever since she first came to town.”
“And he doesn’t feel the same way?”