Chapter Twelve
“Hey, do you want coffee?” Josh asked when Jake entered the kitchen on Sunday morning.
He ran a hand over his face and yawned. “I’d love one, thanks.”
When Josh handed him a mug, he took it and went to sit at the table. Josh came to sit opposite him.
“It was a good night last night, huh?”
Jake smiled into his coffee as he murmured, “The best.”
Josh chuckled. “You and Savannah are good together.”
Jake nodded happily before sitting up a little straighter. “What does that mean? Did you think we wouldn’t be?”
“Relax,” said Josh. “That’s not what I meant.
I just thought it might take her a while to feel.
.. I don’t know... at ease. Comfortable with you.
The way you guys were with each other last night — it seemed like you’d always been together.
I thought she might still be more... cautious.
Not because of you or anything about you,” he added quickly, “just because — that’s how she works. And that usually—”
Jake set his mug down. “You mean with other boyfriends?” he asked with a frown.
Josh laughed. “Jeez, relax, would you? I’m trying to say that it looks like things are going well for you, and that I’m surprised how comfortable she seems. And no, I didn’t mean with other boyfriends.
I can’t think of her ever really having had a boyfriend.
I mean, sure, she’s dated – and I’m out of the loop because I’ve been gone for so long.
But we always kept in touch and she hasn’t …
nothing like...” He hesitated, then added, “Nothing like the way it seems you two are together. I mean, you’re looking for something serious, right? ”
“I am. You know that; I told you from the start.”
“Sorry. I’m not trying to question your intentions or anything. I’m just…” Josh smiled. “I like where this is going. And I know you don’t need my permission or anything, but I like it. Okay?” He chuckled. “And I’m not the only one.”
Jake looked up from his coffee. “What do you mean?”
“I’m talking about Tiffany. You seem to have won her over — and before last night, I wouldn’t have liked your odds of doing that.”
“Yeah, I didn’t know how that was going to go either,” said Jake.
“She’s… fierce. And from what Savannah said, I already knew that Tiff was protective of her.
” He frowned, remembering his conversation with Savannah last night before they went into The Boathouse, and added, “Not that Savvie can’t look out for herself — but Tiff’s a different story.
She’s tougher. I’m glad she has Savvie’s back.
And I’ll be honest, I’m glad she doesn’t have a problem with me. ”
“Oh, she more than doesn’t have a problem with you,” said Josh. “What was it she said last night on the way home? You have the Tiffany stamp of approval. I get the impression there aren’t many people who can claim that.”
“You might have a point there. Do you know much about her?”
Josh shrugged. “Only that she came from the city. She’s been here maybe a year now – longer than I’ve been back.” He frowned. “And she doesn’t drive. Is that true?”
“It is — although Savvie’s trying to change that. She wants to teach her and get her a little beater she can run around town in.”
“That sounds like Savvie.” Josh gave him a puzzled look. “And since when do you call her that?”
“Since last night,” Jake said with a smile. “I thought you picked up on it when we were all walking home. I know Tiff did.”
“I was too busy defending myself against Tiffany.”
The four of them had walked home together from The Boathouse.
Well, he and Josh had walked Savannah and Tiff back to the apartment before turning around and coming back here.
It wasn’t exactly the kind of end to the evening Jake had been hoping for – he’d much rather have been alone with Savannah – but since that wasn’t happening, walking with Josh and Tiffany had been a good laugh.
It turned out that Tiffany really was into Brayden, but he hadn’t been there last night.
Josh had looked a little taken aback when she’d asked if he wanted to walk home with them.
She’d soon put him in his place, assuring him that she had no interest in him in any romantic or sexual sense – but since she didn’t want to play third wheel with Jake and Savannah, and they insisted she couldn’t walk home by herself, Josh would be doing her a favor if he came because she wanted to pick his brain about online marketing.
She’d proceeded to do just that all the way home. And although he and Savannah had walked hand in hand, it had very much been a hangout-with-friends-on-the-way-home kind of walk, instead of the romantic stroll he’d originally had in mind.
"It's a pity Savannah has to work today," said Josh.
"Yeah." The two of them were going over to Uncle Dom and Sadie's place later. They were all going to hang out, have lunch, and spend the afternoon together. Jake was looking forward to seeing them all, but it would be even better if Savannah were there.
Josh got to his feet. "Do you want pancakes? I usually starve myself before I go over to Mom and Dom's. There's always so much good food, but I feel like I need something to soak up some of the beer from last night."
Jake stood. "I can make them." Having pancakes for breakfast was a tradition that had started when he first moved in, when Uncle Dom was still living here, long before Josh arrived in town.
Josh smiled. "I know you can. And you always do. If you want to do it, I'm not going to take over. But if you want to pass the torch..." He chuckled. "Or the spatula, I thought you might want to talk to Savannah before she goes to work."
Jake went to the cutlery drawer and took out the spatula without a word. He went back to Josh and handed it to him with a solemn expression. "With this spatula, I hereby induct you into the hall of official breakfast makers and welcome you into the family tradition of pancakes on weekends."
Josh took the spatula with a laugh, and when he said, "Awesome.
I guess we really are officially family now," it hit Jake that it was true.
He wasn't sure what label, what name there was for it.
They were kind of cousins-in-law, he guessed.
But the name was less important than the bond.
And somehow, stupid as it was, the deal with the spatula symbolized much more than just a joke over who got to make breakfast.
~ ~ ~
"Oh, wow, thanks," said Savannah when Tiffany slid a plate in front of her. "This looks wonderful, Tiff."
"You're welcome. It will be. Dig in."
Tiffany went back to the kitchen and returned, bringing a plate of her own and another stacked high with pancakes that she set in the middle of the table.
Savannah's eyes grew wider. "How many months have we lived together?" she asked.
Tiffany shrugged as she picked up a sausage and nibbled on the end. "A few now. I don't know. I only count things when I don't like them. Why?"
Savannah glanced at the huge stack of pancakes and said, "I see what you mean," with a laugh.
"I like pancakes. I know you like them. So, I figured I'd make a pile, and we can both enjoy them without wondering who's going to get the last one."
Savannah looked down at the plate in front of her. Hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausages, and bacon were all piled high. "I'm going to enjoy all of this," she said. "There's no way I'll be fighting you for the last pancake, no matter how much I might want to."
"Exactly," said Tiff. "We'll both get as many as we want, and neither of us will have to feel bad. But why did you ask how long we've lived together?"
"Because you've never made a breakfast like this. Not that I'm complaining, although maybe I am a little bit, now that I know what I've been missing out on."
Tiffany grinned. "I would have but we've never both been home and awake at the same time when one of us didn't have to go rushing off somewhere else.
I know you have to go to work in a while, but there's no hurry.
And last night was such a great night." She shrugged. "I thought we should celebrate."
"It was a good time, wasn't it?" Savannah asked with a smile.
"It was more than just a good time, girl. Speaking personally, I had a blast. I never thought I liked country music till I came here, but I can see the appeal now. And that Carson Tate..." She waggled her eyebrows. "I'd let him show me the bed of his truck anytime."
Savannah laughed. "Wasn't he amazing? I knew that he came here sometimes. Quite a few of the artists do. They come to see Clay."
"Yeah, but they don't usually get up and sing like that, do they? And most of them are the older ones, like Clay. Don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against old people."
Savannah burst out laughing. "He's not exactly old."
"I know. I didn't mean that. If Clay MacAdam wanted to show me the bed of his truck, I wouldn't say no to him either."
Savannah almost choked on her hash brown, and Tiffany simply shrugged. "What can I tell you? He's hot."
"Yeah, but he's not Brayden, is he?"
Tiffany's shoulders sagged. "Do you think he's avoiding me?"
That hadn't occurred to Savannah. "I don't think so. He wouldn't do that, would he?"
Tiff pursed her lips. "Maybe. I know I can come on a little strong.
Usually, Donovan talks him into coming out with him and Elle, but when I asked about him last night, Donovan just said he couldn't come.
" She blew out a big sigh. "I should probably just face it, shouldn't I?
He's not interested. I mean, what's a guy like him going to see in a girl like me? "
Savannah shook her head. "From what I know of him, Brayden's a smart guy. And anyone with any sense can see that you're a real catch."
"You're the sweetest, Savvie. And I'm not saying you're wrong." She sat up straighter and preened a little. "I am a good catch." Her smile faded. "Just maybe not good enough for Brayden."