Chapter Five Savannah
| Five |
Savannah
“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you. How’ve you been? It’s been too long,” Molly said.
“Good. Congrats on your deal. You must be floating.” Savannah forced a note of cheerfulness into her tone that she didn’t feel.
“I am! It’s just amazing. I didn’t sleep for a week when I got the news. I’m sure you’ll be next. Don’t give up.”
Savannah gave her a tight smile. “Thanks. I’m confident my time will come.”
Molly put a hand on Savannah’s arm. “Oh, I’m on a panel this year! You have to come. It’s at eleven.”
Savannah would rather drink poison. “I’ll try. This is a working trip for me. You know, with mega agent Marion Sutton, my boss. I’m helping her with Bennett’s appearances.”
Molly raised her eyebrows. “I saw he got slotted in as a keynote. I was very surprised, actually.”
“Why?”
“All the speculation about his wife’s death. You know, lots of rumors are swirling. The horror writer whose wife fell off their yacht.” She put the word fell in air quotes.
Savannah clenched her hands into fists at her side. “Don’t talk about things you know nothing about. His wife’s death was ruled an accident, and I don’t think the conference director would be too pleased to hear that you’re talking shit about their featured speaker.”
Molly paled. “Sorry! Just repeating what I’ve heard.” She looked around nervously. “Please. Don’t say anything.”
“Just stop talking about him.” Savannah turned and walked away without another word. What was wrong with people? They loved to try to tear others down. It was sickening.
Bennett’s talk was at ten o’clock, and she intended to be front and center.
When she arrived at the auditorium, there was already a crowd gathered even though it was only a little past nine.
She politely made her way through, showing her access badge from the literary agency.
She walked to the front and put her conference bag on a seat and her sweater on the one next to it, saving it for Marion.
As she waited, her mind drifted back again to last night and the way Bennett had held her eyes when they had returned to the hotel.
“Thanks for saving me a seat,” Marion said as she slid her bag under the seat and took a sip of her coffee. “I stayed up way too late. You don’t have any ibuprofen, do you?”
Savannah dug into her purse and pulled out her bottle of Advil. “Here you go.”
Marion took two tablets and handed the bottle back to Savannah. “Thanks.” Savannah debated mentioning her conversation with Molly but decided against it. It didn’t bear repeating.
“Marion, listen. Bennett’s asked me to join him for dinner tonight. Just thought you should know.” The last thing she needed was for someone to see them and mention it to her boss. But she wasn’t going to throw away the chance to advance things between her and Bennett.
Marion’s eyebrows shot up. “I don’t understand. A business dinner?”
Savannah nodded. “He wanted to discuss some social media strategies. You know his social media person is going out on maternity leave in a few weeks and I mentioned that I had experience in that area.” That much was true, but it had nothing to do with their dinner plans.
“Oh well, I guess that makes sense. I’ve already given him some names in the meantime, but it would be good for you to help him navigate finding a temporary replacement.”
Savannah was ready to do just that. Help him find a replacement, but for a wife. Her mind was filled with possibilities as she waited for Bennett to take the stage.
She was mesmerized as he spoke and the fifty minutes seemed to go by in an instant.
He was charming and funny, and when he finished, fans formed a line in front of the podium, eager to get a word with him.
When he finally broke free, Savannah waited by the door for him.
She smiled as he got closer, expecting him to stop, but he kept going, his stride purposeful, not even glancing at her.
What was that? He had to have seen her there waiting.
Suddenly she questioned whether she had only imagined a connection between them.
Upset, she went in search of the next conference session.
She was here to learn, she chided herself, not to obsess over Bennett Bryson.
Scanning the conference brochure, she debated between Writing Memorable Characters and How to Deliver a Killer Twist. Each was being taught by an author she admired, but she decided to go to the twist discussion. That was more aligned with her genre.
She took a seat in the back, only half listening, her mind drifting to Bennett despite her best efforts.
When the session was over, she decided to grab a cup of coffee and take a walk outside to clear her head.
Halfway down the hall, her phone buzzed.
She fished it out of her purse. Her heart skipped a beat. A text. From Bennett.
Sorry I missed you after my presentation—had a blinding headache. Better now—meet you in the lobby at six for dinner?
Elation filled her. She began to answer, then stopped.
She had to do things differently this time.
Being too eager put men off. She thought of the book Jessica had given her.
Rule number one: Never chase men. Rule number two: Not games, mystery.
Answer texts, but not too soon. She would wait at least half an hour before writing him back.
She saw some familiar faces and walked over to a group of women she knew.
She talked to them for a few minutes, then went to the café and got another coffee.
Glancing at her watch, she decided she’d let enough time elapse and texted him back.
Glad you’re feeling better. Can we make it 7:00? Mtg someone for a drink beforehand.
She’d made that part up. Rule number three: Make him think he has competition. Let him wonder who she was meeting. And it served him right for ignoring her earlier.
Immediately three dots danced on her screen.
Sure. Can’t wait.
“What are you smiling about?”
She hadn’t even noticed Marion walking toward her.
“Was I?”
“Uh, yeah. You looked very happy.”
“Just glad to be here. It’s so inspiring. Really makes me want to finish my book.”
“Are you headed to another session?”
“I was trying to decide which,” she bluffed. “Any suggestions?”
Marion glanced at the conference schedule in her hand. “Actually, I think it’s an interview now. With David Morrell. You don’t want to miss that. Shall we go together?”
Savannah nodded. “By the way, I’m meeting Bennett at seven for dinner. Is there anything you want me to bring up?”
Marion shook her head. “We covered everything last night. I’m sure he’ll be eager to leave and get back home.”
But Savannah was going to do her best to keep him here as long as possible.