17. Chapter Seventeen | Theo
Chapter seventeen
When Pippa mentioned she needed to have a courier deliver some updated paperwork to Savannah, I personally volunteered for the job.
It’s been one week since I had lunch with Savannah, and that woman has not been far from my thoughts ever since.
My sister may not know about the growing feelings I’m having for Savannah, but Pippa quickly figured out that my interest in the case is more than just because I loathe Shane Williams.
“Is this going to be an issue, Theo?” Pippa asks me. She isn’t mad, but her no-bullshit tone and piercing stare would intimidate most people.
“It won’t, Pippa, I promise. You’re her attorney, I’m just helping out if you need it and for fun to stick it to Shane.
But I promise you, anything that develops between Savannah and me has nothing to do with her soon-to-be ex-husband—not that anything will happen before their divorce is finalized anyway. ”
Pippa points at me like she’s scolding a child. “I like her Theo; I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“I like her too, but I promise you, it is not my intention to hurt her in any way. In fact, it’s closer to say that my intention would be to protect her from being hurt further than she already has been by that douche canoe.”
My juvenile name calling makes my sister laugh.
“I believe you. I just had to check. And Shane Williams might be the definition of a douche canoe. I also don’t want to make Jack Callahan mad because that will in turn reflect on Daphne, and I don’t want to face her wrath.
” She shudders. “I will throw you under the bus to her faster than you can say ‘habeas corpus’ three times fast.”
I put my palms up in front of me. “She scares me, Pip. And I am man enough to admit it.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell me something I don’t know.
Okay, fine. You can deliver the documents, but Theodore Ares Smith-Harrington, you will not hurt her.
I’m speaking to you as your sister, her attorney, and hopefully her friend when this is all said and done.
Cool girlfriends are hard to find after thirty, don’t fuck this up for me. ”
“I hear you, and I promise I have only good intentions when it comes to her.” Well, not all good and pure intentions.
There are definitely some naughty and dirty things I’d like to do with her, but we both would be consenting adults about it and there is zero chance I will ever be discussing those details with my little sister.
“I saw that look, Theo. I don’t want to know what you’re thinking so get out of here before I change my mind.
And tell her to call or text me if she has any questions!
” Pippa calls after me but I’m already out the door with a little zest in my step because I’m on my way to see the gorgeous bombshell who has completely captivated me.
I pull into her driveway and take in her house as I get out of my SUV and walk up to her front porch.
The two-story charcoal-gray house has extensive and beautiful landscaping with large traditional ivory shutters framing the windows.
The front step has a wooden “Welcome” sign, and while it may be the largest property on the block, it has a warmth to it that makes it feel like a home.
I ring the doorbell and notice the security camera tucked in the corner of the porch’s overhang. Smart girl.
“Well, hello, Theo.” Savannah grins as she opens the door.
“To what do I owe this surprise?” I should answer her right away, but she shocked the damn breath right out of me.
She answered the door barefoot wearing skintight blue jeans paired with a deep red V-neck tank that plunges, showing off her insane cleavage.
Her long blonde hair is in a soft braid over one shoulder, and she looks like she walked out of my most patriotic wet dream.
I’m forced to take a step and attempt to adjust the pressure before I embarrass myself.
Taking a deep breath in through my nose, I try to will the blood to stop rushing to my dick.
“Hey there, Savannah. My sister mentioned some documents she needed to have dropped off, and full disclosure? I was more than happy to have an excuse to check in on you in person.” I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if I tried.
Damn, standing in front of her feels like basking in pure sunshine the way she brings my entire body to life.
A small smile graces her face and she tilts her head, taking me in.
Man, I wish I knew what she was thinking right now.
“Where are my manners? Please come in! I have a little bit before I pick up the girls from school.” She opens the door further, and after shutting it behind me, I follow her from the foyer down a short hallway to her kitchen.
“What are the documents for? Do I need to sign anything?” she asks over her shoulder.
“Honestly, I didn’t look at them. But if you want to open them, I can walk you through whatever they are.
” And hold your hand too while you read them.
She smiles up at me and opens the manilla envelope as she leans against the kitchen island while I slip my reading glasses on to peek at the documents in her hands.
“Oh, these are just updated evaluations of the joint properties. It looks like they added in the penthouse in Nashville.”
“That fucking penthouse. Sorry, excuse me, but I hate that place,” Savannah growls, her little kitten side showing again. Not every woman is cute when they are angry, but a pissed off Savannah is adorable. I’m smart enough of a man to not let her know that, at least not right now anyway.
I lean against the counter with my hip and try to read the mix of emotions on her face. “What’s wrong with it?”
She huffs and rolls her eyes. “Well, I don’t know that anything is wrong with the physical place, but it’s the match that blew everything up, you know? Ugh. Whatever, it’s fine. I just have zero interest in ever setting foot in that place, unless it’s to piss off my ex, of course.”
“Of course. Have you been doing that a lot this week?” I want to know what has been filling her days, stealing her attention, and any other scrap of information about her and her life.
“You know, I haven’t had many chances to since his tantrum last week after court, but I’m sure the opportunity will arise soon enough.
” She picks up the papers and looks through them before putting them back in the envelope.
“Will you be at the meeting next week? I mean, I’m sure you have other cases and things going on, so I don’t actually know why I asked that.
I’m confident your sister can handle it.
It will be fine.” She flashes a well-practiced smile, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Pippa absolutely can handle it, but Savannah, is that what you really wanted to say?”
“What do you mean?” She rolls her lips over her teeth.
“Were you asking if I was going to be there because you’re questioning my sister’s ability to handle it, or … were you asking if I was going to be there because you want me to be there with you?”
She looks down at her hands and bites that damn lip again.
I have to ball my hands into fists to keep from reaching up and tugging it free with my thumb.
I want to slide my hand along her neck and guide her face back up so her eyes are on me.
But I wait. She’s going to be worth the wait—and whatever we have will be too.
Savannah raises her gaze and searches my eyes, and I’m not sure what she is looking for, but she must find it.
She clears her throat before responding, “Yeah, I think I would like you to be there if it’s possible.
I know your sister is great and I trust her, but after everything that happened the other week, I think I’d feel safer if you were there too.
I totally understand if you’re too busy, or can’t make it, or even if Pippa wouldn’t want you there for some reason. ”
Her quiet admission makes me feel like a king, even though she so quickly gave me an easy excuse to say no to her request. “My sister wouldn’t care; we aren’t like that.
We take a team approach on a lot of our cases.
I will do everything I can to be there, okay?
I can’t prevent an emergency hearing or something popping up, but if it is possible, I will be there, at your side, watching your back, wherever you want me. ”
“I know you’ll make sure I’m safe, so by my side would be nice.”
“Then that’s where I’ll be.” Or wherever else you want or need me.
Her smile widens as a ringing tone grabs her attention. “That’s my calendar reminder to head out for school pickup. Thanks for running these by, and also, for just checking in on me.”
I grab a business card from my pocket and scribble my number on it. “Absolutely, and I will see you next week, but you let me know if you have any questions or if anything else comes up, okay? This is my personal cell, so text or call whenever.”
Savannah picks it up and turns the card over in her hands before looking up at me, searching my face for …
something, but I’m not sure what it is. “That seems to be going above and beyond a bit, right?” She sounds oddly vulnerable right now, and while I like her seeing that I’m willing to do whatever I can for her, I don’t want her to be unsure of anything either.
“Maybe, but some things—and people—are worth going the extra mile for, and I’m a big believer in following my gut instinct about people.” Keep it cool, man. Stay focused on the big picture here, and not how badly I want to literally sweep her off her feet and into my arms.
She hums and tilts her head. “And what does your gut say about me?”
I don’t hold back the grin that spreads across my face, nor do I miss the faint blush that appears on her cheeks as I answer, “That you are absolutely worth it.”