Chapter 19 Nothing Like Your Sister #2
He gave her shoulders a squeeze. “No way, woman. You’d meet him sooner or later anyway.”
They waded through the throng of people at the entrance waiting to get a table. The blond oak bar ran almost the entire length of the restaurant. As they wandered past the patrons, Punc spotted Brian sitting at a high-top table.
Brian caught sight of him and raised a glass in the air.
Punc made short work of introducing Savannah to his friend.
Brian’s smile at Savannah lingered before he said, “You look nothing like your sister.”
Savannah turned her head and shot him a mild dose of side-eye.
Punc’s anger kept him from noticing more of her reaction. He stepped closer to the table, his eyes narrowed on Brian. “What the fuck, man?”
Savannah put her hand on his bicep. “Ted, I’m sure it’s—”
Punc turned to Savannah. “Why would he know what she looks like, when he was supposed to be watching the house at night?”
Brian moved the pitcher to the side of the table and leaned toward Punc.
“I showed up at dusk more than once because that was when she was alone. For whatever reason, she walked her dog out in the front yard instead of the back. If I didn’t know any better, she did it specifically so she could talk to me.
I told her not to parade around in front of the house, but she claims the dog doesn’t like the back yard. ”
Punc kept wide eyes on Brian. “You should have told me about that shit. I’d have—”
Savannah hiked herself up on a barstool across from Brian. “It wouldn’t have mattered, Punc. She wouldn’t have listened to you or me about it. She can be headstrong in certain circumstances. Like thinking a guy assigned to watch the house is really hot.”
“He’s twice her age,” Punc clipped out.
Brian’s head reared back. “She’s sixteen?”
Savannah shot him a sweet smile. “Seventeen. Her birthday was last week.”
“Fuck,” Brian hissed.
“You knew that shit, asshole. I told you she was in high school—”
Brian poured beer into one of the empty pint glasses, then turned irritated eyes at Punc. “I’d never go there, Ted. It’s just she doesn’t look seventeen, she looks older.”
Savannah patted the barstool next to her. “Sit down. Your anger is starting to draw attention.”
Brian set the pint glass in front of Savannah.
She put it on a coaster in front of Punc. “No, thanks. Let Ted have this one.”
An impressed look crossed Brian’s face and he looked at Punc. “Wow, a woman who gives up a beer to you.”
Punc rolled his eyes. “It’s not a big deal, man. She’s not a beer drinker.”
“Maybe that’s the sign I missed with Darla,” Brian muttered.
Savannah tilted her head and Brian glanced her way. “What a woman drinks is no sign of whether she’s the right woman. I heard she was jealous. That’s never cool and it’s always better to move on from that - the quicker the better.”
“I’d toast to that with you, but your man hasn’t taken care of getting you a drink.”
As if on cue, a server stopped by the table, and took Savannah’s drink order.
When the server left, Savannah said, “You can toast with Ted.”
Brian winked at her. “Now, that would be rude.”
Punc picked up his glass. “Bry, stop flirtin’ with her.”
Savannah leaned toward Punc. “He wasn’t flirting,” she whispered.
Punc focused his dry look on her. “You wouldn’t think so. I know better, and not just because I’m a man, but because after our time in the Navy, I know how he operates.”
The server arrived with Savannah’s wine, interrupting any retort she might have had.
Brian sipped his beer, watching them. When Savannah straightened, Brian caught her gaze. “He’s right. I was flirting with you… gotta get back in shape before I put myself out there again. And he was right to put me in my place about it.”
She nodded. “Understandable, but don’t test your flirting capabilities with my sister. She’s not half as experienced as she’d have you believe.”
Brian raised his fingers in a mock salute. “So noted. I’m gonna hit the head.” He turned to Punc. “If the waitress comes back by, tell her I need an order of hot boneless wings, blue cheese, no celery and a side order of loaded potato skins.”
Punc nodded, and was grateful Brian hustled away before noticing Savannah’s wide eyes.
“Is he trying to give himself a heart attack?” she asked.
He chuckled and shook his head. “No, sweetheart. He works out every day. These days I’d lay money he hits the gym twice if not three times a day. He’ll work it all off.”
Her eyes widened even as she glanced to the side. “I should hope so. Cat would hate to hear something happened to him.”
Punc laughed long and loud. Once he had himself under control, he cupped Savannah’s cheek.
“I hesitate to point this out but there’s no way you or your sister are boring.
Catalina going out of her way to talk to a man almost twice her age is exactly the kind of crazy shit I’m afraid you two will do. ”
She shot him a coy smile. “Lucky for me, I’ve got you.”
His lips tipped up as he lowered his face toward hers. “Damn right you do.”
“So this guy,” Brian tipped his head at Punc. “Reaches out and grabs a live rattlesnake like it’s a fuckin’ toy and not a pissed-off, venomous reptile.”
Savannah’s wide eyes darted from him back to Brian. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not. He nearly earned himself the nickname, Irwin, but the others in our platoon didn’t watch Animal Planet.”
Savannah shot him an incredulous look. “Did you get bit?”
“No, babe. And he exaggerates. It wasn’t a rattlesnake. I didn’t keep hold of it long enough for any of us to find out. Grabbed that mofo and threw it off the side of Humvee. Besides, I was wearing gloves.”
She arched a brow. “I’m no expert, but I’m sure it could have bitten you through your glove, Ted.”
Brian chuckled. “Exactly, Ted.” He locked eyes with Savannah. “So, you’re not an expert on reptiles, what are you an expert on?”
A blush crept into her cheeks. “Oh, I don’t know. I used to style hair, so there’s that.”
“But you don’t anymore?”
She shook her head. “No. It wasn’t for me. Now, I clean houses.”
“Really?”
She sipped her white wine and nodded. “Yeah, I’ve been at it for almost four years now.”
“You like it?” Brian asked.
“Yeah. Rita’s an awesome boss. It’s hard to beat that.”
Brian gave a half nod. “True, unless you can work for yourself.”
Punc caught his buddy’s gaze and said in a warning tone, “Brian.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “What? She’s smart. I bet she could run her own cleaning company.”
“I can’t do that. Math was never my strong suit in school, but it’s sweet of you to say,” Savannah said, her tone dismissive of the idea.
Brian leaned forward. “That’s an excuse. They have software that does the accounting. Focus on learning how to use a spreadsheet.”
She laughed.
Brian continued. “I’m not joking, Excel is a big calculator. Doing that job for four years, I bet you know what it takes to make the business work.”
The more Punc listened to Brian, the more he thought his friend was on to something. He turned to her. “How old is Rita? Is she close to retirement age?”
Savannah grabbed a loaded potato skin. “How did this become about me?”
Brian tipped his pint glass toward her. “You got potential, and I hate seeing anyone squander that.”
Her lips twisted and she gave him a disbelieving look. “You hardly know me, but thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Your sister had plenty of high praise for you.”
Punc let out a growly sigh. “How fuckin’ long did you chat with her?”
“Wasn’t like that, bro. She’s a good egg. I thought she was nervous and that was why she was so chatty.”
“And chatting with her was something Darla didn’t like,” Punc muttered.
Brian shook his head. “I know what you’re driving at, man, but I didn’t sabotage myself this time. She broke my trust.”
Punc lifted his chin. “You should hit our next cookout.”
“I might do that, but I’m still not joining.”
“Never say never, brother.”
Savannah tapped the table with her finger to get Brian’s attention. “Before I forget, thank you for keeping Catalina safe. I appreciate that more than you’ll ever know.”
Brian’s face softened with his smile. “You’re welcome. I hesitate to say this in front of Chisholm, but he’s saved my ass more than once while we were deployed and there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for him.”
Savannah nodded. “Yeah, he’s pretty great. Still, I’m grateful to you.”
Brian raised his pint glass toward her. “You’re still welcome. And if you feel indebted, and you’re not willing to start your own company - at least ask your boss for a promotion. Maybe she could show you the ropes if you wanted to branch out later.”
After they got back from Rounder’s, they found Catalina lounging on the sofa in a marathon text session with a friend.
She set her phone aside and sat up with a huge smile. “Muriel is freaking awesome! She hooked me up with all kinds of people in the cardiology department, and I’ve got an interview for a volunteer position with the pediatric unit.”
“Cardiology?” Savannah asked.
Cat shrugged a shoulder. “I’m considering medical school - thanks to Muriel. Not that nursing school will be a breeze or anything, but after what happened to Mom, it’d be nice to be able to keep other women from suffering the same way.”
“Yeah,” Savannah whispered. After a deep breath she said, “Guess I don’t have to ask if it went well. Sounds like it was quite the experience.”
Cat’s eyes lit up. “Yeah. Muriel really knows how to work a room, as she puts it. Told me it was a by-product of being a head surgeon’s wife for so many years.”
“Do you have band camp tomorrow?” Savannah asked.
Cat shook her head and grabbed her phone. “No, Bella and I are thinking of hitting the beach in the morning, though.”
“Just the two of you?” Punc asked.
Cat’s expression became guarded. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Why don’t you sound sure?” Savannah asked.
Cat sighed. “I think Bella’s boyfriend is going to be there, but that’s only if the waves are good. And if he can drag himself out of bed. He’s not known for being an early riser.”
Punc nodded. “I don’t really care, but don’t let any of those high school boys pull any shit with you.”
Cat stood and edged toward the hall to her bedroom. “I promise I won’t. Otherwise, they’ll answer to my soon-to-be brother-in-law who’s a biker.”
Punc chuckled. “Or just a biker who won’t hesitate to kick their ass.”
“Good night, you two,” Cat said.
Savannah gave his hand a squeeze. “I’m going to get ready for bed since I have work in the morning.”
He nodded. “You do that, babe. I’ll be right behind you.”
While Savannah did her thing in the bathroom, his phone vibrated against his hip with a text.
I know you’re busy, but we’d love to see you sometime soon. Maybe dinner? -xoxo Mom
His lips tipped up. He couldn’t wait to take Savannah to his parents’ house. She’d been there before, but always as his sister’s best friend.
He pulled up his mom’s contact and called her.
“Hello, Ted. I didn’t expect you to call me so soon after that text.”
He exhaled on a smile. “Yeah, but I’ve got news. I should have called earlier today.”
“This sounds exciting!”
“I’ve been seeing someone, and it’s serious.”
“Really, well, I hope we can meet her soon.”
Punc paused. “That’s the thing. You’ve already met her, Mom.”
She gasped. “Is it Savannah?”
“How… did you know that?” he asked.
He could hear the smile in her voice. “Honey, even if I hadn’t noticed how she looked at you, I heard her and Alanis talking about you years ago. She had quite the crush on you.”
He chuckled. “I get the feeling you shouldn’t tell me this.”
“You’re together now, and the romantic in me loves it when the girl gets the guy she’s always wanted.”
“Mom, this is getting awkward, and nobody is making Savannah feel awkward.”
“I’m sorry, son. I’m thrilled for you both. Any chance you’ll bring her by for dinner?”
He wrapped his hand around the back of his neck and recalled his schedule. “Yeah, I’m working late the rest of the week, maybe Sunday?”
“That’s perfect, honey. Do you mind if I invite your sister?”
“Not at all, Mom.”
“Great. Tell Savannah, I can’t wait to see her.”
“I will, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Not one foot inside the bedroom, and Punc stopped dead at the sight of Savannah coming out of the master bath.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
Her pajamas put the ‘imp’ in skimpy, but hell if he didn’t like it that way.
He cleared his throat. “Woman, everything would be a-okay if you were in bed. But you standing there in a pair of slinky sleep shorts and a tank that makes me want to palm your breasts all fuckin’ night long isn’t helping here. One look and I want to fuck you.”
Her eyes slid to the side and back to him. “Feel like I’ve said this before, but… I don’t have a problem with that.”
On a low growl, he rushed to her and wrapped her up in his arms. “Are you lookin’ for a spanking, naughty girl?”
She laughed, deep and throaty. “How am I naughty?”
He slid a hand under her tank to her tit, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You’re always tempting me, babe. Maybe that isn’t exactly naughty, but damn do you make me crazy.”
She chuckled and pushed up on her toes to graze her lips against his. “I aim to please.”
He kissed her, then recalled she had to go to work in the morning, and he slipped his hand out of her tank. “Sorry, babe, I don’t mean to tease you, but we’ve yet to be quick when it comes to sex.”
“We could always give it a shot.”
He grinned. “Maybe after I shower. Before I forget, we’re having dinner at my parents’ house this weekend.”
“Oh. Is there an occasion?”
He shrugged a shoulder. “I haven’t been by in a while, and since I talked to Mom while you were getting ready, I mentioned that I’m serious about a woman. She wants to meet her, and I let it slip that she already has.”
Her eyes widened. “You did?”
He nodded. “Yeah, she guessed it was you, and sweetheart, she’s thrilled.”
She exhaled hard. “Good.”
He stared into her brown eyes. “You’re not nervous about it?”
“No, not right now. I will be the day of, but you’re just gonna have to get used to that about me.”
His head tilted as he dragged a finger along the line of her jaw. “I won’t have to get used to it, Smythe. I love everything about you…whether you’re nervous or sassy, I love it all.”
She leaned toward him. “Oh my God, you can’t be sweet to me if you want to take a shower.”
He dragged his lips along her cheek to her ear where he whispered, “You could shower with me. Your sister won’t hear us over the shower spray.”
Her head tipped back, and she laughed. “You’re so right, Punc.”