Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
NOAH BARRETT
I put my arm on Savannah’s back as we walk into my childhood home. It’s Sunday afternoon, and we’re joining my brothers for supper again.
I feel a closeness to Savannah I’ve never felt, even when we dated back in high school. She’s opening up to me. Telling me things she’s never shared. This is huge for us. It gives me courage and hope that things can change between us. That she will let our relationship deepen.
“Uncle Noah!” Skyler runs up to me and hugs my legs. “I miss you.”
“I saw you at church.” I chuckle, because little kids are hilarious.
“I miss you living here. Can’t you move back?” She stares up at me with her wide eyes.
“Sorry. I have my own house now.”
Savannah holds her hand out to Skyler. “Do you want to come over to Noah’s house and play with me?”
Skyler squeals. “Yes! Can I go right now?”
Savannah laughs. “Not right now. How about next weekend?”
I bite the inside of my cheek because I still haven’t gotten up the courage to tell Savannah I booked a yacht for us next weekend. An overnight yacht. But I’m really looking forward to rubbing it into Donald’s face.
“Yes!” Skyler yells. She runs off, I assume to tell Kiki or Tobias.
“About next weekend,” I say, but Levi enters the living room, and I stop. He’s carrying a large piece of cardboard.
“Hey,” he says, flipping the cardboard around so we can see it’s a castle cutout. “Did you see what Kiki made?”
“No, what is it?” I ask.
Levi unfolds it to show me and Savannah how it becomes a play castle. “This is the prototype for Kiki’s first product. She’s going to manufacture these and sell them in stores. Tobias says he’s already got stores lined up to stock them.”
“What?” Savannah shrieks. “That’s adorable! Kids will love this.”
Levi punches out a window flap. “See how this comes out, so kids can look through?”
“I love it,” Savannah says.
Kiki walks into the room. “What are you doing with my prototype?”
“Showing these guys.” Levi folds it back up. “And see how easy it is to store?”
“That’s so awesome,” I say. “You’re brilliant.”
Kiki’s cheeks turn pink. “It’s nothing.”
“No, Noah’s right,” Savannah chimes in. “You’re going to sell a ton of these.”
Kiki pats her legs. “Well, Tobias did say 300 Targets have agreed to stock it.”
“Wow. I’m so happy for you.” Savannah pulls Kiki into a quick hug.
“How’s your studio coming along?” Kiki asks Savannah. “I bet you guys are almost done with the remodel, right?”
“Yes. It’s done now.” Savannah smooths down her dress, but she doesn’t have a good filter. Her emotions show all over her face.
“You’re not happy about that? What, did Noah screw up the project?” Kiki laughs, but Savannah doesn’t join in.
“No. It’s not that.” She frowns. “I found out a friend of mine is opening up a portrait studio downtown. She’ll have a much better space, and a larger budget for advertising.”
Kiki gasps. “What? That’s horrible. Did she know you were opening one?”
Savannah nods, a sad smile on her face. “Yeah.”
Levi groans. “It’s not Elizabeth, is it?”
“Yes, how did you know?” Savannah asks.
Levi rolls his eyes. “She’s the worst. You do know she was the one who started that rumor about your family being destitute back in high school, right?”
Savannah takes a step back, as if Levi slapped her. “She did?”
Levi’s expression turns sympathetic. “Yeah. I think it’s time for some new friends. She’s no good for you.” He turns and leaves the room.
Kiki folds her arms. “Well that just sucks. I can’t believe she’d do that.”
Savannah doesn’t say anything, but I see how uncomfortable she is, and I slide my arm around her, pulling her to my side.
“But you know what?” Kiki says. “You can do better than her. I can help with advertising. And I bet Ellie and Josephine would put fliers out at the gallery.”
I splay my hand over Savannah’s hip. “That’s a good idea.”
“Thanks, Kiki,” Savannah says, emotion clear in her voice.
Tobias sticks his head into the room. “The steaks are ready.”
My mouth waters. Tobias grills some really good steaks. “We’ll come to the table.”
Everyone files into the dining room and sits down around the table, in the same spots we sat last week. I smile to myself. We already have claimed our “usual” places. I know it’s a small thing, but I love that my family has brought Savannah in as part of the clan so easily.
Kiki glances around. “Where’s Skyler?”
Tobias stands. “She was outside with me. I thought she came in, but she must still be playing out there. I’ll go get her.”
He leaves and we start piling food on our plates. Besides the steak, my brother grilled corn on the cob and potatoes. I watch as my brothers all dig in. “You can eat,” I tell Savannah. “You don’t want it to get cold.”
Tobias doesn’t come back with Skyler, and my Spidey senses tingle. I stand, placing my napkin on the table. “I’m going to go check on Tobias.”
Savannah nods, and Kiki stands as well. “Me too.”
I walk to the back door with Kiki. I don’t see Tobias through the glass, so I open the door and walk out onto the patio. Tobias comes up the hill from the shoreline, worry etched on his forehead.
“Where’s Skyler?” Kiki asks.
Tobias swallows, his Adams apple bobbing. “I can’t find her.”