Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
SAVANNAH HOLLINGSWORTH
I walk with Noah to the front door, concerned about how he’s been acting ever since the incident with Skyler. At dinner he was jumpy and distracted and distanced himself from me. I can’t pinpoint what the problem is, but I know it’s connected to Courtney and Skyler.
I put my hand on his arm. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
He nods and rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
He doesn’t look fine. He looks like he’s been awake for eighty hours straight. I don’t know what to do to comfort him, so I do the only thing I know. I pull him into a hug. “You’ll protect Sky. I know you will.”
He wraps his arms around me, and I finally understand why they call it a bear hug. I’m enveloped in warmth and strength. He’s all power and muscles, and in his arms I feel safe. He’s squeezes me tight. “Thank you for the faith, even though it may be displaced.”
“It will be okay.” Even though I say the words, I’m not sure I believe them. The talk at the dinner table was careful and discreet, because no one wanted to scare Skyler. But I learned enough that it scared me. Courtney is not mentally stable, and I can understand why the Barretts are concerned.
“I hope so,” Noah says, and intense emotion colors his voice.
Tobias comes into the room and Noah steps back. Tobias shoves his hands in his pockets, lowering his voice. “I don’t know if you guys have heard the rumor going around town…”
Noah blanches. “Rumor?”
Tobias glances behind him before leaning toward us. “About me and Kiki getting married.”
Noah ducks his head. “I’m so sorry, man.”
Heat rushes to my face, and I blurt out, “It’s all my fault.” I don’t want Noah to take the blame. He only said it to Courtney. I’m the one that blabbed it to one of the gossip queens.
“No, it was me,” Noah says stepping forward. “I said it first. Savannah had no idea it was a lie.”
Tobias’s mouth falls open, and he stares at both of us in shock. I feel ten times worse. He must be so embarrassed. Has Kiki heard the rumor, too? Did I totally mess everything up for them?
“I can fix it,” I rush on to say. “I’ll find a way to let everyone know.”
Tobias shakes his head. “Know what?”
“That it was all a mistake,” I say.
“A misunderstanding,” Noah adds.
Tobias stares at us, and I wonder if he’s getting mad.
“I’m sorry,” I insert quickly as I wring my hands. Is he going to yell at us?
“I don’t know what you guys are talking about,” Tobias says. “Alice saw me ring shopping. That’s what started it.”
I gape at him, the reality of his words crashing into me. “Really? You are going to propose?”
He holds up a hand, glancing backwards. “Let’s keep it down,” he whispers. “I’m trying hard to make it a surprise.”
Relief and elation shoot through me. The rumors are true. Tobias and Kiki are getting married. “I’m so happy for you,” I whisper.
Noah pounds him on the back. “Way to go, bro. You’ve found a good woman. I know you’ll be happy together.”
Tobias shifts nervously. “I have the ring. I was going to wait for the exact right time to propose, but with Courtney, and everything going on there, I think I should do it as soon as possible. The problem is, I have no idea what to do. I want to make it special, you know? Just blurting it out would be … lame.”
Noah puts his arms behind his back and slowly nods. “Right. You should do something special.”
Tobias cringes. “Have any ideas?”
“I do, actually.” Noah pulls out his phone and fiddles with it. Then he shows it to us. “What about renting this?”
On his phone is a photo of an elegant yacht, lit up at night, the moonlight reflecting on the water. “Ooh, that’s nice,” I say. “And so romantic.”
Tobias grins. “That’s perfect. But I want to do this soon. Isn’t a yacht like that booked out far in advance?”
Noah slips his phone in his pocket, a smile forming on his face. “It’s already booked. How does this Friday night sound?”
I gape at Noah. He said he booked a boat for us for next weekend. Is that what he booked? A huge luxury yacht?
Tobias lets out a breath. “Really? That would be amazing. How many people does it hold? I’d love for all of you to be there when I propose.”
“It holds fifty people,” Noah says, seeming quite pleased. “And I can make all the arrangements. Just get me a guest list.”
Tobias squeezes Noah’s shoulder. “Thanks, man. I owe you big time.” He turns to me. “Savannah, I’d love for you to be there, too. Can you come?”
Emotion zings through me, and my throat grows tight. I grin at him, too happy to hide it. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“Thanks.” Tobias once again looks behind him before he steps closer to me. “Want to see the ring?”
I put my hand on my chest, so touched that he would want to show me. “Of course. I’d love to see it.”
He pulls it out of his pocket. Noah shakes his head, grinning. “You’re carrying it around?”
Tobias chuckles. “I’ve had this thing in my pocket for a week. I can’t wait to see her face when she sees it.” He opens the ring box and holds it out.
It’s a gorgeous princess cut diamond that sparkles like crazy as the light hits it. Small diamonds cover the delicate band, giving it an elegant look. I gasp. “It’s fantastic, Tobias. She’s going to love it.”
He smiles so wide I can see his dimple, and I know why Kiki fell for him. “Thanks,” he says as he snaps the box closed and stuffs it back into his pocket.
Noah glances at the door. “I have to get to work, or I’ll be late for my shift.”
Tobias nods. “Sure. Hey, thanks man. You’re a lifesaver.”
“Of course.”
Tobias turns to me. “Savannah, do you want to stay and play some games with the family?”
I’m extremely touched, and once again, my emotions surge inside of me. “That would be lovely. Thank you, Tobias.”
Noah places a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll see you, Savannah.”
Tobias backs away. “Sorry, I should give you some privacy. You need to give her a proper goodbye.” He winks at Noah, then leaves the living room.
Noah blushes. “My brothers love to embarrass me.”
I’m in too good of a mood to be bothered by Tobias’s teasing. We’re playing the part of a couple in love, and I’m feeling playful right now. I raise up on my toes and kiss Noah’s cheek. “Have a good night at work, sweetie.”
His blush deepens, and he opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. He shuts his mouth and nods at me before turning around and leaving.
His reaction makes me giggle. I find it hilarious that I can make him so embarrassed with just a kiss on the cheek. What would he do if I kissed him on the lips?
A memory comes crashing back to me. I was seventeen and had never kissed a boy before. Noah and I were outside on the porch swing, watching the ships sail past his house. He turned to me, probably to say something, but he stopped and stared at my lips. I just went for it. He was so surprised, he about fell off the swing. I laughed so hard I thought he was going to take me down to the shore and toss me into the ocean.
But after my giggles subsided, we decided to re-do my first kiss. And boy, what a re-do it was. Noah’s tender kiss is forever seared into my brain.
I know I can’t be with him forever, but for right now, we’re pretending to be a couple. I want to push aside any thoughts of the future and just live in the moment, because I don’t know if I’ll ever have such happiness again.