“And you’re still good with Giuseppe’s?”
“I am.”
She closed the door behind her, and they both looked up at the window above it when Tiff banged on it and waved madly at them.Jake waved back, and Savannah rolled her eyes at her friend.
“Sorry about her.”
Jake cocked an eyebrow.“Why?I thought the two of you were close.I know some people find her a bit much, but …”
“Oh no, we are close.I wasn’t apologizing for her – well, I was, but not in general.I just meant …” She blew out a sigh.“I guess she’s embarrassing me, so I hope she’s not embarrassing you.”
“No, it’s all good.She’s looking out for you.”He walked her to the passenger door of his truck and opened it for her.Once he was in the driver’s seat, he turned to her with a smile.“You should probably know that Josh is looking out for you, too.”
She covered her face with her hand.“Oh no.What did he say?”
“Don’t look like that.I said it to reassure you.”
“Then I appreciate it, but there’s no need for any of it.”She was hardly going to tell him that he wouldn’t get the chance to do anything to hurt her.She smiled and told him honestly, “You’re not that kind of guy.I already know that.”
His smile felt like a reward for her words as he said, “Thanks.”
When he pulled up in the parking lot outside Giuseppe’s, he cut the engine but made no move to get out.
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s great.Just before we go in there, I want to say thanks.You know I’ve wanted to do this for a long time – right from the beginning.And I know you had other stuff going on and the timing wasn’t right, but now we’re here.I’m glad you’re finally ready to give us a chance.”
She swallowed hard.She had to tell him.It wasn’t fair to let him think she was ready to see where things might go between them when she wasn’t.Well, she was – she’d love to – but until she knew that she was in the clear, that her mom’s old mess wasn’t going to come back to haunt her again, she just wasn’t prepared to get involved with Jake.He’d help her, she knew that; he’d probably make it all a lot easier.But she wouldn’t do that to him.She knew all too well what it was like to carry someone else’s burden – the toll it took, and the doors it closed for you in life.
He met her gaze and held it as he asked, “You are, aren’t you?”
She inhaled to steady herself before she spoke, wishing this conversation had happened later – that they’d been able to enjoy the evening first.But she wouldn’t lie to him.
They both jumped when the sound of Jake’s phone ringing cut through the moment.He gave her a pained look as he checked it.“I’m sorry, it’s only because of the business.I …”
“There’s no need.Take the call, it’s okay.I understand.”
He closed his eyes briefly before he answered.
“This is Jake … That’s right … Where is she?”He glanced over at Savannah.“Okay.Yeah.Tell her I’ll be there within half an hour.”
He blew out a sigh as he ended the call.
“It’s okay,” Savannah reassured him.“That’s a job, right?You should be happy – business is picking up.”
He nodded, looking anything but happy.“The guy said his daughter broke down on her way up the hill.She’s only sixteen.He’s on his way back from Sacramento and can’t get to her himself.”
“We’d better get moving, then!”
His eyes widened.“You want to come?”
“Oh!I … sorry.”She reached for the door handle.“I didn’t think.You should get going.I can get home easy enough from here.”
“Savannah, wait!I’m not saying I don’t want you to come.I just didn’t expect you’d want to.I ruined our date.I’d love it if you wanted to come with me.I mean, this girl will probably feel more comfortable if you’re there, too.”
She met his gaze, and he nodded.“Please?”
“Okay.”
