She’d seen more of Elle since she’d moved in with Tiffany.Tiffany was Elle’s friend from the city, and she’d moved here to the lake to work in the salon that Elle’s mom owned.Savannah smiled when she passed the corner that led to Abbie’s old house.She could just imagine the younger versions of herself, Abbie, and Elle walking down the street as they had all those years ago.
These days, Elle was with a wonderful guy named Donovan, and they had a small daughter named Skye.Donovan might not be Skye’s biological father, but there was no mistaking that he was her dad.The three of them made such a cute little family.Savannah loved that for Elle.
And Abbie was with a guy named Ivan.He looked like a bit of a tough guy, but he was a sweetheart.Last time she’d seen Abbie, it had sounded like they were making wedding plans.
Savannah bit down on her bottom lip as she approached Jake’s house.Just because her old friends were settled down and moving into the next chapter of their lives didn’t mean she was going to do the same.
She glanced up at the house as she parked next to the curb.It didn’t mean she should go getting carried away, wishing for that kind of future for herself.Although… she’d love to think it might be possible.
She was climbing out of the car when Jake called, “Hey, Savannah.”
“Oh, hi!Sorry, am I late?Were you waiting for me?”
He shook his head with a smile.“You’re not late.And yeah, I was waiting for you – but only because…” He gave a little shrug.“I might as well say it – because I was excited for you to get here.”
That made her smile.“I was excited too,” she confessed.“That’s why I was surprised when I thought I was late.I was more worried I’d be too early.”
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s no such thing as too early if it means I get to see you.Do you want to come in?”
She looked from him to the car and back again.“Do you need to get ready?”
“No, I’m ready to go if you want to – but I thought we could hang out for a while before we head over there.”
“Sure.”She followed him up the path and into the house.She’d been here before, a couple of times.Josh lived here too.As Jake led her into the living room, she hoped he hadn’t brought her to see Josh.She loved the guy, but since he worked from home, he might be around.She was relieved to see the living room was empty.
“Can I get you a drink or something?”Jake asked.
“Are you having one?”
“We can if you like.”
“Do you still want to have lunch over at the café in the plaza?”
“I do.I’m looking forward to that.”
“Then let’s wait, shall we?”
He took a step toward her, and her heart started to pound.“We could just get going,” he said, looking a little bashful.
“We can – but…” She raised her eyebrows.“Would you rather stay here?Did you…” It was weird.It felt like he’d invited her in for a reason, but she didn’t know what that reason might be.
A small smile played on his lips as he took another step toward her.He was close enough now that she had to tilt her head back to look up into his eyes.
“What are you up to?”she asked with a smile.
He reached out to touch her elbow before letting his hand fall again.“I think the truth is, what I’m doing here is… screwing this up.But…” He straightened his shoulders, his big brown eyes serious as he continued, “The way everything went the other night – you know, with having to go out and rescue Cara and then seeing her home and…”
Savannah’s heart pounded even harder.She thought she knew what he meant.By the time he’d taken her home at the end of their evening, it had felt more like they were friends – maybe even co-workers – hanging out together.When he’d walked her to her front door and said goodnight, without even for a second looking like he was going to lean in for a kiss, she’d started to wonder if he only saw her as a friend after all.
“Our evening didn’t end the way I hoped it would,” he said softly.“So, I guess what I’m saying is… how would you feel about starting our afternoon with a hello kiss – just in case something comes up that means we don’t get a goodbye one?”
A ball of tingly excitement started to spin in her chest.Of course she’d been hoping for a kiss before this date was over, but it wouldn’t have occurred to her to start with one.She nodded slowly, knowing she was wearing a huge smile.
He took one last step and closed the distance between them.Resting a hand on her shoulder, he gave her a rueful smile.“I know it’s not exactly a smooth move, is it?Did I screw it up?”
She laughed.“Not at all.It might not be smooth, but it works.”
His other hand came up to touch the side of her neck.Goosebumps raced over her skin as he closed the final distance between them.Before she knew it, he had one arm around her waist, and both of her arms had found their way around his neck.
