“Nah.I enjoy his company – and he’s been great with me.You’re the one who’s good to him.You brought him lunch.”
“I can only say the same thing you did.He’s been great to me, and I love hanging out with him.We’d better get in there.”
Her hands came up to his shoulders when he lowered his head and murmured, “I’m glad you came.”
She closed her eyes and kissed him – sweet and brief – hoping that he’d feel in that kiss how glad she was to be here.
~ ~ ~
Jake took his time eating his dessert, savoring every spoonful.He chased the last bit of sauce with his spoon, unwilling to let the sweetness go.He and Harvey shared a love of all things toffee flavored.Jake even shared his precious treacle toffee with the old guy whenever he managed to get his hands on any.One of his old teammates was with an English girl whose parents sent care packages.
Harvey had told him about the sticky toffee dessert that Taryn sent for him from the restaurant, but this was the first time he’d tried it.The restaurant at the Lodge wasn’t his kind of place.Not that he didn’t like it, just that he could buy groceries for a week for the price of dinner there.But as he ate the dessert, he was starting to think that he’d go without groceries for a couple of days if he got to eat this stuff.
He paused with his spoon halfway to his mouth when he realized Savannah was watching him.
He gave her a rueful smile, and she laughed.
“There’s no need to look so embarrassed.I’m not judging – just happy that you obviously like it so much.”She smiled at Harvey.“I know you love it.”
“I do, and I told you Jakey loves toffee just as much as I do.Thanks again for bringing it over.I was going to say tell Taryn I said thanks, but I feel like I’d better get my old ass over there to see her and say it myself.She’s been good sending food over for me, but I need to get in there and pay for my dinner like a real customer.”
“She wouldn’t send it if she didn’t want to,” Savannah assured him.
Jake loved the way Harvey chuckled.“I know that.That’s what I like about her.She speaks her mind, that one, and doesn’t worry whose nose gets put out of joint.She’s the kind I can respect – lives by a philosophy I believe in.”
Jake glanced at Savannah, and they exchanged a smile, knowing what Harvey was about to say.
“Do no harm but take no shit.I reckon the world would be a better place if everyone was taught that in school.It’d solve a lot of what’s wrong in the world.”
“It would,” Savannah agreed.
Watching the thoughtful look on her face, Jake wondered what kind of shit she’d had to take in life.He’d been intending to ask Harvey what he knew about this Rick Harlow that Savannah had told him about, but he hadn’t done it yet – it felt a bit like going behind her back, and that was the last thing he’d want to do.
Harvey set his spoon down.“Thanks for that, Savvie.I’m glad you came.”
She laughed.“You’re just glad the sticky toffee dessert came.”
“You know better than that.”He pushed up from his chair.“And I know better than to hog the little bit of time you two have.”He turned to Jake.“We good for the day?”
“Yeah, but you don’t have to …” Jake began.
“Don’t go because of me, Harvey.I have to leave soon anyway,” said Savannah.“I have to go home and then turn around and come back for my shift tonight.”
Harvey grinned at them as he headed for the door.“After that lunch, I need a nap.Either of you have any complaints about that?”
They shook their heads, and he chuckled.“I’ll see you tomorrow, Jakey.And don’t be a stranger, Savvie.”
Jake’s breath caught in his chest when he added, “You should probably talk about next week – you’re not going to be able to do it all by yourself, Jakey.”With that, he turned and ambled out to his car.
They sat in silence until he pulled up next to the window and waved before pulling away.
Savannah let out a short laugh.“Isn’t he awesome?”
“He’s the best.And don’t feel like he was trying to rope you into helping me if you don’t want …”
He knew he’d said the wrong thing when her smile vanished.
“Damn.I mean, I’d love your help – I could use it.It was only that I didn’t want you to feel like Harvey – or I – had cornered you into it.”
