"I like pancakes.I know you like them.So, I figured I'd make a pile, and we can both enjoy them without wondering who's going to get the last one."
Savannah looked down at the plate in front of her.Hash browns, scrambled eggs, sausages, and bacon were all piled high."I'm going to enjoy all of this," she said."There's no way I'll be fighting you for the last pancake, no matter how much I might want to."
"Exactly," said Tiff."We'll both get as many as we want, and neither of us will have to feel bad.But why did you ask how long we've lived together?"
"Because you've never made a breakfast like this.Not that I'm complaining, although maybe I am a little bit, now that I know what I've been missing out on."
Tiffany grinned."I would have but we've never both been home and awake at the same time when one of us didn't have to go rushing off somewhere else.I know you have to go to work in a while, but there's no hurry.And last night was such a great night."She shrugged."I thought we should celebrate."
"It was a good time, wasn't it?"Savannah asked with a smile.
"It was more than just a good time, girl.Speaking personally, I had a blast.I never thought I liked country music till I came here, but I can see the appeal now.And that Carson Tate..."She waggled her eyebrows."I'd let him show me the bed of his truck anytime."
Savannah laughed."Wasn't he amazing?I knew that he came here sometimes.Quite a few of the artists do.They come to see Clay."
"Yeah, but they don't usually get up and sing like that, do they?And most of them are the older ones, like Clay.Don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against old people."
Savannah burst out laughing."He's not exactly old."
"I know.I didn't mean that.If Clay MacAdam wanted to show me the bed of his truck, I wouldn't say no to him either."
Savannah almost choked on her hash brown, and Tiffany simply shrugged."What can I tell you?He's hot."
"Yeah, but he's not Brayden, is he?"
Tiffany's shoulders sagged."Do you think he's avoiding me?"
That hadn't occurred to Savannah."I don't think so.He wouldn't do that, would he?"
Tiff pursed her lips."Maybe.I know I can come on a little strong.Usually, Donovan talks him into coming out with him and Elle, but when I asked about him last night, Donovan just said he couldn't come."She blew out a big sigh."I should probably just face it, shouldn't I?He's not interested.I mean, what's a guy like him going to see in a girl like me?"
Savannah shook her head."From what I know of him, Brayden's a smart guy.And anyone with any sense can see that you're a real catch."
"You're the sweetest, Savvie.And I'm not saying you're wrong."She sat up straighter and preened a little."I am a good catch."Her smile faded."Just maybe not good enough for Brayden."
Savannah reached across and gave her arm a gentle slap."There's no 'not good enough' about it," she said sternly."And I don't want to hear you talking like that, okay?"
Tiffany grinned."Okay.I won't.If he's not interested, it's his loss, yeah?"
"Exactly," said Savannah."But don't give up on him yet.Maybe you just need to try a different approach."
"Maybe."Tiff leaned forward eagerly."What kind of approach do you think might work?"
"I have no idea."
Tiffany laughed."See?There you go, getting my hopes up.But since they are up, I'm going to give it some thought.I'll do some scheming today."She reached for a pancake."I wish you didn't have to work.We could hang out."
"I wish I didn't have to work too."As she said it, Savannah realized that for the first time in her life, she'd rather be at home spending time with people she cared about than at work.
Tiffany took her hand and gave it a squeeze."Don't look like that.I know damn well that if you had the day off, you'd rather spend it with Jake than me anyway.You don't need to feel guilty about it.It's normal."
Savannah squeezed back."Of course I want to see him.But I wasn't feeling guilty.I was feeling grateful.Grateful that I have you in my life, not just Jake.I've told you before and I'll say it again—I've never had such a good friend as you, Tiffany Blue, and I love you to pieces."
"Aw, love you too, babe.Now quit talking and help me work on these pancakes, would ya?"
~ ~ ~
It was nine o’clock by the time Jake and Josh said goodnight to everyone.Jake’s dad and Jo were ready to leave, too.
