She was relieved when his expression warmed, and added, “It tastes like something I shouldn’t like, but… I kind of do.”
He took a sip of his own drink.“I’d say that’s the best description of Jägermeister I’ve ever heard.”
She hoped that would slice through the tension that seemed to have descended like a cloud around them, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.She took another sip of her drink, wrestling with herself over whether she should just come out and tell him about Rick and accept that it would spoil the evening.
Just as she figured out that was exactly what she should do — because otherwise the evening was spoiled anyway — Jake turned sideways in his spot on the sofa beside her and said, in a low, pained voice, “Savannah…”
Her heart squeezed in her chest.His tone made clear that whatever he had to say, she wasn’t going to like it.
“Yes?”she asked cautiously.
He blew out a sigh and rested his hand on her thigh.“I feel like things have changed.I don’t know what it is, but… do you want me to walk you home?”
Her heart leaped into her mouth.That was the last thing she wanted.But… She stared at him in confusion.When he said that things had changed… did he mean hisfeelingshad changed?Did he want her to go home?
His eyebrows drew together.“It’s okay — you can tell me if that’s how you feel.”
“HowIfeel?”she asked, her voice coming out as not much more than a squeak.
“Yeah.”He nodded.“I thought things were going great while we had dinner, but I don’t know… You seemed different on the way home.It was like you wished I wasn’t even there.And hey, if I’m overreacting, you can tell me that, too.I just…”
“Oh, Jake.”She reached out and cupped his cheek in her hand.She understood what was going on now.“Please don’t think like that.It’s all my fault.It’s not that I wished you weren’t there.You have no idea how glad I am you were there.And not just because… I don’t just mean I was grateful you were with me.I mean that it’syou…”
She pressed her fingers to her temples and dropped her head between her hands.
“Shoot.I’m not explaining this well, am I?”
“No,” he told her straight, but at least he put his arm around her shoulders while he did.“I don’t understand, Savvie.But whatever you need to tell me, you can just say it.”
She sat up straight and looked him in the eye.
“I’m really sorry, Jake.I said I’d tell you, and I haven’t.”
“Tell me what?”he asked, looking worried.
“I said I’d tell you if Rick ever came around again and… he’s back.”
She didn’t think she’d ever seen him angry before — and it was a formidable sight.She couldn’t blame him.She’d kind of been lying to him all week, even if it was only by omission.
He got to his feet and strode over to the window.He stood there with his back to her, and she started to shake.Sheshouldhave told him sooner.She knew it.She couldn’t blame him for being mad at her.
She set her glass down and swiped away the tears that threatened to fall.“I’m sorry, Jake.I’m really sorry.You deserve better than that.”
She took a step toward the door, intending to grab her coat from the hall and leave.But before she took another step, he was right there beside her.His expression was pained, but he didn’t look angry.
He held his arms out to the sides.“Please don’t go.I’m sorry I got so mad.I walked away because I didn’t want you to see it — didn’t want you to feel it.But… damn, Savannah, I’m not mad atyou.I’m mad athim.I hate that fucking predator would come around trying to scare you.And if I get my hands on him…”
Savannah just stared at him.He was such an easygoing guy normally, but right now he looked… not scary — not to her, at least.But she had a feeling Rick would be terrified, and rightly so, if he ran into him.
He reached out and touched her arm.“Are you okay?”
She nodded.“I am.I just feel so bad that I didn’t tell you.”
He shook his head slightly.“I wish you had — but that’s behind us now.What matters is how we deal with it going forward.Tell me all about it.What happened?What he said.”
That muscle ticked in his jaw when he added, “What’s he done?”
~ ~ ~
