"I'm so sorry that I come with so many problems.You don't need all this."
He held his arms out to her, and when she leaned in, he hugged her close to his chest."I want to be with you, Savvie.And you know what?Everyone has problems.It's called real life.Seems to me that most people are dealing with one problem or another.What matters is how we face them.And I want to face them together."
He pressed his lips to hers."Lots of people have problems making time for each other around the demands of work.We can figure it out—if you want to."
She nodded rapidly."I do want to, Jake.Don't ever think that I don't.I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm going to.I already told you that tonight—at least up until I thought Rick was maybe out there following us—has been the best night of my life.But if I'm honest, and I want to be, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
He tightened his arms around her and hauled her onto his lap."I feel the same way, Savvie.You're the best thing that's happened to me.And the way I see it, we're facing a couple of bumps in the road right now, but they'll only make us stronger."He met her gaze and held it."It'll force us to figure out how to work together and how to compromise."
He pursed his lips."And even saying that, I know I don't want to compromise on coming to pick you up from work at night."His jaw clenched.He probably shouldn't tell her, but he had to."In fact, that's something I won't compromise on.If you don't want me to come pick you up, that's fine—because I'll just come hang out in the parking lot to make sure that you get to your own car, okay?"
He hoped to hell that he didn't sound like a domineering asshole, but it was too important to him, and he didn't want to lie to her.
She sagged against him."I love that you want to do that for me.And I won't lie—I have been scared ever since I saw him.I've been parking out in front of the restaurant instead of around the back.I can keep doing that."
"You can," he nodded."And I'll just wait for you out there.If you insist on driving yourself, I'll follow you home again."
She let out a breath."But Jake..."
"But Savannah."
"I could ask Taryn if I can work seven lunches, then I'd only have to do a couple of evenings to still get as many shifts."
"You could.But I don't think she'll want an assistant manager who can't be there in the evenings, will she?"
She shook her head.
"I just don't think you should let him run you out of your own life."He met her gaze and held it.
"But if I did that, we could hang out in the evenings more."
She had a point, and a very appealing one.He liked the idea of her being free in the evenings so that they could spend more time together.But if it were to happen, he wanted it to be her choice—not because her hand had been forced.
"There's a lot to think about," he said eventually.
She nodded, and her hand came up to cover her mouth as she yawned.
Jake checked his watch and was shocked to see how late it was.But then, they'd been talking for hours.He didn't have to go to work in the morning, and she didn't have to be at the restaurant until eleven.But they both needed sleep.
"It's late," he said."I should get you home."
He swallowed when she tightened her arms around him and said, "I don't want to go."
His heart pounded in his chest."I don't want you to go, Savvie, but I don't think..."
She shook her head rapidly."I don't either."She let out a nervous laugh."I'm not propositioning you.I'm just...I was thinking, if I do take the assistant manager job, I will be working more evenings, and I don't want that to mean we don't see as much of each other.And there'll come a point...I mean, I hope there will, when we're spending nights together anyway, even if we're not there yet."
He closed his eyes and smiled as he pressed his lips into her hair."I'm there whenever you want to be there, Savvie.I just haven't wanted to rush you."
"I think I'm there, too."
"So, are you saying you want to stay?Because I’d love you to.And I don't mean..."He let out a nervous laugh of his own."It's late.We're both tired.We could just...sleep.You know, practice that part before we get to the other part."
"See, I love that about you, Jake.Thank you.I want the other part too, more than I think you know, but maybe tonight isn't the right time."
He got to his feet, keeping hold of her as she slid from his lap as he stood."Probably not," he agreed."Not for that.But now that you've said it, I can't wait to get you into my bed."The thought of sleeping with her—sharing his bed with her, lying next to her, even without the sex, maybe especially without the sex—felt like taking their relationship to a whole new level.
Chapter Seventeen
