She still wasn’t totally comfortable with letting him take her to work and go back to pick her up later.She’d argued that since it was only an afternoon shift, she should be fine.Butshould be finewasn’t enough for him.He needed to know that she was all right, that this Rick character wasn’t harassing her.And so he’d managed to persuade her that he could take her over there and work in the garage for a few hours till it was time to come pick her up again.
He didn’t have any jobs waiting, but it would give him the chance to get the place tidied up and organize his tools and… he didn’t know what else, but it didn’t matter.He’d be there close at hand if she needed him.That was what was important.
“Do you want coffee?”Tiffany asked.“I take it Savannah’s in the shower.She’s working at lunchtime, right?”
Jake nodded, grateful that she wasn’t teasing him about last night – Savannah had texted her to say that she wouldn’t be home.In the same way that he’d never kiss and tell, it would be up to Savannah what she wanted to share with her friend.He didn’t want to share with Tiffany that there was nothing to tell.As far as he was concerned, whatever he and Savannah chose to do in the bedroom was nobody’s business but their own.
“I’ll take a quick coffee, thanks.And yeah, she’s only working the lunch shift today, though.”
Tiffany came and set a mug on the coffee table in front of him.“Not that I’m giving you a hard time or anything, but how come you’re still here?If she has to go to work.”She smiled.“You just can’t stand to say goodbye to her at all, can you?That’s so sweet.”
He chuckled.“Yeah, I won’t deny it.But I’m here because I’m going to give her a ride over there.”
It hadn’t occurred to him until now that he didn’t know if Savannah had told Tiffany about Rick.He waited, hoping that she already knew and would approve of him wanting to chauffeur Savannah around.
Instead, she gave him a puzzled look.“Is there something wrong with her car?”
“No,” he backpedaled quickly.“And if there were, we’d have it fixed between us by now.”
“Yeah, right.So why are you giving her a ride over there again?”
They both turned when the door from the bathroom opened.Jake shifted on the sofa at the sight of Savannah in a towel – in nothing but a towel.
“Hey, Tiff,” she called.“I didn’t know if you were here or asleep.I hope you don’t mind…”
Tiffany laughed.“That Jake’s here?Not in the least.I’ve told you before, I think he’s a keeper.”She glanced from Savannah to Jake and back again.“I’ll ask you, since I don’t think he wants to tell me.Is he giving you a ride to work because of whatever’s had you so jumpy all week?”
Savannah looked from her to Jake and back again.“Yeah,” she said eventually.“Sorry, guys.I didn’t mean to hide things from either of you.I just didn’t want to worry you.And I… I…”
“It’s okay, babe,” said Tiffany.“I think we both know what you’re like — you don’t want to be a burden.But I wish you’d get it through your head that you couldn’t be.You know I care about you.You’re so good to me.I want to be able to help you when I can, too.”
She smiled at Jake and added, “And I can already tell this guy’s the same.But you need to finish getting ready for work or you’ll be late.Can I bug Jake about what’s going on with you, or would you rather tell me yourself later?”
Jake tensed, wondering if it might be too much for Savannah.He was so careful to never steamroll her into anything.He didn’t know how she’d react when Tiffany did exactly that.
After a few moments, she let out a short laugh and said, “Sure, why not?It looks like we’re all in it together.”
“That’s exactly what we are,” said Tiffany.“And you need to get used to it.You don’t have to face life all by yourself anymore.You have me.And now you have Marine man, too.”She gave Jake a mock stern look.“He might still be on probation for a while, but I have a good feeling that he’ll pass muster.”
~ ~ ~
Lunch was fairly quiet in the restaurant.It sometimes worked out that way on Saturdays, especially when it was nice outside, and today was a beautiful day.Savannah wished that it was busier so that the time would go faster.At least Taryn wasn't around.She felt bad even thinking that.She liked Taryn, and the better she got to know her, the more she felt at ease with her.She was fun to chat with, and she always made Savannah laugh.
Rachel was in charge, as she usually was whenever Taryn wasn't around.That made Savannah wonder whether the assistant manager position would still report to Rachel or if she'd be her equal.She couldn't see it being the other way around, and she couldn't see herself telling Rachel what to do—or Rachel liking it if she did.
The more she thought about it, the less she liked the idea of being responsible for the team.Of course, she was flattered that Taryn thought she was capable of it.But just because she was capable didn't mean that she wanted to.Then again, she didn't know if she was talking herself out of it because she knew that taking the position would mean she got to spend less time with Jake.
She looked around, feeling guilty, as if someone might be able to hear what she was thinking.She didn't want less time with him; she wanted more time, and she was hoping that tonight would set the tone for where things would go for them from here.
She couldn't wait to sleep with him again, and tingles of excitement raced through her veins every time she thought aboutsleepingwith him for the first time.She smiled and hurried over when she saw Sadie and Dom come in.She hadn't seen them for a while, and she thought the world of them.Sadie had been so good to her ever since she was small, and Savannah was so happy for her that she'd finally met such a good guy.
Everyone in town seemed to think very highly of Dom and of his twin brother, Damon—Jake's dad.It must run in the family.
"Hey, Savannah, how are you doing?"Sadie reached out, but then her arms fell to her sides."I probably shouldn't hug you while you're working, should I?"
Savannah leaned in and gave her a quick hug."Maybe not, but I'm not going to let that stop me," she said."I haven't seen you for a while.How are you both?"
She loved the smile they exchanged.It was easy to see how much they loved each other.
