‘Well, in that case.’ I hit the indicator again and pretend I’m looking for the first available turn off.
Her laughter seeps through the air and straight into my soul, lighting me up from the inside out. This is what I’ve been craving, this connection. Someone to laugh with. Someone to love.
Her happiness is my happiness.
I’m totally fucked.
Savannah’s villa is impressive, to say the least. Nestled almost on the edge of a cliff, it’s perched directly above the wild Atlantic Ocean, crashing against the rocks below.
My headlights illuminate the driveway where Jake’s jeep is already parked. Low warm lighting radiates from behind glass panels on either side of the duck-egg coloured front door. The scent of salt and seaweed hangs in the air, tickling my nostrils, and I feel like I’m a million miles away from Dublin.
I stride up the steps with Savannah, my palm caressing the small of her back. From the second she said I could touch her, I haven’t stopped.
It’s impossible to tear my hands from her. I feel bereft anytime they leave her body.
She reaches for the brass door handle, stepping just slightly out of my reach and whispers, ‘Hands off until we get this mess sorted, okay?’
‘Fine, but just know I’m going to spend however long it takes sorting this mess, imagining exactly where I’m going to put my hands later.’
‘Believe me. So am I. But please, respect my wishes.’
‘Of course.’ I’d never not respect her wishes, even if they’re in direct contrast with my own. It’s imperative that we take this thing at her pace.
Because we are a thing. Or we’re going to be.
Even if she doesn’t know it yet.
‘Hello?’ Savannah calls, strutting down a wide corridor through to a spacious living area and a bright, opulent open-plan kitchen.
A huge open fireplace punctuates an exposed brick wall in the centre of the room. A wraparound terrace flanks the side of the house. I can only imagine the views from there in the daylight.
Jake’s familiar voice resounds from upstairs. ‘We’re up here.’
We pad back through the house, my feet sinking into the plush lavish carpet lining the stairs. ‘This place is absolutely fabulous, Sav.’
‘Isn’t it?’ She leads the way, taking the second door on the left.
Jake’s lying on the floor in a couple of inches of water pooling beneath a clawfoot freestanding bath big enough to accommodate eight adults. His t-shirt is rumpled and riding high, revealing a neat even six-pack and the tan of a man who is retired. Another man lies on the other side of him, wielding some sort of wrench and barking orders at Jake. Jessica’s brother.
Jessica hovers in the corner watching her man with fascination. She’s tall and lean with long copper hair and cat-shaped eyes winged with black eyeliner. Her head whips up as we enter. She stares like a rabbit caught in the headlights, eyeing Savannah like she’s some sort of goddess, which I can fully attest she is.
One hand cups her mouth, the ring that Jake put thereonly a year ago glinting and twinkling beneath the bathrooms spotlights. Her other hand cups her protruding belly.
Jakes certainly does have news.
‘Oh my god, Single Sav!’ Jessica squeals. ‘I’m a huge fan. I just subscribed to your blog last week.’ Jessica’s palm sweeps over her stomach in a circular motion. ‘We just had our twenty-week scan and I’m looking for all the advice on motherhood I can get.’
Savannah hovers in the doorway. ‘I, err, thank you.’ She’s clearly eyeing the rings, or should I say rock, glittering on Jessica’s finger.
Does Savannah really have no idea that married woman adore her too?
There’s an entire market out there and it’s not just single women she can help, but that’s not a conversation for right now.
‘Nice of you to turn up,’ Jake grunts, standing up. He shakes his head, but a grin lights his face all the way to his eyes.
My gaze strays to Jessica’s stomach. ‘Congratulations, man. You’re going to make an awesome dad.’ I grab his hand and shake it vigorously.
‘Thanks. And you’re going to make an awesome godfather.’ His head cocks in question for a split second. He watches as his words sink in, and I crush him into my chest in a man hug.
