Jake and Jessica exchange a look.
‘It would appear he’s had one, for the past few weeks, at least.’ Jake arches his thick dark eyebrows.
‘What do you mean?’ Genuine curiosity fizzles in my stomach.
‘Well, how long have you and Ronan beenfriends?’ Jake emphasises the word ‘friends’ heavily.
‘A few weeks, I guess. Though technically, we’ve known each other for a couple of years,’ I admit, before taking a sip of my wine. It’s crisp and cold and utterly delicious.
‘And when was the last time you saw an image printed of Ronan staggering out of a nightclub with a stray wannabe on his arm and an unflattering caption below?’
As I think about it, my jaws pause mid chew.
No, Savannah.
Just no.
One night, that was the arrangement.
The minute this becomes something more, the minute you start toexpect something, it’ll all come crashing down…along with the empire you’ve built.
No.
‘I.. err… we’re not… um…’
‘You’re Single Sav.’ Jessica states the obvious. ‘But man, why would you knock back the chance of something even bigger?’
Bigger? Has she seen Ronan’s enormous cock, too?
‘Like what?’ It comes out as a squeak.
‘Like one half of a power couple who’ve both proven they’re successful alone, but choose to be together instead.’ Jessica shrugs like it’s simple. Her eyes fall to Jake and I’m sensing there’s a story there, but neither of them elaborates, too engrossed in their shared dreamy-eyed stare.
Single Sav isn’t just a blog handle or a brand name. It’s my entire identity. Without it, what am I?
But is it the identity I want forever?
I’m beginning to wonder, but now is not the right time to jeopardise everything I’ve worked for. Not with the Coral Chic contract. And not with a second book deal hovering on the horizon.
Ronan is oddly quiet for once, seemingly engrossed in his pizza.
Silence descends upon the room.
I drop my slice of pizza and reach for my wine glass.
Ronan rests his left hand on my thigh beneath the island where my denim dress has ridden up. A jolt of electricity shoots through my skin and I feel like I could burst into flames. But what’s worse is, as well as the excitement and the burning yearning swirling inside me, is the deep sense of comfort from his touch.
Even though it’s impossible anyone can see Ronan’s hand, Jessica glances at Jake again. Clearly, they’re having some sortof private conversation conducted purely via eye contact. Three guesses about what . Or who, I should say.
I’m not put out. No, if anything, I’m envious.
What are the chances of me ever letting someone close enough to decipher my crazy silences and fluttering eyelashes?
Bobby finally breaks the silence, nodding towards Jessica’s tiny bump. ‘If it’s a boy, you’ll have to name him Bobby after his favourite uncle.’
While Jessica and Jake erupt with laughter, Ronan leans towards me to murmur in my ear.
‘You okay?’
