‘Do any of your commitments? What about your clothing range? Did you take an oath I’m unaware of?’
‘No.’ I shake my head gently. Maybe it’s time to focus on the clothes. I did always want to open a store.
‘Look, I know this is a huge change for you, Savannah. I get it. But you can still offer sublime parenting advice, whether you have a boyfriend or not. You can design children’s clothing whether you have a boyfriend or not. Life changes. Nothing stays the same. We grow and evolve. You, my love, are evolving. And your fans can either like it or lump it.’
‘Tell that to my agent,’ I snort. ‘I still haven’t started that damn book.’
‘So, write a different book. Write a different synopsis. Write for a different imprint. This is your life, my love. It’s time to start living it. We have each other. We’ll get through a little backlash.’
‘We’ll have to. Because life without you by my side isn’t an option.’
‘That we can agree on.’ He presses a kiss to my cheek.
I roll my lips together as a wave of nerves washes over me. ‘I’ll draft an email to go out this weekend to my blog subscribers. It’s only fair they hear it from me first, after all the support they’ve given me over the years.’
‘That’s probably wise.’
‘I’ll tell them the truth. I wasn’t looking for love, but I found it anyway.’
‘You did?’ Disbelief hitches in his throat.
‘Yes. I love you.’ Those three words are out of my mouth. There’s no going back.
Chapter Thirty-Four
RONAN
Since Savannah said those three little words on Friday, I haven’t been able to wipe the grin from my face.
Every stupid love song on the radio sets me smiling like a goofy schoolboy.
Every time I look at her, I vow to never make her regret choosing me over her brand.
Speaking of branding, I scoured her Coral Chic contract. It doesn’t mention her relationship status, but I wouldn’t put it past Lucas Beechwood to pull her from it just because he wanted her for himself. But in case the shoot is going ahead, Savannah needs another trip to the open water. Her confidence and abilities in the pool have improved immeasurably, but wild swimming is a different beast altogether. It’s imperative she’s prepared.
Jake and I always maintained the only way to overcome your fear is to face it head-on. And while Savannah has faced her fear of the water, she’s never returned to the lake where her fear originated.
Taking her there is either the best idea I’ve ever had, or the worst.
It’s Sunday morning, so we’re due a lesson, anyway. It’s just a simple change of location.
Having crept out of Savannah’s bed only a couple of hours earlier, I’ve already been for my morning run, home for a shower, and swung by the twins’ favourite bakery to pick up donuts, gingerbread men, and a selection of fresh pastries.
When I’m five minutes from Savannah’s house, I call her. She answers on the second ring. The sound of the twins squealing in the background resounds through my in-car speaker system.
‘Miss me already?’ There’s a taunting to her tone.
‘I missed you the second I left you.’ When will she ever accept the magnitude of my feelings for her? Sometimes I feel like she’s waiting for me to turn around and say, ‘I’m only joking.’ Sometimes I feel like she’s waiting for me to leave her.
She’ll be waiting a long time for that to happen.
‘That was only three hours ago.’ She tuts, but I hear the pleasure in her voice.
‘Three long, cold hours away from your bed,’ I groan. When will it be acceptable for the twins to know I stay?
‘Hmm. I miss you too.’ The background noise subsides, like she’s moved rooms. ‘What time is our swimming lesson today? You know it’ll be the last one before the shoot.’ As if I could forget.
‘I was thinking we could go wild swimming. Think of it as an end of term excursion.’ My fingers thrum the steering wheel as she contemplates the idea. ‘Are your dads taking the girls?’ I wince thinking about her fathers.
