She grins at my directness. “No. Why should they? I would be working at the wrong place if they did. Plus, I would much rather have a good coffee or be at a festival in town. I’m not sure you would understand. We had different upbringings.”
Her answer has zero bullshit in it, and I’m not used to that when women are around me. “I guess I wouldn’t,” I reply softly with honesty I wish I didn’t need. The idea of growing up with a family that actually spent time with one another is a foreign concept to me.
She grabs her glass of water and takes a sip before setting it down. She’s about to say something, but an older woman in her black dress and a thick ruby necklace stops by beside me and smiles.
“I thought that was you,” her scratchy voice greets me.
Being polite, I stand. “It’s been a long time, Penelope.” She’s an old neighbor from when I was younger.
“It’s good to see you.” She glances down at Savannahwho smiles, before Penelope returns her attention to me. “Lovely to see you in good spirits.”
I drag my thumb above my lip. “Yeah, well… I guess it’s been quite a few years. Everything good with Matt?” Her son was a few years older than me when I was at school.
She nods gleefully. “Very much. He’s down in Denver, and his wife is about to have baby number two.” It doesn’t surprise me that he has a young family, many men my age do. Me? It doesn’t cross my mind, probably because I haven’t had a situation where I need to think about it.
“Tell him I say hello.” It’s only to be polite, I don’t particularly care.
“Sure thing. How is the rest of the family? I ran into your sister about a year ago, and I haven’t seen your father in years.”
My entire body constricts, and that feeling of distaste quickly ignites. “Excuse me. I believe I promised Savannah a dance.” I’m quick to offer her my hand, and she seems to understand the urgency and accepts it as she stands. “Good to see you,” I tell Penelope and head straight to the dance floor as a slower tune begins.
I wind Savannah into me tightly until her middle meets mine, and she drapes her arms over my shoulders. Instantly, the last minute disperses, and my body relaxes. It’s all because ofher. The woman in my arms whose rapid pulse I feel is due to me. That’s not me being cocky, it’s the truth, because it mirrors mine.
My eyes meet hers, and she isn’t curious nor sympathetic, instead only peaceful.
“You’re not going to ask me about all of that?”
She presses her lips out and continues to sway as my hand slides down to her hip. “No. If there was something you wanted to share, you would. I’m not going to ask.” Sheanswers so simply, and it blows my mind. People tend to want to dig into the issue.
“Well, I would rather not get into it on a dance floor with eyes all around.”
“Okay.” We continue to move, and our bodies so easily mold together. Yet again, another problem about her, and my body doesn’t accept the warning. In view over her shoulder, I notice Clark Gabes by the bar, and he catches my location. It didn’t cross my mind that he would be here, though I’m not surprised.
“Savannah, you need to be a little closer.” I yank her slightly, nearly causing her to lose her step and crash into my chest, with a little yelp released from her lips. I ensure that my hand is splayed perfectly on her back, the part that shows her bare shoulder blades, making a point to invite his irritation at the view he’s witnessing.
Her brows furrow at me for the sudden bolt of insistence that our embrace changes. “A little lighter on the moves, please, I’m in heels,” she complains.
“Sorry, I saw an opening to show you off, and I took it,” I admit.
“An opening to what?”
Laughing once, it’s sinister. “Clark Gabes is by the bar and holding his glass a little too hard with envy.”
Savannah instantly fumes, and her fingers dig into my chest as she begins to push me away, but I place my palms on top of them to stop her. “You’re using me? Is this why I’m here? So you can add me to your methods of having the upper hand with people?”
I squeeze her hands tightly against my chest to ease her. “Absolutely not. It’s by chance he’s here. I didn’t anticipate that.”
Her eyes remain wide. “I’m not a pawn.”
My gaze snaps and pierces straight into her eyes. “You’re not, but a smart man takes opportunities to ensure victory.” It earns me her eyes sliding to the side with utter dismay. “Can you blame me for wanting to show you off?” I mean it sincerely.
“I’m not something to be shown off.” She isn’t thrilled, and I’ve clearly offended her, which is fair enough. I could have explained it with a bit more tact.
Rubbing circles with my thumb on top of her hands, I try to calm her. “Trust me, this is all by chance. Despite what you may think, you are a stunning woman, and every man in here is envious. I’m the one lucky that you’re here with me… and not about to knee me.”
She doesn’t respond, deliberating with herself whether now is the time to flee.
“Really.” I ensure I capture her sight to reassure her, and hopefully she can see my authenticity. “I want to dance with you, so please stay with me. I won’t pull any more bullshit.”
