I didn't remind her Wolfgang was older as well, but Forrest was not Wolfgang. For one thing, he wasn't dead, his heart cut out of his chest. I was surprised as anyone to find he actually had one.
"Just remember," Savannah said, "that whole thing about not fucking on the first date is old fashioned. If you want to fuck his brains out, I say go for it."
"Is that what you'd do?" I asked.
She laughed. "Absolutely. Life is too short not to get it on, especially with a hot guy. You should enjoy yourself." She nodded firmly.
I sighed. "I wish I could let go and… I don't know… live like you."
"You could live evenbetterthan me," she said. "You're a beautiful woman inside and out. And an amazing musician."
We met when we were both studying music, before I was pulled out of school and forced to get married. She'd always seemed like a bird or a butterfly. Beautiful and free. Living her life, soaring from one day to the next. I'd envied her, but I was happy for her. She'd reminded me there was a better life out there for me. Even on the darkest days when I didn't think it was possible, she'd call me and remind me things would get better.
"He might not want to fuck my brains out," I said.
She scoffed. "Does he have eyes?"
"Yes," I said, frowning slightly.
"Do they work?" She tilted her head.
"As far as I know, they do." I shrugged.
"Then of course he wants to fuck your brains out. Any man would. They'd be crazy not to. Hell, if I was a guy, I'd one hundred percent tap that."
I shook my head. "Please never say that again."
She laughed. "You know what I mean. You're gorgeous. You don't seem to realize that yourself. That's why I'm here to tell you."
"You're sweet," I said.
"No, I'm not." She waved the words away, her hand a flap in the corner of the screen. "I'm wild and crazy. But I've got your back, okay? If this guy hurts you, he can deal with me."
I tried to imagine Forrest's response to being accosted by someone like Savannah. She was probably a couple of feet shorter than him and feisty as hell. She'd give him as good as she got.
"He won't hurt me," I said. "I won't let him." Careful might as well be my middle name these days. Sable Careful Kohl. That would go well with my actual middle name, Ursula.
That made me remember the text messages. I hadn't received one for the last handful of hours. I thought about telling Savannah, but she'd only worry.
Chances were I wouldn't get another one. They were playing earlier. Now they were done with it. I should delete and forget about them. People and their stupid games. I'd laugh if they hadn't put me on edge.
"What is it?" Savannah asked. "You have that look again."
"I was just thinking what shoes I should wear with my dress," I lied.
"Heels. Always heels," Savannah said. "They're good for stepping on people's feet if they piss you off. And they look good if you're not wearing a stitch of clothing."
"You've thought of everything," I teased.
She tapped the side of her head with her fingertip. "I always do."
I laughed. "I'm glad you're my friend."
"Of course you are. I'd make a scary archenemy." She grinned.
"The last thing I need is an archenemy," I said dryly. "Although I don't think I have a high enough profile for that. Don't you need to be a superhero?"
"You already are a superhero," she said. "You're my hero, anyway, although you don't go out on the streets with underwear over a leotard. That I know of."
