AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I would have been fine.” I have to believe that in order to move on and forget about it. “Ian was the one who insisted I go home with him.”
“She said my bed was heaven.” His eyes light up as Savannah’s mouth drops.
“He’s joking,” I quickly defend myself. “I mean, it was comfy, but he slept on the couch.”
“I wish you two could have seen your faces.” Ian laughs, shooting me a wink. “I’m sorry about what happened to you, Savannah.” She nods as he walks toward the back door.
“That man is completely into you.” Her voice lowers.
“Savannah.” I keep my eyes tracing the grout of the tile to avoid contact with the brown ones.
“You like him. It’s been obvious since you two met.” The weight of her hands on my shoulders makes me look at her. “Let yourself be happy, My Little Daisy.” My jaw clenches as she uses that nickname. She did that one hundred percent on purpose.
“Ian and I want different things, okay? I can’t let my heart go through that kind of vulnerability again.” I sigh, but I didn’t experience the kind of heartbreak Savannah is currently hit with. That would require me to actually allow myself to build an emotional connection with a guy. Opening up to what I felt last night with Ian. “Look, myShining Sunflower,even if the kiss last night was worth shattering my deceased parents’ favorite dinner plates, he won’t let it go past that.” I regret the words as I say them, just as a loud squeal pierces through the house, turning heads in our direction.
“I knew it!” She claps her hands like a child.
“It’s not going to happen again.”
“Emery, I am happy for you.” She pauses, eyes narrowing. “Why not past a kiss?”
“Because he wants more.” My brain rattles from a million thoughts.
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“Savannah, you just had your heart broken. Why would I put myself in that position?” She rolls her eyes as they water.
“You know he’d work through shit with you.” Her voice crack hits me tight in my heart. “You know he wouldn’t cheat or use you.”
“I don’t want to hurt. My parents don’t have any more happy moments, so why should I?” My hand goes over my mouth, not meaning the last part to come out. I shut my eyes and breathe. This town is too much.
Savannah’s long arms wrap around me, pulling me tightly against her. “You, my dear, are scared.” She can feel my heavy breathing. “Scared, because you might feel something more, and you know you’d want to continue. You both have the same frequency.” I remain silent. “As for your parents, you know they’d want you to enjoy life.” Her chin rest on the top of my head, and I feel my throat constrict.
“You don’t get it.” If a gut can physically hit the floor, mine is there on display. I know I look like a ghost as she pulls back, and I zone in on the jam by the sink.
“Which is another reason why Ian is great for you.”
“Look, just because he understands what it’s like to lose his parents, that doesn’t mean we need to cling to each other.”
“Hallie told me the other day you two are meant to be.”
“And do you know why they broke up?” My voice is barely above a whisper.
“She said their love ran its course, and they were just not compatible.”
“Savannah, she wanted to find a guy who could mimic the same chemistry she saw between Ian and I,” I admit as if I’m at fault. “She wouldn’t settle, and I love her for having that standard. I fought against my feelings, and that was part of the reason I skipped town years ago.”
“And now the feelings are flooding back?”They never left.Savannah’s eyes are too hopeful for what she just went through. Avoidance.
“Girl, let’s focus on you.” I hold out my arms. “You really thought Landon was the one?” She nods. “What do you need? Your favorite meal? A shoulder? Alcohol?”
“I cried the entire drive back home.” Savannah blinks back tears. “I spent the last two days hiding out in my house.”
“Come here.” Pulling her in for a hug, my body locks from my foreign gesture. I hold her tight as she fights back tears, knowing Savannah wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s cautious, but when she lets someone in, she’s in it for the long haul. Dreaming up a beautiful life and letting her love be known to the world. But he wasn’t meant for her, and the world is shitty at times.
“No, I can’t cry.” Stepping out of my arms, she places her hands on my shoulders. “Gosh, we weren’t even engaged, and it hurts this badly. I can’t imagine what you went through.”
I shrug and turn to pick up my coffee mug. “The universe knows what's going to happen, and we don’t always have control. What wecancontrol is accepting what happens and moving on to the next scene. Channel what you can, and better yourself.”
