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“Daddy?” Charlie looks up at me. “Can we go?”
Savannah winks at me, which makes me feel a little “Yep. I’m making a mental note.”
She jerks her head toward the line. “Y’all are hungry for some red rice, huh?”
Charlie gives a joyous shout. “Yes!”
He grins up at her. She smiles right back, completely on his wavelength. Watching them talk defrosts the cold inner core I work so hard to maintain ever so slightly. It feels distinctly uncomfortable.
“Let me see if Dex wants to wait for some rice.” Savannah kneels, moving her head toward Dexter. She murmurs something to him. Dexter shakes his head, looking bashful.
“Okay.” Savannah kisses Dexter on the cheek and stands up. “I think he wants to go home.”
“He’s had quite an exciting morning,” Birdie says, ruffling her son’s hair. “I’m going home to put him to bed and bring Grandad some long-grain rice. I’ll be back in a little while.”
“Sure thing.” Savannah smiles as she watches her sister pick Dexter up and work her way through the crowd.
Savannah turns and her eyes land on my face. Our gazes catch. I can feel the back of my neck begin to heat as the moment stretches out like a lazy cat in the sunshine. My stomach does a few somersaults.
Her lips twitch. She jerks her head toward the lighthouse, one eyebrow rising. I think she’s asking me if I want to go talk. And I’m dumb enough to feel my heart rate increasing at the mere suggestion.
Of course I want to go. I nod. I’m rewarded with a grin from Savannah.
God, she’s gorgeous.
The line in front of us moves, and River and Charlie eagerly move up with it. I step out of line and gesture to River.
“I’m going to walk down and check out the other booths. Meet at the lighthouse in fifteen?”
“I’m going to eat all your rice!” my son shouts.
“I double dog dare you,” I fire back.
“Go ahead. We’re good.” River takes Charlie’s hand, smirking at me.
I don’t like his condescending expression, but now is not the time to argue with my brother in public. Turning, I jerk my head toward the lighthouse.
“You want to walk?” I ask, offering her my elbow.
Savannah looks a little surprised, her mouth forming an O for a second. But then she grins and links arms with me as naturally as if we were the best of friends.
“Lead the way!”
Swallowing and clenching my jaw, I start to walk. Savannah looks up at me, a secretive little smile on her face.
First, she’s great with Charlie. Then she’s extremely friendly to me. What’s next, she’s nice to my parents and my Dad falls in love with her?
This girl is hitting me in all the soft spots. I’m doing everything in my power to stay stern with her, but it’s a bit like expecting an inflatable man to withstand a hurricane.
Savannah purses her lips. “It’s beautiful out here today. That’s all. I don’t understand how you could ever move away from here.”
I give her a measured glance.
“My job demands it. And my ex is from Atlanta.” I clear my throat. “She wanted the big mansion in the fancy part of town. I let her pick, and we ended up settling in Buckhead.”
“Buckhead?” She whistles. “Nice neighborhood if you can afford it.”
I look at her with humor in my eyes. “I could afford it.”
