Page 73 of Never the Best

“What?” Betsy Rhodes, who owned Savannah society, stepped in front of the man who I didn’t care to look at. “I think Rhett is doing exactly what he should do, what any decent person should. Don’t you agree?”

The man just nodded blankly.

There was the elite, and then there was Gabe’s mother. She turned to face Caroline, Josie, and Dixie May. “I’m very disappointed in all of you.” Then she narrowed her eyes on Birdie. “Especiallyyou, Birdie. I expected better.”

In Savannah society, having Betsy reprimand you in private or public was a death sentence.

Murmurs climbed across the room.

“Emily,” Betsy said regally. “I think this year we should also find and fund some organizations that support mental health issues such as eating disorders. What do you think?”

Emily came up to us and patted my shoulder. “That’s a good idea, Betsy. And I’m sure our sponsor here will support that.”

I turned to see Gabe and Noah standing behind me. People were glaring at Josie, Dixie May, Caroline, and Birdie.

Alice gave me a thumbs-up sign and grinned wide.

I wasn’t alone, I realized, not when the Queen of Savannah Society was standing with meandwith Pearl.

By the time I got back to the cottage, the adrenaline from the confrontation had worn off, leaving me feeling drained. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, half expecting the house to be quiet. Instead, I was greeted by the sound of applause.

Aunt Hattie and Missy were in the living room, their faces lit up as they clapped like I’d just won an Oscar.

“What the hell?” I muttered, setting my keys down in the bowl on the counter.

“You’re famous, nephew,” Hattie grinned. “That littlespeech of yours is already making the rounds online. Alice sent it to me first, of course. Thought I’d appreciate it.”

“What?”

“Someone recorded the speech you just gave at the Harper Fowlkes House, and posted it to TikTok, Instagram, X, and…well, everywhere. Hashtag My Hero.”

I groaned, rubbing a hand over my face. “Great. Just what I needed.”

“Oh, come on, you’re having a viral moment,” Aunt Hattie teased. “You did good, Rhett. Really good. About time someone called those vipers out for what they are.”

Missy’s smile was warm. “She’s right. That took guts.”

Before I could respond, Pearl came into the living room. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, and she was wearing one of those soft, oversized shirts she loved, but it was her eyes that stopped me.

They were clear. Brighter than I’d seen them be in weeks.

“I can’t believe you did that,” she rasped in wonder.

I shrugged, suddenly self-conscious. “It was nothing.”

She crossed the room slowly, her gaze never leaving mine. And then, before I could say another word, she went on tiptoe and kissed me.

It was soft and tentative at first like she was testing the waters, but when I didn’t pull away, it deepened. Her hands slid to the back of my neck, and I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her like she might disappear if I let go.

When she finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, and she was smiling.

“Thank you,” shesaid simply.

“For what?”

“For being my person. For standing up for me. For everything.”

My heart pounded in a way that felt like it might break me—but in the best possible way.

---