Page 75 of Grady

Savannah wanted to curl into a ball and cry, but she got busy helping people and soon it was time to close.

When the last person walked out, Savannah locked the door and turned the ‘closed’ sign over.

“Do you want to go up to my place?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course, I don’t.”

They gathered up their things then walked out the back door used for deliveries. After locking it, Savannah followed Maggie upstairs and waited while she unlocked the door. They stepped inside, set their purses down, then headed for the sofa.

“Would you like a glass of wine?”

“Oh, Maggie, that would be wonderful, but just one. I have to drive home.”

“No problem.” Maggie poured them each of a glass of redMerlot and handed one to Savannah.

“Thank you.” Savannah took a sip and sighed. “That’s good.”

“What happened?”

Savannah told Maggie everything. From Kirk being the one who stole her phone, to answering it and telling Grady she didn’t want to talk to him.

“Maggie, I understand Grady getting upset, but I’ve already been with one man who lost trust and faith in me. Two totally different ways, but no trust from either of them. After everything I told Grady about how Kirk treated me, he still believed him without talking with me. I know I didn’t have a phone then, but the minute Kirk fed him that line of bullshit, he should have come to me.”

“When did Kirk tell him that?”

“Sunday. Apparently, Grady called my phone, I suppose to talk about our argument about him asking me if I still had feelings for Kirk. It was while Grady was away. He tried to call me, but when Kirk answered and said what he did, Grady should have talked with me. Even being away, when he came back, that should have been his first priority. Not to question me about going back to Kirk, but to tell me what Kirk had said to him.” Savannah sighed then took another sip of wine.

“Grady had to have been upset, Vanna. I mean, he went away because you two argued and I know you would have worked that out, but then he calls your phone, and Kirk answers and feeds him a line of bullshit. And since you didn’t have your phone, if he would have tried to call you again and you didn’t answer, he would have believed Kirk. Can’t you see that?”

“The argument about him asking me if I still had feelings for Kirk should never have crossed his mind. He knew what that prick put me through, and yet he still asked me. Oh, I have feelings for Kirk alright, but they aren’t good ones. I understand the saying, there’s a thin line between love and hate all too well.It doesn’t take much for love to turn to hate.” She sighed. “It hurt me so much that Grady would even think, for one second, that I’d go back to Kirk, or not want to talk to him if he called.”

“I get what you’re saying, but as I said, if he did try to call you back, and you didn’t answer, he would think Kirk was telling the truth, especially if Kirk answered again, and I know I don’t know him very well, but I’d bet he would when he saw Grady’s name on the screen again. I just think Grady is unsure of your feelings about him. From what you’ve told me, he never wanted to settle down, and now he’s in this relationship with you. I think he’s in love with you and it terrifies him.”

“Why would you think he’s in love with me?”

“Vanna, I’ve seen him looking at you. He is head over heels for you, and I know you’re in love with him. You light up every time you talk about him. I think you both need to talk this out. Don’t let a good man slip through your fingers and I’m sure he’s also scared that he’s lost you.”

“I know, but for him not to come to me and tell me what Kirk said, makes me think he doesn’t trust me or believe in me. He just believed Kirk.” Savannah shook her head. “Grady should have come to me before jumping to conclusions,” she repeated.

Maggie touched her hand. “Vanna, you’re not listening to me. Think. If Grady did call you back, say even the next day, he wouldn’t have gotten an answer because you didn’t have your phone. Kirk did and being the dick Kirk is, I know he would have enjoyed answering your phone again, if it was still on. Just to fuck with Grady. What do think would go through Grady’s head? You two belong together. You have to get past this. All couples argue and trust is a huge issue when you’re in love, but you still have to talk things out. Both people in a relationship must communicate. You love him. Do you want to lose him?”

“No.” She sighed. “I love him more than I thought I could love any man. We do have to talk. I want him to know how he hurt meby taking Kirk’s word over something like that.”

Maggie shook her head. “I know he shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions about you and Kirk, but if it were reversed, what would you have done?”

“I—” Savannah shook her head. “I don’t really know. Looking at it from Grady’s point of view, I can see where he’d think the worst. Especially if he did call again. It’s such a mess. I have to talk to him.”

“You should.”

Savannah stood up, walked to the kitchen, set her glass in the sink, then looked at Maggie.

“I will. I just need a few days to calm down. Thank you. I appreciate you listening to me.”

“What are friends for?”

Savannah smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”