Page 26 of Inarticulate

He heard her, it was visible in the way his jaw ticked, and he walked away nonetheless, taking any respect she had for herself along with him.

Email

Date: 21stDecember

Subject: The Sated Palate

Dear Savannah,

So many weeks later and the thought of that night still makes me fucking crazy. If only you knew how many times I had to clench my fists from the need to speak to you. I would’ve given anything to say your name, to whisper it in your ear, to make you shiver with the beauty of that one word.

I’ve told you before that you saw more in me than anyone else, yet you also stoked to life insecurities that I haven’t felt since childhood. You made me want to be someone else. You made me wish for a perfection I wasn’t capable of.

How did you do that?

Without even asking for anything, I want to give you the world. I would’ve given anything to be able to smile back at you that night and brush off the disappointment of your comment. Anything, Savannah.

I could’ve explained the possibility of communicating with sign language. I could’ve taken out my cell and messaged you words that would distract you from my defects. If only you hadn’t knocked my legs out from beneath me.

You know me now, Savannah. You know we can communicate without the need to speak. Please come back to me so we can work this out.

Keenan

Chapter Ten

Days passedwithout communication from anyone apart from the employees in the hotel Savannah currently inhabited. There was no sign of Penny, no emails from Mr. Rydel, no calls from Dominic, and definitely no word from Keenan. She’d even spent an entire day calling recruitment agencies to fill the holes in their current staff levels to ensure the upcoming wedding didn’t go to hell, but she was still waiting for even one reply.

She’d become ostracized, cocooned in her own little world. Her friends back home were busy with work and their upcoming plans for Thanksgiving. Spencer was the only one going out of his way to connect with her, and she was trying to dodge his calls as best as possible.

The positive result was her workload being up to date. She’d found a semblance of routine in her work hours, and staff even began to smile at her in greeting. They trusted her, and she was devoted to strengthening that trust through continuous conversations and responding to unending emails of concern.

But the nights were lonely. She’d spent five evenings alone in the bath, a gossip magazine clutched between her fingers, and now the luxury had worn off. Evidently, relaxation wasn’t her thing. Even the frangipani salts the concierge had bought her hadn’t increased the enjoyment of tonight’s soaking.

It didn’t leave her optimistic for the rest of her stay in Seattle, either. It was only Friday night—a mere two weeks since she’d arrived, and there were still so many desolate nights ahead of her. If only Dominic would call. He was her only hope for a social life. She couldn’t even risk contacting her Aunt Michelle regarding another dinner invitation in case Penny or Keenan showed up, too.

She’d successfully backed herself into isolation and the feeling wasn’t welcome.

Resting her head against the edge of the bath, she closed her eyes and willed Dominic to call. She was even prepared to admit he’d been right about Keenan. Not that the sexy, silent man had been the problem. It had been her. But she’d take the blame if it meant having a conversation with someone that didn’t involve Rydel and the upcoming sale.

She shimmied lower under the water and her eyes snapped open at the vibration of her silenced cell against the tile floor. “No way.” She sat up straight and wiped the moisture from her hands onto her dry arm before picking up the device.

She expected her imagination to have had the better of her, but no, the light in the top corner flashed with a notification. A message. The number was unfamiliar. The text equally puzzling.

Unknown: I apologize for my behavior. It was uncalled for.

She had Dominic’s number stored so it couldn’t be him. Maybe it was Penny. Hell, the apology could’ve come from any number of irate employees she’d had to talk down this week. Even Spencer, who had a list of things he could apologize for. But her heart kick-started at the possibility of it being someone else. Someone dark, mysterious, and deadly silent.

Savannah: Who is this?

She brought her knees to her chest, suddenly chilled in the warm water.

Unknown: How many people owe you an apology? I’m not sure if that makes me feel like more of an asshole for my behavior, or better because I fit in with the crowd.

She bit her lip, determined to calm her excitement. She wanted it to be Keenan. Her body hadn’t been able to let go of the intimate moments at the bonfire. Or the kiss at the restaurant. She craved him, even though she’d done her best to forget him.

Savannah: I have high standards. Most people don’t even know they’re on my shit list.

She placed her thumb between her teeth and began biting her nail.

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