Page 35 of Promise of a New Beginning
“I know. It does feel that way, but ever since you and Josh got together, I see more of you both than ever before, so I can’t complain,” Savannah said.
“We tried to call you.” Josh wrapped his arm around Riley’s waist. “We were going to try to meet earlier, but I guess you’re screening your calls.”
“Not from you I’m not.” She pulled out her phone and made atsksound. “It was still on silent from my meeting. I’m sorry. Wow. I have six messages. Did you call me that many times?”
“Three,” Josh said. “Let’s head over to the concert.”
Savannah covered her ear and listened to her messages as they headed toward Rumsey Field. When Jack’s voice came through the phone, she stopped in her tracks and grabbed Josh’s arm.
What?he mouthed.
Savannah held up a finger as she listened; then she put her phone in her jeans pocket and hugged Josh as she squealed.
“Good news?” Riley asked.
Savannah’s smile faded. She realized she hadn’t told Josh anything about Jack, and now she wasn’t sure she should. He’d think she was nuts getting excited over a man while on the rebound from Connor.
“Oh, um…”Shoot.
“I bet it was Ja-ack,” Riley said in a singsong voice.
“Jack?” Savannah glared at Josh. “Don’t tell me. Treat called you? I swear sometimes this family is so messed up.” She stomped off in the direction of the field.
Josh and Riley caught up to her.
“He stopped by before he left town and said he’d just come from your office. One thing led to another. He was just worried about you,” Josh explained.
“Whatever. You guys must think I’m so messed up.” Heat flushed her cheeks. She shoved her hands in her pockets and kept her eyes trained on the ground.
“I was there, Savannah. Treat really was worried, but not because he thinks you’re messed up.” Riley spoke so fast that Savannah had to watch her mouth to make sure she didn’t miss a word. “He was worried because he said that, for the first time ever, he’d seen something in your eyes that made him believe that whatever happened between you and Jack was real. And he was worried that ifyoudidn’t recognize it for what it was that you might always regret it. He just asked us to make sure you were okay. That’s all. I promise.” Riley sucked in a quick breath.
Savannah’s jaw hung open. She blinked away her surprise. “He said that?”
“He did,” Josh said, then kissed Riley’s cheek.
“What did he see?”
“Maybe what we saw when you listened to Jack’s message?” Josh said with a smile.
Savannah felt her cheeks flush. “I didn’t realize I asked that out loud.”Treat could see how I felt? I’m a goner.
They reached the field where the concert was already taking place, and Kaylie’s voice boomed through the speakers. Crowds of people stood before the stage calling out to her. She looked radiant beneath the lights. Her blond hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders as she sang into the microphone, swinging her hips and working the crowd.
“I forgot how well Kaylie can sing,” Riley said as they made their way along the outskirts of the crowd toward the stage in search of Danica and Blake.
Savannah heard the music and Riley’s comment, but she was thinking about returning Jack’s call and what the call itself meant. His message was so cute, like he had no idea what to say.I’d like to see you. Talk to you. Whatever you want.Her stomach fluttered.He is thinking about me.
“SAVANNAH! RILEY! JOSH!” Danica stood at the side of the stage, waving her arms. Her dark corkscrew curls sprang out in different directions and hung just past her shoulders, so different from her sister’s shiny blond hair.
“I feel like we’re having a family reunion,” Savannah said as she embraced Danica and then her husband, Blake. Blake had grown up with Savannah and her siblings. As cousins, they’d spent many summers hanging out on her family’s ranch together.
“Still gorgeous,” Blake said to Savannah. Blake was tall, dark, and handsome, and before meeting Danica, he’d used those good looks to his advantage and lived the life of a player. Taking any woman, anytime, anywhere. But the moment he set eyes on Danica, he’d fallen for her, and he’d cleaned up his act.
“Not half as gorgeous as your wife,” Savannah teased.
“Very true. And look at these two.” He nodded toward Josh and Riley, who were nose to nose, whispering as they stared into each other’s eyes. “Looks like they’re doing a photo shoot forRomancemagazine.” He laughed. “Dude, care to give your cousin a hug? Pry yourself away from your fiancée for a second?”
“You’re always so needy,” Josh teased.
