Page 92 of Told You So
My heart flutters a little at her words, and the tension of the day that’s been coiled in my shoulders and neck slackens a little.
“He mentioned our friendship has caused some problems, so—I want you to know that, even though this is strange to say to you, I want Nick to be happy. Right now, I guess that means with you. I’d still like to be his friend, but I don’t want you to feel like I’m a threat on top of it—I don’t want to be the reason he’s unhappy.” Savannah’s dark blue eyes are piercing and genuine, even if her tone is a little bitter.
Tentatively, I nod. Her admission is surprising, however she may truly feel about it, and it’s a gesture I didn’t expect.
Savannah purses her lips. Looks around the room then down at her hands before she looks at me again. “Okay then...I’m gonna go.” Her head bobs awkwardly and then she turns to leave.
“Savannah?”
She glances over her shoulder.
“Thanks.”
She lifts a delicate eyebrow and gives me a once-over. “Don’t fuck it up,” she says soberly. A small smile tugs at the corner of her mouth, then she walks out the door, slides her sunglasses on, and she disappears from sight.
I’m still staring out the window, mind reeling, when Anna Marie comes in from the back room with a box in her hands. “Who was that?”
“Savannah,” I breathe.
I look at Anna and her mouth is gaping. “As inthe other woman?”
I glower at her. “You don’t have to say it like that, but yes.”
“What the hell did she want?”
Smiling to myself, I turn to face her. “To call a truce.”
Anna’s surprise mimics what I’m feeling, even if I’m still processing it all. “So, are you going to call Nick, then?”
“Of course, but not now with you lurking.” I slide the scissors to her across the counter. “When did you get here? I thought you were running errands for your mom?”
“I just got back—just in time, too. Remind me never to let Trent do inventory again,” she says as a tangent, then shakes her head. “But that’s not important right now. You need to call Nick. You’rekillingme right now.”
“My life isn’t some soap opera for your viewing pleasure, you know,” I remind her, and tilt my head. “I text messaged him earlier; he knows I’ll call him on my break.”
“Well, whatever you do, you should make sure he’s in your cornerbeforeyou go into the snake pit after work.”
“I will. Shouldn’t you be more worried about what you’re going to wear for your date tonight?” I ask her, and she blanches.
“How do you know about that?”
“The walls at your apartment are paper thin,” I remind her.
Her eyes widen. “Good to know.”
Laughing, I pick up the laundry basket. “I’m going to put a load in. Stay up front for a sec, would you?”
Anna nods and pulls her phone from her back pocket. No doubt texting Bobby a quick warning about tonight. “Isn’t having a roommate so fun?” I ask over my shoulder, and she grumbles something inaudible.
I’m in the laundry room, sorting through the spray tan and hand towels, when I hear the front door ding. Knowing Anna Marie is out there, I leave it to her to deal with the next wave of clients.
I have no idea what exactly my mom wants to talk to me about. It could be anything from coordinating Jesse’s schedule to asking me to move all of my things out of the house this week, if she’s so inclined. And, as much as I don’t want to have a face-to-face conversation with her tonight, I also wish it was over with already.
There’s a creak in the floor as Anna comes into the room. “I’m almost finished,” I tell her and glance over my shoulder. But it’s Nick who’s standing there. His hands are in his pockets and an uncertain expression creases his face.
“Hey,” he says. His eyes are shadowed and his brow is deeply furrowed. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him so drained of everything that makes him Nick, and my heart hurts that it’s because of me.
“Hey.” I set the towels aside.
