How to Resist Prince Charming(36)

She glanced down at her hands. “So, uh, if I was rude to you earlier, I’m really sorry. I wasn’t...well, I wasn’t me.”

She lifted big, blue eyes to Lenna, looking so miserable and apologetic, Lenna melted.

“You weren’t rude,” she assured.

“I wasn’t?” Savannah asked in surprise. Her shoulders slumped. “It’s just that when I’m Clara, I’m pretty bossy. At least, that’s what they tell me. I don’t actually remember...” Her words died off, and a haunted look entered her expression.

Lenna sympathized. She could only imagine how upsetting it’d be to forget half of the things she did. Life must be awful for Braxton’s sister. She wanted to say something to ease Savannah’s misery.

But Savannah beat her to the punch. Lifting her eyes, she pulled a smile to her lips. “So, how long have you and Brax been—”

“That was Dad,” Braxton interrupted, hurrying into the room. His eyes darted to Lenna before they settled on Savannah. “He and Mom have been looking everywhere for you. They’re just a couple of blocks away and will be here in a minute.”

“Oh, no,” Savannah gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. “Were they very worried?”

Braxton shrugged but couldn’t quite meet her gaze. “They’re okay.” He paused, clearly clueless as to what to say next. His eyes strayed toward Lenna; they begged her forgiveness and understanding.

“I told Lenna the truth,” Savannah said.

Whirling to face her, Braxton gaped. “You did?”

When Savannah nodded, his face tightened.

He cleared the expression off his features and managed a heart-rendering smile. “Thank you.”

“She said I wasn’t rude to her, but I don’t think I believe her.”

Braxton grinned. “Nah, you were too busy being rude to me.”

Savannah rolled her eyes. “I don’t have to be Clara to be rude to you.”

Their teasing worked to lighten the mood, and the two grinned at each other. Braxton glanced toward Lenna. They shared a smile too—his filled with relief; hers as supportive as she could make it. She wanted to go to him and just hold him.

“So, what did I do?” Savannah asked, interrupting Lenna and Braxton’s silent connection. “And why did I end up here?”

Braxton shrugged. “I don’t know. You said you needed to talk to me, and then you turned back into yourself.”

“Hmm.” Savannah sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “I wonder what I wanted to tell you.”

Before anyone could guess the answer, the front door burst open and two people spilled inside. One of them was Spencer Farris.

Lenna’s eyes widened; she took a step in reverse.

“Savannah!” cried the woman rushing in after Mr. Farris. She ran straight to Braxton’s sister and pulled her into a tight hug.

“I’m sorry, Mom,” Savannah immediately gushed, squeezing Mrs. Farris tight.

“Shh.” Mrs. Farris rocked her daughter back and forth. “Everything’s fine now. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Mr. Farris paused next to Braxton and glanced at him, worry evident from every tense muscle on his face. “You okay?”

Braxton jammed his hands into his pockets and nodded. “Yeah,” he answered, watching his mother and sister hug. “Fine.”

Nodding, Spencer went toward the women.

“Hey, now,” he warned as he neared them. “Don’t go getting all mushy. You’ll make Vannah start crying, and it looks like she just got over a spell.”

As Mr. and Mrs. Farris coddled their daughter, Braxton moved next to Lenna. She glanced at him.

His eyes looked concerned, as if he could read her thoughts. When he took her hand, she eagerly latched onto his supportive fingers.

“Okay, you’ve had enough time with her. It’s my turn for a hug,” Spencer said.

His wife rolled her eyes, but let go of Savannah with a slight laugh. She turned toward Braxton and murmured his name.

“Thank you,” she mouthed and drew close to hug him. When she pulled back, she finally noticed Lenna. “Oh! Oh, my. We’re interrupting.”

Lenna started to shake her head, but Braxton’s mother stuck out her hand. “Hello, I’m Raven.”

Lenna swallowed, but took her hand.

“Mom,” Braxton said, sticking protectively close. “This is Lenna. Lenna, this is...my family. All we’re missing is my brother, Ty. But you’ve met him.”

Lenna smiled at his mother once again before glancing toward her father’s old boss. She sweated, just knowing he was going to recognize her from back when he used to let her sit at his desk years ago and play office. He’d always sneak her a couple of quarters so she could to go down the hall and buy a snack from the vending machines, too.

But Spencer Farris barely glanced her way. “It’s nice to meet you,” he murmured and sent her a kind smile. He was too preoccupied with his daughter to give her much notice.

“Well, we’ll leave you two alone,” Raven Farris announced and promptly ushered Savannah and Spencer toward the exit. Throwing a knowing look at Lenna’s wrinkled blouse and skirt, she added, “I’m sure we’ve already ruined enough of your morning.”