Right Where We Belong (Silver Springs #4)(86)

“And yet you walked out without even saying goodbye.”

“Heather was texting me to let me know she was back, and I wanted to talk to her.”

She propped one shoulder against the doorjamb. “Did you tell her?”

“I didn’t bring that up specifically, no. But I did let her know that things have gotten physical between you and me in the past, and I’d like the opportunity to explore what I feel for you.”

Her eyes widened in apparent surprise. “What about the baby? And moving to Nashville?”

“If the baby’s mine, I’ll have to stay in Silver Springs.”

“And that’s okay? You love music. And you’re so good at it. I wouldn’t want to be the one holding you back.”

“You wouldn’t be holding me back. I’ll do what I can from here and possibly LA. Granted, that doesn’t put me in the best position for success. There are far more opportunities in Nashville these days, despite what others might think of LA. But if I have a child, I won’t move away from him or her.”

“If you married Heather, you could have both,” she pointed out.

“I’ve considered that. But then there’s you, and there’s no getting away from the fact that you hold some magic for me.”

Another smile threatened, but she seemed to fight it off. “As much as I like hearing that, I don’t know if I can let you make such a choice.”

“Because...”

“I want you to have what will make you the happiest.”

The sincerity in her voice destroyed any doubt he had left about breaking off with Heather. This was the type of woman he wanted. “How do you know that won’t be getting together with you?”

She stepped outside and closed the door. “Think about it, Gavin. I don’t have a lot to offer. I have two kids who are great, but they are struggling, especially Branson. Since his father went to jail, he’s been wetting the bed. I thought it had stopped, but he had another accident last night, so I’ll probably have to figure out a way to afford therapy for him. Beyond that, I’m not officially divorced. So if Gordon doesn’t go to prison, I might not be able to finalize the paperwork, at least for some time. He could sue me for custody of Branson and Alia, demand visitation even if he doesn’t get custody, balk at paying child support and generally make me—and anyone who’s attached to me—miserable. It’s not even as though I have many possessions or money to make life easier, only this broken-down house that I’m trying to fix up and barely enough savings to carry me until fall, at which point I’ll be searching for a job. Why would you ever want to get involved with me?”

“There’s a lot that’s broken in your life right now.”

“Exactly.”

“Well, I happen to be really good at fixing things,” he said.

She laughed. “But don’t you think we’re up against too much? Why would you ever be willing to jump into such a mess?”

He stepped closer so he could cup her cheek with his free hand. “Because I think I could love you like I’ve never loved anyone else.”

He’d told himself he wouldn’t kiss her tonight, that they’d just talk and get to know each other better. But the way she looked at him, with an endearing yet modest expression, he couldn’t help himself. As his hand slid to the back of her head, he lowered his mouth to hers—and was soon lost.

*

Savanna let her eyes slide closed as she gave herself over to the taste of Gavin’s lips. They’d kissed before, and those kisses had all been good, but this one was filled with a fragile promise—the promise of something new and untried—and while that made succumbing to Gavin feel far more risky, it also made the contact more meaningful.

“I love that you’re different,” she told him when he lifted his head.

He smiled as he looked down at her. “In what way?”

She could tell he’d heard those words before but was curious to hear her specific take. “You’re so emotionally honest and unafraid. You’re willing to bare your heart and actually feel something regardless of the risk. I admire your courage.”

“It’s hard not to feel something for you.” He bent his head to kiss her again, but she stopped him.

“Except...I wasn’t exaggerating about what we’re up against, Gavin. Before you commit yourself to getting any more involved with me, maybe you should come in and hear the latest.”

He seemed concerned. So was she. Her world was threatening to fall apart again—and he’d shown up right in the middle of the latest crisis. “Something’s changed?”

She nodded. “And not for the better.”

Savanna had cleaned off the other chairs in her living room—everything was now unpacked—so there were plenty of places to sit. When Gavin took the couch, she perched on the edge of the chair across from him, too upset and nervous to sit back.

“What’s happened?” he asked.

“A couple of things. First, I heard from Gordon today.” She held up the letter she’d left on the coffee table, which she’d been reading and rereading when Gavin had rung her doorbell.

“What does he have to say?”

“I’ll let you read it, if you want, but it says that he’s shocked and heartbroken that I would be disloyal enough to believe he could rape those women. That he’s innocent and will soon be getting out, and then I’ll be sorry that I didn’t stand by him.” She let her breath go in a sigh. “That’s the gist of it.”