ot an aristocrat. In fact, she’s American.”
He whistles then, low and long. “No wonder you’re being sketchy. Dad’s going to have a fit.”
“Dad’s the last thing I’m worried about. He doesn’t get a vote.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“It’s Savannah, Garrett.”
His face goes blank. “What?”
“I’m in love with Savvy. I didn’t mean for it to happen—”
“Wait a minute? Savvy? You’re in love with my Savvy?”
My teeth snap together at the proprietary way he says it. “No. I’m in love with my Savvy.”
“When did that happen? How did that happen?”
“She was working a gala I was at a few weeks ago. She saved me from Madame Aguillard and…it just kind of happened.”
“But how did it happen?” He looks more bewildered than angry, but I’m not sure that’s a good thing…
“How could it not? She’s great. Smart, funny, gorgeous…is it really such a surprise I fell for her?”
“It’s a surprise you fell for her knowing she’d once been mine.”
“I didn’t know. Not at first.”
“She didn’t tell you? That doesn’t sound like her—she used to be straightforward to a fault.”
I laugh. “Oh, she still is. I found out before she could tell me, but by then it was too late. I was already hooked.”
Garrett leans forward, runs his good hand through this hair. “I’ve got to tell you, I wasn’t expecting this.”
“I know. And I’d apologize, but I’m not sorry, so…”
“Yeah, I get that. You’re practically glowing like a virgin on her first date.”
“Fuck you.”
“So, what does this mean? You’re serious about her?”
I nod. “As serious as it gets.”
“Wow.” He takes a deep breath, blows it out slowly. “Okay, then. I guess I should say congratulations?”
Relief sweeps through me. “You mean you’re okay with it?”
“Okay might be a stretch, but I’m working on it.”
“That’s fair.”
“I think so, yeah.”
We sit in silence for a couple of minutes, just thinking. Then Garrett asks, “So where is she? How come I haven’t seen her around if you’re that serious about her?”
“Yeah.” It’s my turn to blow out a long breath. “About that. She…left.”