13. Savannah

13

SAVANNAH

I squeeze my brother; it feels so good to see him, and kind of freeing that he knows about Graham and me. It's not exactly the way I’d have liked him to find out, but at least he didn’t show up while we were in a compromising position. That thought reminds me I need to ask Graham who else has the code to his house and could just waltz inside.

“Good to see you again, kid,” Lucas says before letting me go. I give him a quick glare as I step out of his embrace.

“Not a kid anymore, unless you’re okay with me calling you old man?” I ask.

“You’ll always be a little kid in my eyes,” he grumbles.

“Whatever.” I roll my eyes at him and walk back to the kitchen with Lucas hot on my heels.

“I’m so happy for the two of you,” Carly squeals when she sees me. She runs over and engulfs me in a hug, almost knocking us both over in the process, which sends us down in a fit of laughter.

“Thank you. It's new, so we’re just enjoying the honeymoon stage of our relationship,” I say once I’ve stopped laughing and gotten back up. “Are y’all hungry?”

“I’m starving, especially if you’re cooking,” Lucas says.

I go back to the stove and work on making two extra plates of food so we can all sit and eat together.

Lucas and Carly were able to get her parents to watch the kids while they escaped for the week for a little getaway. I found out that Graham knew that Lucas was going to plan this little getaway, but apparently, my dumbass brother forgot to let him know that it was finalized and when they were coming.

With everyone fed, I clean up the kitchen and make a list of groceries we need, since I only ordered the ones I needed to make breakfast this morning.

“Did you ever order stuff for Simon to keep at my place?” Graham asks as he watches me hang up my clothes. After breakfast and cleaning the kitchen, we left to run some errands and to come to my place so I could get a few things done, like laundry. We made dinner reservations to meet up with Carly and Lucas later tonight.

“I did. I think everything was being delivered today, so maybe perfect timing,” I tell him as I hang up the last few items.

“Good. I think he likes me.” I look over, and Simon is curled up next to Graham.

“Aw, how cute.” I grab my cell and snap a picture of them both looking adorable together on my bed.

“Are you done?” Graham asks, nodding toward the laundry basket.

“I am, at least with that chore. I need to pack my overnight bag now.”

“I like the sound of that.” He smiles over at me. I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that I’m in a real-life relationship with Graham Webber, of all people.

“What is the dress code for the restaurant tonight?” I ask as I look at my closet full of clothes.

“Uh, I don’t think they have an official dress code, but I guess something date-night chic.”

I lean back and turn my head to look at Graham. “Did you just say chic ?”

He laughs. “Yeah, why?”

“Just not a word I’d expect to hear coming from your lips.”

“Why?” He quirks a brow. “Because I’m covered in tattoos and a bad-ass hockey player?”

“Yep.” I nod my head in agreement. “You aren’t really a chic kind of guy.”

“Oh, baby, I can be chic. Have you looked at the closet full of suits I own?”

“Actually, I haven’t. I’ve only seen the ones you’ve worn.”

“I might have a thing or two for a custom suit.”

“That’s why they look so good on you,” I muse.

“That might have something to do with it.” He winks at me.

I go back to scouring my closet, trying to decide on what to wear. I’m a schoolteacher who usually spends her time either in her classroom or sitting on my couch reading a book. I don’t have chic going-out clothes.

“What’s wrong?” Graham asks as he slides behind me. He sweeps the hair off my neck and drops a kiss to my exposed skin.

“I don’t have anything ‘date-night chic’,” I say, using air quotes as I repeat his words.

“Then let’s go shopping.”

“That sounds very Pretty Woman -ish.”

“Except you aren’t a high-priced hooker.”

“No, no, I’m not.” I chuckle.

I turn in his arms and wrap my own around his neck. He’s a good eight inches taller than me, so I have to look up at him. “Where are you taking me shopping?”

“Wherever you want to go. The mall would probably be a good place to start. It would give us lots of options.”

“Okay, let me pack everything else I might need, and then we can go. Can we run Simon over to your house first?”

“Of course.” He leans down and kisses me. When he pulls away, he leaves me wanting so much more from that one kiss.

“I’ve hung everything up for you in room two whenever you are ready to start trying things on,” the saleslady tells me as I browse another clothing rack.

“Thank you.” I smile at her.

I don’t see anything else I want to take with me from this rack, so I head toward the dressing rooms.

“You can sit right there; I’ll be out in just a few minutes.”

“I don’t get to come in and help you change?” Graham asks with a smirk on his face.

“No,” I answer, shaking my head as I disappear into the changing room.

“No fair.” Graham pouts from where I left him.

I sort the items the saleslady hung up in here for me and pick a little black dress to start with. I slip it over my body and attempt to get it zipped up, but fail due to not being able to reach it.

I crack the door open and stick my head out. “I need your help,” I tell Graham. He stands from the chair where he’s waiting for me and closes the distance. He spins his finger in a circle, motioning for me to turn around, so I do, turning my back to him.

Shivers run down my spine as he traces it with his fingertips until he reaches the zipper pull, which he pulls up slowly as he zips me into the dress. Once he reaches the top, he spins me to face him. I don’t miss how his eyes are hooded as he takes in my curves and the way the dress cups my breasts.

“Fuuuuck,” he whispers, drawing the word out as he stands back and takes me fully in. “That dress was made for you.”

“You think so?” I ask, looking down at myself.

“Yep, and it will look even better on my floor.” He winks.

“Graham,” I whisper-hiss his name. “Not so loud.”

He looks from side to side, and all around us. “There isn’t anyone within hearing distance.”

“Not the point.” I try to keep up my fake annoyance.

“Do you like the dress?” he asks. I step farther out into the little hall area and in front of the large mirror. I turn from side to side, getting a good look at myself from every angle I can possibly get. He’s right, the dress does look good on my body. It hugs me in all the right places, showing off my figure.

“I do. I actually love it. Which surprises me as I don’t usually like dresses like this on me.”

“Then put that in the yes pile. What are you trying on next?” he asks.

“Um, I’m not sure, but can you unzip me so I can go back in?”

He waits for me to step partway into the dressing room before unzipping me. “I think you should let me stay in here with you. I can be very helpful.”

“I’m sure you can be, but I’m not making out with you or having sex in a changing room,” I tell him. “Sorry not sorry.”

He sticks his bottom lip out as if he’s a baby and about to cry. “Fine,” he says before stepping back so I can close the door.

I try on everything else I had picked out, with a few things going directly into the no pile. I ended up with the little black dress, two nicer tops, and a pair of dress pants.

We head out of the store, hand in hand, while Graham carries the bag from the first store. “Where to next?” he asks.

“I probably should go look at some shoes, especially ones to go with the dress.”

We head for Nordstrom and to the shoe department. I don’t usually shop here as it is well out of my budget, but Graham is leading the way and treating me to a shopping day.

I find the perfect pair of heels. They’re not too high that I’ll break an ankle, but give me a little lift. I love the wavy strap that wraps around my foot, helping to secure it and keep the heels from falling off while walking in them. I also find a pair of Mary Jane-style flats that would be suitable to wear to school on a daily basis, but when I look at the price tag, I know they are out of my budget.

“Why aren’t you getting both pairs of shoes?” Graham asks as I start to put the flats in the no pile.

“They are out of my budget for now,” I tell him.

“But they are in my budget, and I’m the one paying today.”

“I can’t ask you to buy things I need for work,” I try to protest.

“You aren’t asking.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “I’m offering, and I say to get them. This wasn’t a trip just for date-night clothes. This is a ‘I’m spoiling my girlfriend’ trip and will buy her anything she wants or needs today.”

“Are you sure?” I ask for reassurance.

“I’m here, aren’t I? If you really want to thank me, you can take me into the dressing room at the lingerie store.”

“Can I now?” I smirk at him.

He quickly nods in agreement, and the smile that fills his face has my will cracking.

“We’ll see,” I say as the sales associate approaches us to see if we need any more help. We collect the two boxes of shoes for me and the one for Graham and get checked out.

“Are you hungry?” Graham asks as we walk through the mall. The smells from the food court fill the air and cause my stomach to growl.

“I am. Should we grab something small? I don’t want to spoil our dinner in a few hours.”

“Good call. What do you feel like?”

I scan the options available. “Maybe just a slice of pizza.” I point at the pizza place that sells it by the slice.

“Where do you get your suits made?” I ask Graham as we sit at a table in the food court, eating our pizza.

“A little shop not far from my house. I order a few new ones every couple of years or so. It just kind of depends on my mood.”

“Sounds expensive.”

“Probably not as much as you might think. Obviously more expensive than walking into any one of these stores and buying one off the hanger. The type of material plays a big part into the cost, as well.”

“That makes perfect sense.”

“I usually go for the nicer materials that stand up to constant wear. With having to be in a suit so often, I need ones that will last.”

“Do you have a favorite suit?”

“As strange as it sounds, I do.”

“Not strange at all. I have my favorite clothing items. A favorite bra, sweats, sweatshirt… you get the idea.”

“Never really gave it much thought, but I guess I do have favorites.”

We finish our food, then head back out to walk the halls until we come across a store we want to look in.