How her sister could believe such a thing after what happened with their parents was anyone’s guess.
Savannah shook her head and turned back to the mirror. “He’s going to be too busy training to have me trailing along after him. Besides, I’ve got to go to Nashville and find an apartment soon. Our plans were in place long before we met.”
“But that was before you fell in love,” Sammie argued.
Her image blurred as Savannah’s eyes misted with tears. That was true. She had made her plans for her future before she knew she would love Zach forever. But he had never said he loved her. The hot looks and heart-stopping kisses they’d shared might mean nothing to him. They hadn’t even gone all the way. They’d gotten close several times but Zach was the one holding back. Maybe that was why they hadn’t had sex: he didn’t love her and just didn’t want her that way.
A derisive snort had her turning around again. Savannah recognized that sound. It was one of Bri’s favorite ways to express her disgust.
“What?” Savannah asked.
“Why wait to see if he’s going to ask you to go with him? Tell him you’re coming with him and that’s that.”
Bri could do that. If she didn’t like something, she either fought like the dickens to get it changed or she pretended she didn’t care.
Not for the first time, Savannah wished she could be a combination of both her sisters. Sammie was optimistic and cheerful, believing all things worked out, no matter what. Bri was a rebel and a fighter. When Savannah compared herself to her sisters, she always came up short. She was the cautious, practical one. Always weighing all of her options and overthinking everything. Maybe if she were more optimistic like Sammie or forceful like Bri, things would be different.
This wasn’t the end. Even though she and Zach were headed in different directions, they had promised to call and email each other daily. When Zach got his first leave, he would come to Nashville to see her. This wasn’t the end … it wasn’t.
Knowing they were eyeing her anxiously, she pasted on a brave smile. “Millions of couples have long-distance relationships. There’s no reason we can’t.”
She pretended she didn’t see the doubtful look they shot each other. She had plenty of doubts herself without adding to them. Her trust issues weren’t Zach’s fault. Other than her grandfather, her sisters, and Aunt Gibby, she had trusted almost no one since that awful summer’s night when her parents died. Until Zach. But she was aware her trust wasn’t unconditional and was somewhat tenuous. She still wasn’t sure of him or his feelings for her.
Pushing aside her worries for the time being, she whirled around. “How do I look?”
“Beautiful,” Sammie answered.
“Your hair looks great, too,” Bri said. “I’m glad you finally started wearing it loose like that.”
Savannah self-consciously touched the unrestrained locks. Though she liked to keep her hair long, she’d always felt self-conscious about its wildness. Not calling attention to herself meant dressing as conservatively as possible, including the way she wore her hair. Long and golden with a natural curl that often had a mind of its own, her hair definitely drew looks. Subduing it with a barrette or ponytail had been her habit. That had changed the first time Zach had seen her hair loose. She’d been running late for their date and hadn’t had time to secure it. When his eyes lit up and he’d remarked how pretty it was, she’d worn it unbound from then on.
Her fingers smoothed down the short peach sundress. “What about this dress … you don’t think it’s too revealing?”
“Absolutely not,” Sammie said.
Frowning, Bri stood in front of her. “Why are you so nervous?” She gasped and added, “You’re going to have sex tonight.”
“What?” both Savannah and Sammie shrieked.
“Where on earth did you get that idea?” She was already nervous but Bri’s question had sent her nerves zooming into panic mode. With this being their last night together for a long while, would Zach have those kinds of expectations? Did she?
“You just seemed so nervous, I thought that might be the reason.” Bri shrugged and added, “Besides, it’s about time one of us did it so we could talk about it.”
A snort and roll of her eyes was Sammie’s response. Savannah didn’t answer, her mind still on the thought. She loved Zach. And despite the uncertainty of the future, she knew he cared deeply for her. Was it time to