"And now he dares to tell me what to do!" Savannah was venting to Violet about her morning with Carson.
She was so upset by what he did that she could not think clearly. She did not like the idea of being unable to be friends with anyone she wanted due to his insecurities. They only slept together on rare occasions as they delved deeper into their friendship. That did not mean she could not pursue her relationship with Wyatt. The guy who's done nothing but be kind to either of them. The whole situation was ridiculous.
The events were also unusual, as she had not expected him to inquire about her side hobby. She also never imagined that he would be upset that she shared those details with Wyatt before him. However, the main reason she did not share with Carson was that much of what she wrote dealt with her feelings about him leaving. She was unable to rant and rave about it in public, so she went with paper instead. This should not have been an issue, but Carson has a habit of making everything an issue.
Violet listened patiently because the lunch rush had not started yet. They were idly chatting because Violet wanted to get to the bottom of it. She has never seen them argue like that. Hell, she had barely seen them disagree and this one got way out of hand. Friends-with-benefits could be risky, but Violet never expected things to get heated.
"Question, what are you guys doing?" Violet wondered. "Your relationship always seemed...like a lot."
Savannah sighed and leaned against the counter. "It is a lot. A lot that I don't even want to think about," she said, and then rage filled her once more. "I just don't understand why he has to make everything so complicated!"
Violet laughed. "That's men for you. Never want to commit but never want you with anyone else either."
"Is there any way I don't have to be attracted to men?" Savannah asked, but she was joking.
No matter what, she will always be drawn to Carson. She will always want to be with him because he was her first true love. The guy who took her heart without even trying. It took her some time to realize her feelings, but once she did, she did not want to let them go. He was everything to her, and more. He was her best friend.
That is why she is so upset that they have to argue. She did not want to look at his face right now because she was so angry. It did not help knowing that he would be starting at Sugar soon. Even if they fought, she would have to see his face, whether at home or work. Regardless of where she went, there was no break.
Violet shrugged but agreed with her sentiment. "Life would be so much easier if we were able to switch but that's not how that works." She smiled softly. "What made you guys argue in the first place?"
Savannah groaned. "He got mad because I told Wyatt I write poetry before telling him," she said. "It was the stupidest shit!"
Violet could not help but laugh. "Oh that boys got it bad," she cooed. "What type of spell did you cast on him?"
"Not funny, Vie," she replied. "I just don't understand the problem. I never do anything when he's losing himself over Maeve."
Violet scoffed. "Besides complain to me about it."
Savannah narrowed her eyes. "I'll just start going to Cole if that's how you feel about it," she joked.
Though she did not mean to complain. She also did not want Violet to believe she was only coming to her to express her feelings about Carson. Their friendship meant so much more than that. They both suffered a traumatic loss when the boys relocated. The last thing Savannah wanted to do was come across as insensitive to Violet's feelings as well.
Regardless of her relationship with Carson, they were about to embark on a fantastic getaway that Savannah desperately needed. She was initially concerned that traveling alone without Carson or Maeve would result in something she did not want to hear about. However, after this morning, it only felt right to create some space between them.
Things have not been the same since he returned home. They remained close friends, but the introduction of sex complicated their relationship. Savannah needed to reevaluate her position, and she was going to do so.
"Even after this morning, I'm shocked you're working a full 8 hours," Violet said as they prepared to take on the lunch rush.
Sweeping around, Savannah could not believe it either, but she needed the money. "I thought I would do at least one before heading into the weekend." She shrugged. "Just to have some extra money coming my way next week."
"You realize there will be nothing to pay for, right?" Violet looked at her. "Are you sure you want to come?"
Savannah nodded. "Yeah, why wouldn't I?" She let out a nervous giggle.
Violet pursed her lips and tried to be cautious with her words. "Well, with the tragedy and your mother's birthday approaching, I figured you might want to take it easy."
She understood where she was coming from, but she was not in the mood to relax. If she took it easy, she would continue to reflect on what had happened. It was bad enough that her mother's birthday was indeed approaching, but she did not want to think about it anymore. Keeping busy was the best way to put those feelings to the side. She did not know how to grieve, but she may not have needed to. Perhaps she was grieving by completely forgetting about it.
Still, just because sad events occurred did not mean she was going to put her life on hold. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, the world continued to move. Savannah, too, had to stay on the move. However, she wanted to do something special for her mother's birthday. Celebrate her in a way that is not sad. Maybe involve both sides of her family. She had no idea what it was, but she knew it was going to be something special.
"That's nonsense," Savannah spoke. "I'm still coming. I want to have fun, and I will celebrate my mother's birthday when the time comes."
Violet smiled and admired her friend's tenacity. "If you say so." She didn't want to push the issue. "We should so plan a birthday party for your mom though. That woman loved parties."
Savannah laughed. "That she did." She remembered her mother always throwing celebrations for any occasion. She loved being a hostess. "She'll be thrilled to know Cole and Carson were in attendance as well."
"Yes! I mean, I know we weren't her children but she sure did treat us like we were." Violet felt herself becoming emotional as well.
It was a sensitive subject, and if Savannah did not want to cry today, she would talk about it more. Instead, she kept her thoughts to herself to mentally prepare for the influx of customers that would soon arrive. Violet handled taking orders while Savannah prepared them. Violet was far superior to Savannah in terms of hospitality, so the system worked fairly well. Savannah, on the other hand, was considered one of Sugar's best coffee makers. Anyone can make coffee, but Savannah does it uniquely.
Working with Violet also made things much easier. They were always on the same page about everything, and the rushes went much more smoothly than if Savannah was with someone else. Libby was always slow, and Maeve would yell at every one if they took too long to choose something. With only them two in front, things were much calmer. Savannah would gladly work with her every day if she could, but Carson would now be thrown into the mix. Who knew how that would play out?
After two hits, the girls cleared the remaining people from the lunch rush before spending an hour cleaning up. This part was always the most relaxed but this only meant they were closer to going home. Closer to seeing Carson after their heated conversation. Perhaps she will be able to approach the situation calmly and discuss it. She did not need to start her already exciting weekend upset with him.
Of course, Maeve is perfectly capable of completely ruining the mood. She was not supposed to come into Sugar today, but here she is. Savannah was taken aback by her attitude, given that she had done nothing to hurt Maeve. Most of the words she was saying were simply Maeve projecting. Except for Violet and Cole, Savannah had not told anyone about her feelings for Carson. Was this a mistake?
"Okay, what did you do to him?" Maeve stormed into Sugar about ten minutes before closing time. She was furious, and her rage appeared to be directed toward Savannah.
Violet seemed perplexed as she looked between Maeve and Savannah. "What's your problem today Maeve?" She crossed her arms, uninterested in hearing about Maeve's situation. There was always something wrong with her.
Maeve paused in front of the register, a heavy glare on her face. "Why is Carson obsessed with you?" She wondered out of irritation. "You know how hard it's been for me to get him in bed?"
Savannah could not believe Maeve had come all this way just to argue with her about Carson. Someone she was not speaking to right now. Though it was satisfying to know that her attempts to sleep with him had been futile. Savannah is not sure how that was possible, but it made her feel better about leaving them alone. Perhaps Carson did have more self-control than she realized.
Savannah let out a sigh, rolling her eyes. "And that's my problem how?" Maeve's point was lost on her.
"You must be sleeping with him," Maeve concluded. "There's no other explanation."
"Are you aware that we have been friends for a long time?" Savannah asked.
Maeve smiled tightly. "So I heard, Savannah. So I heard." Her tone was agitated, making it difficult to hide. "There's no way you're just friends though. Not the way he gets so worked up."
Savannah did not like how she was interpreting the situation so clearly. Of course, she and Carson were more than just friends. They did not say it explicitly, but anyone with eyes could tell their relationship was more than just surface-level. It did not help that Maeve was gradually putting the pieces together. If she knew Savannah had even a slither of feelings for Carson, she was going to try a lot harder to win him over.
Violet recognized this and immediately intervened. "Maeve, you're being ridiculous," she said. "Why don't you just face the music? Not everyone wants to sleep with you." It was a difficult truth to accept for such a beautiful girl, but that is reality.
However, Maeve was not having it. Her entire life, she was accustomed to getting everything she desired at the drop of a hat. No guy ever dared to turn her down because they would never get another chance. Normally, that would be acceptable in Maeve's world, but Carson was different. Carson is unique. She had to have him in any way she could.
"Oh, he's going to sleep with me," Maeve insisted. "Just as long as you stay out of the way!"
Savannah shrugged. "You're acting crazy Maeve. We're supposed to be friends." Savannah struggled to understand Maeve's actions. She had a habit of doing this before, but she was taking it to a new level now.
Maeve smiled. "We are friends, Savannah." She was telling the truth. "But...I just need to have him. You don't understand."
Savannah did not understand. How could she claim they were friends one minute and then essentially threaten her the next? It did not make much sense, and as much as Savannah valued their friendship, she did not want to be around someone who was constantly trying to step on her. Savannah did not want those kinds of friends in her circle. However, Maeve was as unpredictable as they come.