An hour had passed by as the repast came to a stop. Talking with Savannah's family was a lot of fun for Carson. The extent to which they remembered him astounds him. They were best friends, and Savannah hardly recognized him. The last time Carson was this gregarious, he can not recall. Being free from spending his days cooped up in a room felt good to him.
Now that only five of them remained, they strolled around tidying the compact area. Not that it was necessary, but they were just going around picking up trash. After so many people had gathered here, it did not feel right to abandon the area in disarray. Violet overcooked, so there was an abundance of food left over. They will most likely have leftovers for days even though a sizable portion was consumed.
Carson happened to glance up as he was clearing a table full of plates and noticed Savannah standing across from him. Her dark, voluminous hair fell down her back and ended at the very tip of her pelvis. Carson was almost certain it was longer than when he left her. Subsequently, her exquisite brown skin shimmered most exquisitely. Carson was tempted to see more because he could see every curve of her body from the little black dress she was wearing. Even though he knew she was his friend, he could not help but find her attractive.
Savannah looks up at him, smiles, and then looks away. Carson could tell she was nervous by his presence. Although he is aware that he has been gone for a while, she has become much more restless than she did years ago. Was it because so much time had passed since their last conversation? Perhaps she was unsure of how to look at him because of the change in his appearance. Carson was prepared to shave his facial hair if that was the source of her irritation. His efforts to keep it up were excessive, but it will be worthwhile to ensure Savannah's comfort.
Thinking back on today's events, he smirks to himself. He laughs, "Do you remember when you tried to teach me Spanish?"
Though she had forgotten about the amusing memory, Savannah laughed harder than she had expected. Carson was never good at learning languages, but he would try. In any case, his only motivation for learning was to win over her family. Being among them so much made it seem natural for him to pick up their language. If he had not been so fixated on Savannah, perhaps it would have been.
In an attempt to regain her composure, she shakes her head. "There was nothing you could do right," she teasingly said. "Even saying no hablo español would make you sound foolish."
"Ever since I came back, you have been hurting my ego," Carson laughs.
As she approaches the trash, Savannah smiles. "What can I say, I prefer to keep you modest." She gave a wink.
That one gesture sent Carson's inside ablaze. What was wrong with him was beyond his comprehension. He would never have felt this way when she did that in the past. He had to reconsider everything after the way his body shut down. He initially believed he was just aroused. Even though he had not had sex in a long time, this feeling went beyond simple desire.
Carson feels like a fool and instantly chases those ideas from his mind. Savannah was his closest companion. A girl he looked up to for the small things in life. Furthermore, Carson was not the kind of person who desired a committed partnership. Breaking her heart by making her think that was the last thing he wanted to do. That will just make him feel worse.
Rather, he pays attention to Violet as she speaks up. Even though he wished they could have spent more time alone talking, Violet made the wise decision to change the subject given the way his mind was working.
"Hey Sav," exclaims the girl with raven hair. "Remember Wyatt?" She asks.
Carson observes as Savannah's brows furrow in perplexity. Because Carson can recall seeing him at several parties on Manhattan's Upper West Side, he is certain of his identity. Wyatt would frequently be in that area because, of course, he lived there. Savannah did not know who he was since she consistently refused their invitations to parties.
"Wyatt, who?" Savannah queries.
Violet cast a sidelong glance. "Wyatt Jones!" She shouts.
"Oh, you mean the cutie with the dark hair." Maeve puts her nose in it. "Yeah, he's hot."
Cole laughs. "I can't believe you haven't met him yet," he speaks to Savannah. "Carson, you remember him?"
Boy did he. Since Carson was not particularly close to Wyatt Jones, this was an intriguing case. Carson struggled to establish any kind of connection with him because he did not say much. Nothing about him was particularly noteworthy. He had a respectable appearance, but that was all. Carson thought that his sweet exterior belied his bland personality. It was like staring at a wall of paint dry. When would it ever become captivating?
Carson would still keep his thoughts to himself so as not to cause a rift. There were no good reasons for him to dislike him. He would come across as a douche no matter what he said. It was the last thing he wanted to do in front of Savannah. He still had feelings of wanting to impress her. He would make sure to use extra caution when speaking.
Carson nods, unsure of the purpose behind bringing up his name. "Yes, but Vie, why did you bring him up?" He wondered.
As she gathers the last of the trash, a smile appears on her face. She quips, "Because our dear Savannah needs to go on a date."
Savannah gives her an insane look. "Oh, no, no, no. She says, "I am not interested in dating right now.
Carson could not tell for sure if she was telling the truth or not. Savannah had been discussing having a companion for as long as he could remember. In the small space of his room, she would spend hours explaining her ideal first relationship. He did not have the best memories of those times, but he always remembered the kind of person she was drawn to. Observing that there was nothing in her words that resembled him.
"Savannah, you have always wanted a boyfriend—what changed?" Carson felt compelled to inquire.
Her fear of being questioned further made her stifle in her spot. "There is not a place for another person in my life," she excused herself.
Carson sneered. He did not hesitate to confront her, saying, "Sounds like horse shit to me."
Cole gave him a sharp look. "Carson!" He bellows.
"What?" He asks. "I'm just saying. I know she is bullshitting because of the extended periods she would spend in my room babbling about her ideal man."
Savannah scowls. She says with a bitter tone, "A person can change a lot in six years."
Carson glanced at Savannah, pain flashing in his eyes as he tried to figure out why she was acting so hostile. Given how much time had passed, she spoke as though she had attempted to contact him. Other than sharing what he knew, he did not think he did anything wrong. Perhaps her viewpoint did shift, but how was Carson meant to know? He reasoned that he was giving the others information they might not have known.
Savannah would not catch his eyes focusing on the ground beneath her. An agitated expression filled her face. She objected to being paired up on a blind date with anyone. She was skeptical of this Wyatt guy and her mind was not in the right place for dating. Perhaps knowing him was a good thing, but Savannah will not go past that. She wanted to express her feelings to Carson and avoid becoming engrossed in someone else.
The air was timid. Carson was at a loss for words, and the others were too shocked to react when Savannah made her subtle call out. He would have apologized if he had to, but he thought she was exaggerating. Savannah has a history of acting erratically toward him when she is upset. She does not put much thought into anything she does. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and occasionally that causes her to disregard reason. Knowing this, Carson made an effort to ignore her words.
Still, Violet was not giving up and was committed to working with Wyatt to make this happen. "You still have a couple of days off work," she voiced her displeasure. "Why not relish it?"
Savannah rolled her eyes. "Because my folks recently passed away. I think some solitude is warranted."
"I am sure your parents will be happy that you went out for a fun night," Maeve remarks. "Which guy did you last date? Moe something?"
"Moe Fletcher," moaned Savannah. His qualities as a guy were lacking.
Carson was intrigued by that and wanted to learn more about this Moe guy. Where did she come across him? How much time did they spend together? Did this guy hold the same significance in her life as Carson did? It unnerved him to think of her with anyone but him. He covered his feelings with humor and tried not to let it show on his face. It was his only means of subsistence.
"Oh, baby had a date," he quips. "How terrible was he?"
"The worst," remarks Violet. "The man could not go even a second without a mirror."
Cole chuckles. "Ah, he was a pretty boy," Cole assumed.
"With an enormous penis," swoons Maeve.
Carson chuckled, making Maeve smile. Something was intriguing and captivating about that girl that piqued his interest. It wasn't in the way that Savannah caught his attention though. Still, he knew he could enjoy himself with her based on the sensual expression in her eyes and those bouncy breasts. The procedures to follow appeared quite intricate. That is still his best friend's pal. Would he be going over some strange line that he was unaware of?
Putting dirty thoughts aside, Savannah refused to go on this date. Instead, offering another option.
"I'm not going on a date, but invite him out and I'll come with," she suggests. "Everyone needs to come."
Excitement lights up Maeve's face. "We ought to visit that brand-new bar downtown!" She shouts.
"How much time do you guys have here?" Savannah inquired of the two twins.
They exchanged a look, not expecting to have to discuss their plans so quickly. Even after just one day, their return felt better than anything they had experienced in Arizona. The familiarity left Carson nostalgic wanting to explore everything they missed since being gone. They were certain that their friends would adore the idea because this was their home.
But they were not exactly prepared with a backup plan. Tragic events prompted this impulsive decision. Lack of a place to live and employment remained an issue. After using the hotel for a week, what would they do next? New York was a great place to live, but the cost of living there was ridiculous.
Carson scratched the back of his head, unsure of how to begin this conversation. Cole excelled in this department because he was always excellent at breaking the ice. Carson would play the part of the guy who nods in agreement. He was not sure how Savannah would react to him moving back after her remarks. She seemed irritated enough that he did not call.
Cole declares, "Guys, we have decided to move back here."
The girls stared at them in shock, unable to speak. Although Carson found the news shocking, he did not anticipate that it would cause them to become silent. Especially Savannah appeared so taken aback. She approached Carson and asked him to vouch for what Cole had just said. Her eyes begged him to confirm the truth for her. She never imagined it would come to pass, but for years that was all she ever wanted.
Carson looks into her eyes and swallows. Her gaze was so intense that he didn't know if he'd be able to hold it. He did not think he needed to confirm Cole's assertions because they were accurate. Even so, he could understand Savannah's desire for him to inform her first. Given their closeness, she probably did not want to raise her expectations unnecessarily.
"I-I assumed you were only here for the funeral," Savannah's tone falters.
Thinking he ought to be honest, Carson sighed. "At first, Cole was the only one moving back," he acknowledges. "But then I realized that I was missing you so much that I had to come back too."
"Therefore, that implies..." Violet rambles on, probing for a response.
Glad to inform them that he is back home, Carson smiles. "I'm officially moving back." Excitement rises in his voice.
He felt Savannah put her arms around him before he realized what was going on. He needs a moment to comprehend the situation before he can fully embrace her. He rests his head on hers and is comforted by the scent of her lilac hair. Anxious to hold her close, a warm feeling fills his chest. She responded in a way that thrilled him. Had he been able, he would have returned sooner.
Squeezing her tight, Savannah does the same before pulling back. "I am so happy to hear that, you have no idea."
He smiles and slides his hand under her chin. "Hopefully, you are prepared to be irritated every day going forward," he croons.
He gets the best feeling in the world when he looks at her happy face. He would be present if she required him to be at her impromptu date.