Page 32 of The Bet
Annoyed more than disappointed, he sat down and casually asked Savannah what Izzy was short for.
“Isabel Laronde. She prefers Izzy.”
“She’s the new babysitter?”
“I’m not sure yet,” Savannah replied. “She’s still deciding. She’s a student at Columbia, and she isn’t sure she’ll have the time.”
A college student.
Interesting.
“She’s a couple of years older. She saved up to come here.”
Very interesting.
“She helped me out, and I will never be able to repay her.” Savannah’s voice turned quiet, and she cleared her throat. “I’d like to help her out by giving her some work.”
“Jacob seems to be fond of her.”
“He trusts her, and I feel comfortable knowing she’s around.”
The silence that followed had him wondering all sorts of things. “It’s been an amazing day,” he said, changing the subject.
“It’s been the best.”
He yawned and stretched his arms out. The 16 hour time difference between New York and Fiji, and the long journey time had wreaked havoc with his body clock. Excessive alcohol hadn’t helped.
“Bored?” Tobias tapped him gently on the side of his head as he walked past and sat down beside Savannah.
“No,” he replied, defensively. “Just tired.”
“Leave him alone,” Savannah said, softly.
“Ihaveleft him alone.” Tobias looked at him. “I haven’t said anything about him forgetting the ring, have I?”
Xavier shifted in his chair. “Can’t you let that go? It’s beginning to get old, your joke.”
Tobias ignored him and took Savannah’s hand in a gesture that was so sickeningly romantic, it made him want to puke. “He’s my brother,” he said to Savannah, “and kid brothers are known for being pains in the butt at times.”
“Thanks,” said Xavier.
“Ignore him,” said Savannah.
“Are you okay about Jacob?” Tobias asked her.
“What’s the matter with Jacob?” Xavier wanted to know.
“Nothing,” Tobias replied. “Savannah’s worried about him going back tomorrow.”
“He’s going back?” Xavier hadn’t considered that Jacob would be returning tomorrow along with most of the guests. If Jacob was returning to New York, so would Izzy. This was good news.
“We can get him to stay here, if you want.” Tobias squeezed Savannah’s hand. “It’s up to you.”
“No. He’ll be fine, I know the problem isn’t going to be with Jacob. It’s me.”
Xavier sat back in his chair, watching Tobias place a kiss on his wife’s lips, and tell her, tenderly, that it would be fine, that she wouldn’t have much time to worry about Jacob, that they were going to have a fabulous honeymoon.
Xavier’s gaze flickered upward, and he looked away. He felt like he was watching a Hallmark movie, seeing these two gushy lovers. It was time to make his escape.
