Page 47 of How to Resist Prince Charming

“I, uh,” Savannah said. “I guess you’re wondering what’s going on, huh?”

Lenna didn’t answer. She glanced toward the doorway, praying Braxton would re-enter the room any moment now.

“I was in a bad wreck about nine months ago,” Savannah said.

Lenna whirled back. “Ooh. I...I’m sorry to hear that.” She vaguely recalled her father mentioning that Spencer Farris’s daughter had been in an automobile accident. If she remembered correctly, the girl had even been in a coma for a couple of months, too.

“Anyway,” Savannah went on. “I’ve been pretty messed up since then. Sometimes, I think I’m this person named Clara.” She had to glance away when she added, “It’s called dissociative identity disorder.” Then she shrugged. “In other words, I have a split personality.”

Lenna’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, God.”

Her face flamed when she realized what kind of appalled expression she must’ve made. “I mean, I... I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

Savannah’s grin was quick. “Not a lot of people do. To tell the truth, I really don’t want it spread around. My family keeps it as quiet for me as possible.”

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She glanced down at her hands. “So, uh, if I was rude to you earlier, I’m really sorry. I wasn’t...well, I wasn’t me.”

She lifted big, blue eyes to Lenna, looking so miserable and apologetic, Lenna melted.

“You weren’t rude,” she assured.

“I wasn’t?” Savannah asked in surprise. Her shoulders slumped. “It’s just that when I’m Clara, I’m pretty bossy. At least, that’s what they tell me. I don’t actually remember...” Her words died off, and a haunted look entered her expression.

Lenna sympathized. She could only imagine how upsetting it’d be to forget half of the things she did. Life must be awful for Braxton’s sister. She wanted to say something to ease Savannah’s misery.

But Savannah beat her to the punch. Lifting her eyes, she pulled a smile to her lips. “So, how long have you and Brax been—”

“That was Dad,” Braxton interrupted, hurrying into the room. His eyes darted to Lenna before they settled on Savannah. “He and Mom have been looking everywhere for you. They’re just a couple of blocks away and will be here in a minute.”

“Oh, no,” Savannah gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. “Were they very worried?”

Braxton shrugged but couldn’t quite meet her gaze. “They’re okay.” He paused, clearly clueless as to what to say next. His eyes strayed toward Lenna; they begged her forgiveness and understanding.

“I told Lenna the truth,” Savannah said.

Whirling to face her, Braxton gaped. “You did?”

When Savannah nodded, his face tightened.

He cleared the expression off his features and managed a heart-rendering smile. “Thank you.”

“She said I wasn’t rude to her, but I don’t think I believe her.”

Braxton grinned. “Nah, you were too busy being rude to me.”

Savannah rolled her eyes. “I don’t have to be Clara to be rude to you.”

Their teasing worked to lighten the mood, and the two grinned at each other. Braxton glanced toward Lenna. They shared a smile too—his filled with relief; hers as supportive as she could make it. She wanted to go to him and just hold him.

“So, what did I do?” Savannah asked, interrupting Lenna and Braxton’s silent connection. “And why did I end up here?”

Braxton shrugged. “I don’t know. You said you needed to talk to me, and then you turned back into yourself.”

“Hmm.” Savannah sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “I wonder what I wanted to tell you.”

Before anyone could guess the answer, the front door burst open and two people spilled inside. One of them was Spencer Farris.

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