The Better Man Read online

  “Savvy!” Miller shouted as Savannah dropped her bags, bent her knees, and opened her arms for the almost two-year-old.

  The moment her goddaughter reached her, Savannah wrapped her arms around Miller. She had fallen in love with her the moment Alex told her she was pregnant and then showed her the ultrasound photo. There was no doubt in her mind that Evan would want his daughter when he found out about her, and Savannah continued to fulfill her promise to always be there for their daughter.

  Savannah kissed the top of Miller’s head as the toddler pulled back and smiled. Those green eyes gleamed up at her. Miller might have Alex’s green eyes, but there was no doubt she had Evan’s smile. Savannah had seen that smile so often in college whenever Evan visited Duke to see his then-girlfriend who would later become his wife.

  “How are you, Miller?”

  “I’m good.”

  Savannah smiled as she picked up the sparkly pink gift bag and handed it to her goddaughter. “I got you a present.”

  Miller’s eyes glimmered as she held the handles in her small hands. She didn’t reach into the bag. Instead, she turned and held it up for her father. “Daddy.”

  “Hey, Sav,” Evan said once he reached them and crouched down next to his daughter.

  “Hey, Evan.”

  He faced his daughter. “What do you have there, Miller?”

  “Savvy got it for me,” Miller answered.

  “That’s nice,” Evan said as he stood and picked up Savannah’s bag. “Did you say thank you?”

  Miller twirled around. “Thank you, Savvy.”

  God, she loved her goddaughter.

  “You’re very welcome.”

  Savannah smiled as she stood. She used to fight Evan whenever he grabbed her bags, but she came to accept his chivalry. In fact, it was swoon worthy. He had come a long way since she had first heard of him from Alex when they were freshmen. Savannah had always believed Alex leaving him to attend Duke instead of Stanford was what Evan needed to realize he was also in love with his best friend. And now, years later, they were married and had a beautiful daughter. Miller held out her hand to her, and Savannah gently grasped it as Evan led them up the steps and into their home.

  “How was the drive?” he asked as he closed the door.

  The drive.

  What was she supposed to say?

  She couldn’t tell him that she kept thinking about Walter Vidović leaving the Bucks. She had kept her love for the NBA star a secret for so long. And if anyone was going to find out first, it wouldn’t be her best friend’s husband.

  So she lied. “Uneventful.” Then she glanced down at Miller, who was staring at her present. “And how has your morning been, pretty girl?”

  “Daddy made pancakes, and he read to me,” Miller said as she let Savannah’s hand go.

  “And what did Daddy read to you?”

  Miller lifted those stinkin’ cute green eyes and smiled. “Turtles!”

  Savannah raised a brow. “Turtles?” She looked over at Evan in a panic at this revelation. “Does she not like space anymore? I got her something stars related.”

  He laughed as he set Savannah’s bag down by the hallway table, walked over to his daughter, and scooped her up. The toddler giggled as she held her gift tightly. “She still loves space. My boss went to the zoo, and he got her a new book about Clover the turtle since we’re waiting until AJ is home to see Clover. You love Clover, don’t you, Miller?”

  “I do, Daddy.”

  Evan kissed Miller’s cheek. “Miller, why don’t you take Auntie Sav to your bedroom and show her your new book while I get her something to drink?”

  “Okay,” she said as her father set her back down. Miller held out her hand. “Savvy, let’s go to my room.”

  Savannah laughed as Miller walked her to the stairs. There were gates at the bottom and top to stop her from going up and down the stairs without her parents. Savannah unlocked the gate and walked up the stairs until they reached the top gate. Once she unlatched it, Miller led her to her room. Savannah opened the door and was greeted by the brightly lit room. The sun reflected through the stained glass windows and filled the room with different colors. On the wall were glass panels with elements of important moments in Miller’s life.

  From the date Evan found out about her to the date she was born.

  It was so incredible to see.

  And on her dresser were pictures of her and her family. Savannah walked over to it as Miller released her hand and went to her small bookcase. On the dresser was a picture of Miller and Savannah together after Miller’s birth. Smiling, Savannah turned to find Miller picking up her new book, so she made her way to the window seat and sat down. The toddler set her gift bag on the floor and climbed the seat to sit next to Savannah. Then she handed her the book, and Savannah smiled at the cartoon turtle on the cover.

  “Do you want me to read Clover to you?” Miller nodded excitedly. Laughing, Savannah set the book on the seat cushion and reached over and picked up the bag. Then she set it on Miller’s lap. “Why don’t we open your present first, and then I can read to you?”

  “Okay.” Miller dug her hands into the bag and pulled out the tissue paper. She handed it to Savannah, who set it on the seat. Then the toddler pulled out one part of her present. She looked at it with furrowed brows before she lifted her chin to look at Savannah.

  Grinning, she took the present from Miller and removed it from the box. It wouldn’t work very well with all the light in the room. “I got you stars,” Savannah said.

  “Stars?”

  She nodded as she flicked the switch, and the subtle lights were just visible on the ceiling. Savannah pointed at the stars for Miller. She glanced down to see her goddaughter’s eyes widen. “Your mommy and daddy will show you all the constellations with these lights. See all the stars?”

  “Yes.”

  The wonder in her eyes was so beautiful.

  “You’ll be able to see all the stars when you go to sleep. And when you flick a switch, you’ll be able to see all the planets, the moon, and the sun.” Savannah grabbed the bag, took out the book, then set the bag on the floor. “And with this book, you’ll be able to read all about the stars. All the small ones and all the big ones.”

  Miller looked at the book and then at the ceiling. Her eyes were so big, causing the warmth in Savannah’s chest to take hold. A knock on the door had Savannah craning her neck to find Evan at the door. He was looking up at the ceiling with a smile spread across his face.

  Next to her, Miller said, “Daddy, look! Savvy got me stars!” before she jumped off the window seat and ran to her father. Evan kneeled as he watched his daughter show him the book.

  Savannah took in the way Evan gave his daughter his full attention. The way he was completely devoted to his daughter was beautiful and loving. Standing up, Savannah pulled her phone from her back pocket and took their picture before she sent it to Alex.

  Savannah: [Image]

  Savannah: She loves her present. She’s showing Evan the book.

  Alex: Oh, my God. That picture is so beautiful. Thank you for sending it to me. I hate that I’m missing all of this.

  Savannah: They miss you.

  Alex: I miss them both so much. I’ll video chat with you all later. I got called back to Oxford for a meeting. Have a great weekend. Love you, Sav.

  Savannah: Love you, too, Alex.

  “Savvy,” Miller said, getting her attention.

  Savannah returned her phone to her pocket to find the toddler holding a plastic cup. She saw the drink fizzle with the ice inside. “Is that for me?”

  Miller nodded. “Yes.”

  Taking the cup from Miller, she smiled at her best friend’s husband. “Thank you, Evan.”

  “No, thank you for Miller’s present. She loves it. I’m just going to be downstairs if you need me. I didn’t get a chance to make up your bed this morning after we were on the phone with AJ—”

  “No, I can do it,” Savannah objected
with a smile at Evan’s childhood nickname for his wife.

  Evan laughed. “You’re our guest, Sav. Miller, take care of Auntie Sav, okay? Daddy is going to be downstairs.”

  “Yes, Daddy.”

  When Evan left the room and closed the door, they returned to the window seat. Savannah set her beverage out of their way on the floor. After Miller went back to grab her book and sit with her, Savannah took the book from her and opened it. “Do you want to learn about the stars, Miller?”

  The little girl smiled as she flipped the page, and said, “Yes, so I can show Mummy.”

  After Savannah taught Miller some of the constellations that she knew she could see in Boston, they read Clover the turtle’s book, then played with her Einstein and Harvey the Harvard dog toys before they went downstairs. Evan made them sandwiches for lunch, and then they watched some TV before he carried his daughter to her room for a nap. Savannah had straightened up Miller’s toys before Evan returned to the living room.

  “Sav, you didn’t have to clean up,” Evan said as Savannah placed the folded blanket over the arm of the couch before she sat down on it.

  “I wanted to,” she insisted as Evan took a seat on the armchair beside her and brushed his fingers through his hair.

  “You’re our guest.”

  Staring at Evan, she had realized long ago that he was not only her best friend’s husband but he had also become one of Savannah’s closest friends through the years. She knew him well enough to tell that he was tired behind his smile. “How are y’all holding up with Alex being in England?”

  A large smile replaced the tight one on his face. It was genuine, and she knew how proud he was of his wife. “We’re managing. It’s been hard on Miller. She was just getting used to AJ being at Harvard, so her being at Oxford for the summer has been tough. She’s definitely kept me on my toes, though. Miller’s just excited to see her soon.”

  “You’re a great dad, Evan,” Savannah stated.

  “Thanks, Sav. Some days, I don’t feel like I am, you know. I hate it when I tell her she can’t see AJ, and she gets upset with me. But then again, I feel like I’m a better dad every day I spend with her.” Evan sat back, and the proud gleam in his eyes never wavered. He was a man who loved his family immensely. “Though it’s been hard, I’m glad AJ went to Oxford. It was an incredible opportunity for her—especially after deciding she wants to teach after her Ph.D.”

  Savannah smiled, proud of the man, husband, and father Evan Gilmore had become. He’d grown in the years she had known him. “Most men wouldn’t have been as supportive as you.”

  Evan nodded. “It was a decision we made together as a family. We knew that this was probably the best time for her to do any traveling before Miller gets older. Oxford calling was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. If I wasn’t working at Fenway, we would have joined her.” He let out a heavy breath. “So how are you, Sav? How’s work?”

  “Tiring,” she admitted. “I’m happy to be away, really. The last client we had was a nightmare. But hey, gotta pay the bills somehow.”

  “Have you thought about moving away from Montpelier? I know a lot of marketing firms here in Boston that would love to have you,” Evan said.

  She had thought about moving plenty of times. Now that she had some experience after college, her resume was more attractive. But she couldn’t leave her father. She knew she would have to someday, but until she was able to take the burden of her student loans from him and not have him worry, she couldn’t move.

  “That’s sweet, Evan, but I can’t leave Vermont or my dad. Plus, Monty is a great boss, and she’s teaching me a lot. So how about you? How’s Fenway?”

  Just as he opened his mouth to speak, his phone rang, interrupting them. He sighed as he pulled his phone from the pocket of his jeans. “Sorry, Sav.”

  “Don’t be sorry.”

  “Speaking of Fenway, it’s my boss. I’ll go take it in my room.”

  Savannah shook her head. “No, it’s fine. Take it here. No reason to risk waking up Miller.”

  “You’re right. This probably won’t take long,” he said as he sat straight and answered the call, pressing the phone to his ear. “Hello, sir.”

  She sat still, not wanting to make any sound that might interrupt him. She watched as Evan’s brows furrowed as he shook his head. Concern filled her as his smile faded away.

  “No, I understand, but you know my wife is out of the country. I can’t bring my daughter to a conference. Kyle’s in Quebec for his surgery, and my in-laws are in New York.” Evan groaned. “Yes, I know more than most. Can I call you back? I’ll see if my parents can fly down and look after Miller for a few days. Thank you, sir. I’ll call you back.”

  “Everything okay?” Savannah asked as Evan set his phone on the chair’s arm.

  He shook his head. “One of the executives who was going to represent the Red Sox at a conference in Dallas was rushed to the ER with appendicitis. They want me to give the talk since I worked on the presentation about Fenway and how we operate. I have to call my parents and see if they can fly from Chicago. If they can’t, I’ll have to call Noel and Clara and see if I can stop by New York and have them watch her. I can’t bring Miller to Dallas with no one to look after her. The team has worked so hard on this presentation, and it could come back to bite us in the ass if it’s not presented correctly.”

  It hit her.

  The idea formed and planted quickly.

  “Why don’t I look after Miller? Your brother’s in Canada right now. I’m already here. You won’t have to drive to New York, and I’ve spent more time with Miller than your parents.”

  Evan hummed. “That’s true. But, Sav, I’ll be gone for a few days. You have to go back to Vermont. You have work.”

  She shrugged a shoulder. “It’s fine. I can take a few days off. Plus, it’s been weeks since I got to spend time with Miller. Go to Dallas. Present and impress everyone. You can trust me, Evan. We’ll play. I’ll make sure she takes her naps and eats. I’m her godmother. I won’t let anything bad happen to her.”

  “Are you sure? She can be a handful.”

  “I’m sure.”

  Evan stood. “I’ll have to call AJ and run it by her first. Is that okay?”

  “Of course.”

  “Okay, I’ll be back.” Then he left the living room and made his way upstairs to call his wife.

  As Savannah remained on the couch to wait for Evan, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She had ignored her phone for most of the morning, deciding that time spent with her goddaughter was more important. But now that she was alone, she thought she’d at least see who was calling. When she pulled her phone out, she unlocked it and was shocked to see his name.

  Walter.

  She’d missed three calls and had five unread text messages from him.

  Her hands shook as her chest heaved.

  She shouldn’t.

  She shouldn’t open the door she’d closed so many years ago.

  But he found a way.

  He always did.

  And it was clear that Savannah always let him as she opened his messages.

  Walter: Can we talk?

  Walter: Savannah, please. I know this is out of the blue, but I need to talk to someone. And that person I need is you.

  Walter: I left the Bucks.

  Walter: Do you ever think of me anymore?

  Walter: I still think of you.

  He still thinks of me.

  It was enough.

  Enough to evoke all her feelings and emotions.

  It was just enough to make Savannah reply.

  Savannah: But you still don’t love me.

  It came as no surprise at all when his reply was as cruel as his affections toward her.

  Walter: I still don’t love you, Savannah.

  Three

  Savannah

  “Use my car so you don’t have to worry about moving Miller’s car seat. I also left cash on the hallway table. Please use it. Ju
st let me know if you need more. Emergency numbers are on the fridge. She will need Einstein and Harvey the dog to sleep with. The baby monitor is always on, so just take it to the living room if you need to. And—”

  “Relax, Evan. Don’t worry about Miller. I’ll take care of her. Won’t I?” Savannah asked Evan’s daughter who was crying in his arms as they stood outside Logan International Airport. It was almost three p.m., and after Walter’s last message, Savannah sat on the couch staring at her phone.

  His words were to be expected. She should be used to the pain, yet the slices of humiliation still hurt. It was no longer a dull sensation, but a rapid and vibrant display of agony. Fortunately, Evan returned to the living room with Alex on the phone. Alex thanked Savannah for offering to take care of their daughter while she was still in England. Besides her parents and Evan’s brother, there was no one else she trusted more to take care of Miller than Savannah.

  “I’m so sorry, my love,” Evan whispered as he brushed his daughter’s tear-soaked hair from her face. “It’s just for a few days. Daddy will be home before you know it. You’re going to have so much fun with Auntie Sav. And we’ll video chat as soon as I get to Dallas. Then we’ll go see Mummy in England once Daddy comes home, okay?”

  Miller nodded as Evan brushed her tears from her face. “I’ll miss you, Daddy.”

  Evan kissed her forehead. “I already miss you so much, my love. Be a good girl for Auntie Sav.”

  “I will.”

  He smiled. “Watch the stars for me.”

  Miller nodded. “Eight, Daddy.”

  “Eight protons. Eight neutrons. I love you, Miller,” Evan whispered.

  God, Savannah’s heart almost burst.

  When she was in college, she had asked Alex why Evan always said, “Eight protons. Eight neutrons.” Alex blushed as she explained that it was his way of telling her that she was his oxygen. His way of telling her he loved her even when he didn’t know how to when they were young and still best friends. It was Evan’s way of telling his wife and daughter how much he loved them, and it was beautiful. The most beautiful declaration Savannah had ever heard.