His smile vanished. “I don’t talk about my personal life to the media, Savannah. And I don’t expose my friends to unwelcome publicity.”
She could tell that she’d offended him. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “It’s just…well, I’ve never dated a celebrity before,” she finished lamely.
“You could really tick me off, you know that?” he said, but there was no real anger in his voice. He managed to smile again. “Just trust me a little, will you?”
“I’m trying,” she answered seriously. “This isn’t easy for me.”
“I know.” He touched her cheek, the gesture so tender it brought a lump to her throat.
“Good night, Kit,” she whispered.
“Good night, love.”
With that, he turned and walked away. Savannah let herself inside the house, then leaned back against the door, her knees still weak from his husky endearment.
Love.
She really wasn’t prepared for this.
EVERYONE ELSE was already in the kitchen when Savannah walked in the next morning. Avoiding her mother’s worried eyes, Savannah headed straight for the coffeepot.
“Well?” Miranda asked avidly. “How was your date with Kit last night?”
“We had a very nice time,” Savannah replied lightly. “He took me dancing.”
He’d taken her flying…but, of course, this was no time to get into that.
“You certainly got in late enough,” Ernestine commented.
“Checking up on me, Mother?” Savannah glanced her way with a forced smile. “Should I remind you that I’ve outgrown curfews?”
“I’ll sure be glad when I can say that,” Michael muttered beneath his breath.
Savannah leveled a look at her son. “Yes, well, that’s going to be a while yet, so get used to it.”
“He took you dancing.” Miranda was still young enough to be a die-hard romantic, and get away with it. “That is so cool.”
Savannah carried her coffee and bagel to the table as Miranda asked, “Why don’t you like Kit, Grandma? I think he’s really nice.”
“Me, too,” Michael seconded loyally. “We had fun playing ball Saturday. Nick was so jealous when he…”
“Nick?” Savannah lifted her head and narrowed her eyes at her son. “How did Nick know you played ball with Kit?”
“I…uh…”
“Michael, did you call Nick after I told you not to?”
She could tell by his expression that he had.
“Why would you do something that you knew I’d forbidden?” she said angrily.
Michael was obviously just as angry with himself— but for his slip of the tongue, not for his insubordination. “I just wanted to tell him about me and Kit,” he muttered. “We only talked for a couple of minutes.”
“I told you no telephone calls—no telephone calls for two weeks. That was your punishment for breaking the law Thursday night, Michael. I’ve allowed you a great deal of leeway—including playing ball with Kit on Saturday—but I will not be deliberately disobeyed again. Is that clear?”
“Yes’m,” Michael mumbled.
“Is that clear, Michael?” she repeated. “Because I can always ground you for a month, if I think it’s necessary in order to get you to take me seriously.”