“I used to go into the bar, and I wasn’t Savannah the home wrecker or Savannah the one who had a child out of wedlock or ever Savannah ‘that one.’ I was Savannah, owner. No one felt sorry for that Savannah, and no one said a bad word about that Savannah. I was everyone’s best friend when I was pouring them a drink. They joked with me and told me secrets. It was as if I was never that first Savannah.”

“You are the bravest woman I know,” he says, squatting down in front of me and grabbing my hands to bring them to his lips. I take one of my hands and put it on his cheek.

“Has anyone ever told you how amazing you are?” I ask, then smile as the tears come. “Of course they did. You’re Beau.”

We both look at the street when we hear a car door slam. Jacob gets out of his truck and walks to the stairs, and he sits down on the last step. “I’m so fucking done.”

“You and me both,” I say.

“Well, you guys have a couple of hours before we need to be ready,” Beau says, and we both look at him. “We’re getting married,” he tells me. “Today at three.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Beau

“We are getting married.” She doesn’t know if I’m asking her or telling her, so I just nod.

“Today?”

“Today,” I say and look at Jacob who stares at me with the same look of surprise that’s on Savannah’s face.

When we pulled up to her bar, and I saw the flames, I knew there would be no saving it. I also knew that the bar was a piece of her, and now it would be gone forever. I also knew that this would be another reason for her to want to leave, so I had to act fast in order to make her stay because losing her was not an option at this point. “Don’t you need a license or something?” Savannah looks at me and then at Jacob.

“I’m the mayor,” I say. “I know who to call.”

“But …” she says. “But it’s not worth it anymore.”

“Why do you say that?” I ask, and she throws her hands up.

“There is nothing else they can take from me.” She stands up, and I stand with her. “Literally, they have taken everything I have.”

“So you are just going to let them win?” I ask, putting my hands on my hips.

“I’ve lost every single time.” Her voice goes low. “Might as well lose this round, too.”

“You have seven hours,” I say after I look at my watch. “Come hell or high water, we’re getting married today.”

“You’re serious?” She finally sees that I’m not joking. “You really want to get married today?”

“I do.” I smile. “See that? I’m practicing.”