Chapter11
Savannah got home from her lover’s weekend at the bed and breakfast late on Sunday afternoon, and when Lucas finally left her at her home, she went straight to her phone. She was looking forward to meeting his family, just as she had told him she was, but she was a wreck of nerves thinking about it. She needed some advice from her best friend, and she needed it fast.
Ellie answered right away, glad to hear from her. Savannah skipped the pleasantries and launched straight into what was on her mind.
“Ellie! Help!” she pleaded, holding the phone tightly in her hand.
“What? What is it?” Ellie asked with mounting concern. The panic in Savannah’s voice was clear and present.
Savannah sank onto her sofa and looked out of the window behind it, down at the city around her and the park across the street on the corner. “Lucas took me away for the weekend, and we had a great time. I mean, things are going really good, but-” she stopped and closed her eyes, breathing in deeply.
“But what? If things are going well, then what’s the worry?”
“The worry is that he decided that he wants to introduce me to his family.” She breathed out. Somehow, saying the words aloud made it even more real and more nerve wracking than it had been just floating around as a thought in her head.
Ellie whistled long and low. “Meeting the family… wow,” she said slowly and then paused. “Savannah, that’s a big step.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s a huge step, and I’m so nervous!” She closed her eyes and rubbed her fingers over her forehead.
“I’d be nervous too, but honey… is this the right time? I mean, you two haven’t been together that long. Are you sure it’s right at this point? Do you feel like you’re ready to meet them?” Ellie asked, piling more questions on top of the questions she was already asking.
Savannah shook her head, though no one was there to see it. “I don’t know. He kind of sprung it on me while we were away together this weekend. I know it’s really important to him, and it’s something that seems like it should be easy and simple. You know, just go and meet them, but it’s not. This is such a big step. This is… this is really solidifying the relationship into… something. I don’t know if it’s just that I’m not sure if I’m ready to meet them because it’s such a big step, or if I’m not ready to meet them because I’m just nervous about it. They’re different people, and I’m feeling a little insecure about myself and my life in the face of all that they have and all that they do. I feel like they might not think I’m good enough for him. I’m not in their class, at least in society.”
She groaned and went to the kitchen to make some tea for herself.
Ellie spoke with a calming voice. “You are definitely in his class, and theirs, and don’t you doubt that. Your worth and value isn’t tied to your income, Savannah, and you already know that. You’re just letting your nerves and insecurity get the better of you. Now, if they think you aren’t good enough for him because of money, then they aren’t worth knowing. People’s value doesn’t increase based on the amount of money or property that they have. Anyone who thinks that is only looking skin deep. Don’t get caught up in that. Really, don’t. Just think of it as you’re going to meet his family, his people. You’re going to see who it is that helped to make him who he is, and you really like who he is. Remember that. You’ll probably really like them, too. Give them a chance to meet you and talk with you. Give them a chance to know you, and they’ll probably fall right into love with you just like everyone does. You’re an amazing woman, and nearly everyone sees that. If they see in you even part of what Lucas and the rest of us see in you, they’ll love you.”
She sounded so certain of what she was saying that Savannah felt better by the time she was done saying it. “Thank you, Ellie. That’s a big help. That isn’t the only thing, though.”
“There’s more?” Ellie asked in surprise. “What else is there?”
“He’s taking me to meet them at a polo match and garden party. It’s a charity function. It’s the elite society getting together. I’m just so sure I’m not going to fit in. He said that I need to have a nice dress to wear and heels, and probably a hat.” She bit at her lower lip.
“Savannah, you have those things in your closet. Don’t you fret about this. Seriously. I’ll tell you what, though. I know that it’ll make you feel better if you meet them wearing something new, so why don’t you and I go shopping this week? We’ll take Natalie and Leo. I’m sure Leo has probably been to something like this before, and we can all find you something that will be perfect. Plus, then I’ll get to see you. What do you think?” She sounded upbeat, and it was catching.
Savannah smiled. “I think that sounds like a lifesaver. Thank you so much. I’ll talk to Natalie and Leo and find out when they can go, and I’ll let you know. I really appreciate it, Ellie.” She sighed with relief.
“Hey, no problem, honey. That’s what best friends are for!” Ellie laughed lightly.
***
When Savannah brought up the meeting of Lucas’ family to Natalie and Leo, she was met with surprise and keen interest. Both of them were caught just as much off guard as Savannah had been when Lucas had brought it up to her.
“Meeting the family?” Leo was stunned. “Honey, you are definitely doing something right. That’s a big move.”
“I know it is. I don’t know if I’m ready for it, but it’s happening this weekend, and I have to ask you both for your help, please. Lucas said that we’re going to meet them at a charity event. It’s a polo match and garden party. I’ve never been to anything like that at all. Leo, you must have gone to something like that a few times. What am I going to wear to make the best first impression?” she pleaded with him.
He raised his eyebrows and shook his head. “Darling, I’m so sorry, but I’ve never actually been to a polo match. I’m not going to be much help in giving you the inside scoop on it. I mean, of course I’ll be glad to go shopping with you, but you’re asking the wrong girl for any kind of advice on what to wear for meeting the fam.”
Savannah gasped and bit her lip worriedly. “Oh no! I would have bet good money that you’d have done something like that before.”
“I know, right? It’s strange to me, too. By all rights, I certainly should have by this point. Maybe I’ll add that to my bucket list,” he said regretfully.
Natalie sighed and rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. “I can help you. I’ve been to a polo match. Actually, I’ve been to so many that I’ve lost track of them.”
Both Leo and Savannah stared at her. Leo cracked a wide smile. “You’re kidding! Glamour goth has been to polo matches in the past? Do tell, honey. I’m dying to know this!”
Natalie gave him a quick, dirty look for the nickname he’d called her. “You both better swear that you’re never going to breathe a word of this to another living soul.” She looked like she absolutely meant it. “My parents live in the Hamptons. I grew up there. I have a brother who played polo. It’s really not all that exciting. I mean, maybe I’m just bored with it, but it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. Anyway, I’ll come with you to help you choose a dress. I’ll make sure that you look the part. You’ll amaze them, I have no doubt. We’ll all go; you, Leo, Ellie, and me.”
Savannah threw her arms around Natalie’s neck, and Natalie hugged her back and gave her a real smile. “Don’t worry; it will be fine.”
“Thank you so much. I know I shouldn’t be nervous, but I really do want to make a good impression. I really want them to like me.” Savannah confided, “I mean, we’re just dating, and we haven’t been together that long, but it would mean a lot to me if it went well. I don’t want anything to go wrong for Lucas and me. Things are going so perfectly right now. It’s like a sweet dream.” She sighed with a smile and looked at her friends gratefully.
“Have no fear,” Natalie slid her and into the crook of Savannah’s arm, “Glamour Goth is here to save the day.” She winked at Leo, who laughed and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Thursday came, and the four friends went out dress shopping. It was the only day that Leo, Natalie, and Savannah could all three be gone from the gallery, and it was the only day when Ellie wasn’t teaching her art class at the high school past ten in the morning. They started in department stores, and after two failed searches, gave them up for boutiques. The boutiques were a lot more fun, and one of them was offering champagne with their selection of dresses. The friends lounged on sofas and helped choose dresses and offer opinions as Savannah came out of the dressing room time and again and turned before them.
They stopped for a late lunch and continued scouring Manhattan dress boutiques for just the right dress. They finally found it at a little place in the village, which was the last place they’d have ever thought that they might find what they were looking for. They had all been browsing the racks when Leo cried out blissfully and turned to face them all, holding up a light lavender dress with thin white swirls through it. It looked elegant and stylish, and it had a cut that would flatter Savannah’s curves.
Even Natalie was impressed with it, and they all waited while Savannah tried it on. She came out of the dressing room and turned before them, and they applauded her. “That’s it! That’s the one,” Natalie confirmed, and Ellie and Leo both agreed completely with her.
“Girl, you are on your way to the big time!” Leo beamed at her. “In the money and on the way.”
Savannah shrugged. “Oh, Leo, you know I’m not really looking for anything like that. I’m not one to care about the big time or about lots of money. I care about Lucas, and I want things to be good for us. I’m falling for him, and I want it to continue to work. That’s the most important thing.”
He kissed her cheek. “I know that, darling. You are true of heart.” He gave her a smile. “But it doesn’t hurt that Mr. Wonderful is a billionaire. We’re all thinking it, and I’m not one to leave something unsaid.” The others laughed at him and shook their heads.
They found a wide-brimmed white hat with a lavender tie around it that matched the dress, and Leo was key in finding just the right shoes at a shoe store that he frequented often. By the end of the afternoon, Savannah was set, and they were all excited for her big day coming up that weekend.