OPERATION CUPID'S ARROW

Chapter 8: Between Tides

As Savannah sat comfortably on the couch next to Ian, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over her. The ambiance of Ian's rented apartment, with its warm lighting and cozy atmosphere, was a welcoming. 

But she couldn't shake of tha feeling.

Ian had invited her to his house so they could watch friends and gush over Monica and Chandler being cute. 

As their conversation unfolded, Savannah and Ian realized that they both held "Friends" dear as their favorite TV show. Despite its reputation for being overrated to some, they both shrugged off such critiques, finding immense comfort and joy in the series.

And so, they decided to watch "Friends" together.

"So, what episode should we watch?" Savannah asked, a playful grin tugging at the corners of her lips as she reached for a handful of popcorn from the bowl between them.

Ian chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I was thinking we could with some classic Monica and Chandler romace. What do you say?"

Savannah nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds perfect to me. You know, I never get tired of their cuteness. Ugh, they're sooo perfect for each other."

As they settled in to watch, Savannah felt a bit of gratitude for Ian's thoughtfulness.

 Despite her initial surprise at finding out they were alone, she appreciated his efforts to make her feel comfortable.

"You know, Ian," she began, turning to him with a teasing glint in her eyes, "you didn't have to go through all this trouble just to spend time with me. I would have come over even if you didn't lure me with 'Friends' reruns."

Ian's cheeks flushed slightly, but he met her gaze with sincerity. "I just wanted to make sure you felt at ease, Savannah."

Savannah chuckled softly, but deep down, she felt a mixture of guilt and appreciation. The truth was, despite Ian's evident feelings, she didn't harbor any romantic feelings for him. 

Nevertheless, his thoughtful gesture left her conflicted, prompting her to contemplate giving their connection a chance.

As they watched, Savannah's phone suddenly rang, interrupting the laughter emanating from the TV. 

Glancing at the caller ID, she saw that it was Samuel. She hesitated for a moment, debating whether to answer, but ultimately decided to pick up. 

She knew about his thoughts about Ian and telling him she was at Ian's house would make him feel betrayed.

"Hey, Sam," she greeted, trying to keep her voice casual despite the unexpected interruption.

"Hey, Savi! What's up?" Samuel's voice sounded cheerful through the phone.

Before Savannah could even begin to formulate an excuse to tell Samuel where she was, a sudden voice from behind startled her. 

"Who's there?" it asked, cutting through the air with unexpected intrusion.Her heart skipped a beat as she froze, the weight of the moment pressing down on her. 

Samuel's voice crackled through the phone, strained with a poorly veiled attempt at controlling his jealousy. "Who's that guy?" he asked, the tension palpable even through the distance.

Savannah's breath caught in her throat, fear creeping into her voice as she responded, "Ian." 

She could feel the air grow heavy with unspoken questions and emotions. 

Ian, who had been watching her with concern, now turned to face the unexpected interruption. His expression shifted from confusion to cautious understanding as he met Savannah's gaze.

"Everything okay?" he mouthed silently, his eyes searching hers for answers.

Savannah could only offer a shaky nod in response, her mind racing with uncertainty. What would Samuel think? How would he react to the realization that it was just her and Ian alone together?

On the other end of the line, silence hung heavy, broken only by the faint sound of Samuel's breathing. 

Savannah held her breath, waiting for his response, unsure of what to expect.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Samuel spoke, his voice tight with barely contained frustration. 

"Right. Well, I'll let you get back to whatever you're doing," he said curtly, before abruptly ending the call.

Savannah let out a shaky breath, relief flooding through her as the tension dissipated. 

She turned to face Ian, her expression apologetic. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't expect him to call."

Ian offered her a reassuring smile, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand. "It's okay, Savi. You don't have to apologize."

But even as his words washed over her, Savannah couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. The unexpected interruption had thrown her off balance, leaving her with more questions than answers.

As she turned back to the TV, the familiar scenes of "Friends" playing out before her, Savannah couldn't help but think about Samuel and wonder why he called. Was it something important? Was he okay? These past few days Samuel has been distant. Is everything okay with him?.

She tried to distract her mind by focusing on her favorite show. But all she could think of at that moment was Samuel.

As the evening wore on and the tension from the unexpected phone call lingered in the air, Savannah unease that settled in her chest, grow more and more by the moment. 

Despite Ian's understanding demeanor, she knew she needed some time alone to clear her head.

"I think I'm going to head home," Savannah said, her voice tinged with exhaustion as she rose from the couch. "I'm just not feeling well."

Ian's concern was evident as he watched her, his brows furrowed with worry. "Are you sure you're okay? Do you want me to walk you back?"

Savannah offered him a reassuring smile, though her heart felt heavy with guilt for lying to him. "No, I'll be fine. Thanks, though."

With a final nod, she made her way out of Ian's apartment, the cool night air hitting her face as she stepped onto the sidewalk. 

But instead of heading home like she had told Ian, Savannah found herself drawn to somewhere else, somewhere she felt she needed to be.

It was a place that held significance for her and Samuel, a sanctuary where they often went when they needed to escape the chaos of their lives. 

Savannah knew that if she wanted to find Samuel, this was the most likely place to look.

The beach.

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(I hope you have enjoyed the book this far. If not, please feel free to offer any constructive feedback.)

Till then,

Take care,

Bye loves,

XOXO