Page 15 of The Darkest Knight
“How long have you two been married?” I ask.
“Eight years,” they both reply at the same time.
“We met right here, actually,” Savannah says.
“Here?” I’m surprised. “I thought you worked for him?”
“That came later,” Tobias says, his eyes lighting up at the memory. They share a story about how she mistook Tobias for a sales assistant. The way they look at each other as they reminisce—it’s like no one else exists. And I’m left feeling like a third wheel.
I try to stay engaged, but my mind drifts. Savannah’s hair glints under the lights, a soft brown with golden streaks. It’s muted elegance compared to Cari’s vivid auburn, which catches fire under the sun. I look around, hoping to see that flash of red in the crowd. I wonder if she’ll show, though I won’t be too surprised if she doesn’t. She didn’t sound too keen on coming.
I snap back to the present as Tobias calls over his teenage stepson, Jacob. The kid has grown tall, and now he’s all angles and confidence.
“Dad, you gotta tell the twins to calm down,” Jacob complains, pointing to them near the large Christmas tree.
“What are they doing now?” Savannah cranes her neck to see.
“Running laps around the tree. They’re gonna take someone out.”
Tobias sighs. “Tell them Santa’s watching.”
"Dad, these kids are grown up for their age, I don't think they even believe in Santa." Jacob rolls his eyes.
"How old are you, Jacob?" I ask.
He smiles. "Fifteen."
"Fifteen?" My eyes almost bug out of my head. I remember Tobias introducing Sophia and me to Savannah and Jacob soon after he and Savannah got married. Tobias and I weren't so close then, but we knew of each other through the millionaire mastermind group. Later, after Sophia died, Tobias suddenly became a good friend. He was there for me when the people I expected to be there for me—friends I'd known since high school and college, good family friends—dropped off.
He surprised me.
And then I came to learn that Tobias also suffered a loss, and he seemed to understand. Savannah, too, was there, especially that first year. She helped with Brooke, even though she’d had a young daughter to take care of.
I'll never forget their kindness.
Savannah places her hand on her son's shoulder. He’s taller than her now. “Can you please just go over and tell them that Mommy’s watching?”
“Mom!” He whines. “Rachelle is here and you said we could hang out … you said I wouldn’t have to baby sit the terrible twins.”
Tobias chuckles softly. “She the one in the black dress who can’t keep her eyes off you over by the sleigh ride photo booth?”
He gesticulates to where a teenage girl is standing alone shyly. Right next to the photo booth is a snowfall machine. Of course it is. I’m in awe, these two have thought of everything.
“Yeah, Dad. Don’t embarrass me, please,” he pleads.
“Honey. You are not to go over there and do a Millicent, do you hear me?” Savannah chastises her husband, but her words are wrapped up in soft, unwavering love.
Tobias shakes his head. “I promise not to do a thing.”
“She’s pretty, honey,” Savannah says to Jacob. “Introduce us if you want, or don’t.”
Jacob seems to visibly relax.
Brooke tugs on my jacket. “Daddy, Anna won’t let us feed the reindeer.”
"You can't feed them, honey," Savannah says.
"Maybe a carrot or something?" Tobias asks.
