Savannah could hardly keep her eyes open in the meeting. Dean was going over some figures for a project that he was hoping to bid on. Of course, whenever Dean gave a presentation, it was strictly about facts. He had been behaving himself ever since she said what she said to him. He tried to avoid her but when she cornered him in the hallway, she giggled at his attempt to be nice. She was sure that her time was shortened there; she could feel it.

Yet, he had not mentioned anything about needing to speak with her and the rumor mill around the office didn't include anything about her. But she knew better than to relax because that's when snakes attacked.

"Savannah, do you have a minute?" Dean called out to her after he adjourned the meeting.

Her heart pumped viogorously as she watched the others file out of the office. She caught the jealous glares of some of her coworkers and wondered what he really wanted to talk to her about.

When the boardroom was empty, Savannah remained standing. Dean walked around the table until he was a few feet in front of her. "I've had plenty of time to think things over about what happened. I just want you to know that there are no hard feelings between us and if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask." He walked around her and headed for the door.

Savannah stared at the back of his head. 'That bastard!' She mumbled to herself. Of course, to save face Dean would apologize first. She huffed and headed back to her office. She noticed the women staring at her. She knew they hated her. She rolled her eyes at them and went to her office.

"You have a call on line one, Ms. White." her assistant told her as she walked by.

"Thank you." Savannah sat at her desk and placed the notes from the meeting in a drawer. She would read those later. "Savannah speaking."

"You've been ignoring me." Dwight's voice filtered through the receiver.

"I know. I'm sorry." She turned to face the window on her right.

"I don't know why you are upset, but I am sorry if you think I hurt you on purpose."

"Was Sandra the number that kept calling your phone?" She kicked her feet up onto her desk.

He hesitated and then sighed. "Yes it was her."

"Dwight, listen, I never doubted you before. I just didn't understand why you wouldn't be up front with me about what was going on. I mean, I understand that she is Isabella's mother and I, in no way, have anything to do with that. But last I heard from you, Sandra didn't want anything to do with you or Izzy. Then all of a sudden, here she is, after you called her and I don't know what to think."

"Maybe I should have told you, but I honestly didn't think it would be this big of a deal. I'm really not that kind of guy."

Savannah sighed just as a few lights on her phone lit up. "Dwight, look, I have some work to do. But I'll call you later."

"Okay. But make sure you call me."

She hung up the phone and pressed her next line. "Savannah White's office."

"This is a call from your local government requesting-" Savannah disconnected the call. The next few calls were for orders that she placed and after she confirmed them, there was only one last call.

"Savannah White speaking."

"What's up girl? You don't know how to call your sister? I've been leaving you messages and stuff. But what's been up?" Kim asked.

"Nothing much. I started therapy last week. I go back tomorrow. And Dwight and I are fighting."

"Let me tell you something. If you let this man go, I'll kill you swiftly and burn your body." Kim exclaimed.

"You really need to work on your social skills. I think they are a little outrageous. And I'm not leaving him. But he lied about the fact that his daughter's mother was calling him and then he called her to come over when he told me that he hadn't heard from her in a while and now all of a sudden she appears, because he called her. Right before we were about to-" Savannah cut her words short, remembering that she was talking to her sister.

"Ooh! Girl, you was bout to do the nasty weren't you?" Kim seemed to light up.

"As a matter of fact, I was. And brother looked like he could put some work in." Savannah felt herself get excited about a man for the first time in a long time.

"Look. You do this all the time. You meet a guy who is good for you and you look for a reason to end it because you are so afraid of getting hurt that you end it early so you don't have to get dumped. You may think it's a defense mechanism but let me tell you that it is not and if you keep on like this you will never have anybody." Kim replied. "That man hardly knew you, but he left his baby and came to make sure you and your baby were all right. What man would have done that and not expect anything in return? Not many."

"I know. I know. Gosh. Mommy never fussed that much." Savannah sucked her teeth.

"I've never really been like mommy. Besides, it's about time you had a little happiness in your life. Mike tore you up and if you don't stop it now, he will continue to control every decision you make."

"I should stop paying Dr. Scott and sit and listen to you."

"Heck no. I don't want you sitting around here depressing me with your problems. Besides, I never know when Kenneth is going to come home and want some. And you need professional help." Kim laughed into the phone.

"Maybe, but not this much. This guy is crazy." Savannah chewed on the end of her pen.

"What happened anyway? You used to be so much more confident and strong and stuff. You were worse than me. I had to calm you down."

"I don't know." Savannah paused when she noticed Dean walking by her office. He peeked in and smiled at her before he kept walking down the hallway. "I can't even blame it all on Mike and Daddy. I've felt like there something wrong with me ever since I could remember. Dwight iis just getting steamrolled into all this."

Kim laughed. "You think Dwight can't tell how crazy you are? Men can see that stuff. They just choose to ignore it."

"I have to get back to work. But maybe the boys and I will drop by to see you this weekend." After Savannah said her goodbyes, she searched in her files for the Clarke project. She was proud of how everything had been going. Their last few meetings were pretty successful and he told her that she had managed to capture the essence of his business. She found his number.

"Savannah. Nice to talk to you again." His burly voice filled the receiver.

"Likewise, Mr. Duncan. I was calling to see if you got the faxes that I sent you? It was a couple of sketches about the redesign for some of your stores. Now, these are just ideas, since you are wanting to appeal to a hipper, younger professional. I also included some preliminary figures for how much it will cost. I tried to stay under your budget and I even included a break down of some of your long term earnings once these changes have been implemented."

"I must say, you are really impressing me, Ms..." He paused. "Is it Dennis or White?"

Savannah laughed. "It's actually both. Dennis was my mother's middle name. It's really pronounced 'day nees'. But when people see it, they think it's my last name."

"That's a very interesting name. Yes, I did get those faxes and I have yet to get a chance to sit down and look at them but the sketches look promising. I'm going out of town today and tomorrow. I hope to be back by the weekend. If youdon't mind, I would like you to bring your boys to my house. I'm having a small get together."

"Oh, I..." She stammered.

"Please, come one. I'd like to introduce everyone to the woman who is helping me move my business to the future. Other kids will be there and there is someone on hand to make sure they are safe. What do you say?"

Savannah thought for a while. What if this was a test and he was using this as a means to see how dedicated she was? "Okay. I'll need the address though."

After writing down the address and the directions, she went back to work. Before she knew it, it was time to leave. She grabbed her briefcase and her jacket and made her way to her car.

Traffic wasn't as heavy as she expected and she actually made it to pick up her boys in record time. Jake cilmbed into the backseat and seemed to be in a particularly good mood.

"And why are you so happy?" She asked him, fastening him into his booster seat.

"I made you a hat!" He screamed and lifted up the creation he had in his hand. Savannah smiled at Jake and knew that he would want her to wear it. It was the biggest, strangest hat she had ever seen. She kept in mind though that the designer was under five years old, so of course it would look a certain way.

"You gonna wear it, Mommy?" His big brown eyes seeking an answer.

"Sure baby." Savannah stuck the hat on top of her head and drove all the way to Nicholas' daycare and then home. When she entered the door, she hung it on the coat rack near the door and ushered her boys through the door to living room. "Jake, go wash your hands and get ready to eat. We're having macaroni and cheese." She announced happily.

Jake raced off to wash his hands. She made a mental note to check the bathroom later because she was sure that in his haste he would make a mess. She grabbed Nicholas and sat him on the counter in the kitchen. Grabbing an alcohol wipe, she wiped his hands down.

"Can you say 'Nicholas'?" She asked, looking him in his face.

Nicholas blew bubbles in her face. "Nick... Nick... Nick...." He clapped excitedly. Savannah smiled at her baby and wondered why she ever thought about giving them up. Jake reappeared, his shirt wet from water, the bottom of his pants rolled up and looked like he had danced in water.

"I'm sorry Mommy." He held up his hands and showed her his wet sleeves. Savannah just sighed and raced to his room to find him a dry shirt. After she changed his clothes, she fixed their food and sat them down to eat. She was chewing on a spoonful of macaroni and cheese when she heard a knock at the door

"Who is it?" She yelled from behind the door.

"Mike."

Savannah swung the door open and stopped right in front of Mike's face. "What the hell is your problem?"

Mike looked shocked. "Look, I just came to apologize. I was drinking that night and my boys were telling me how they kept seeing you with this other guy."

"That has nothing to do with you," she scowled at him. "You owe me some money."

"I know." He reached in his back pocket and pulled out an envelope, placing it in her hand. "The money for child support and the money for the repairs for the windows is in there. I'm sorry."

Savannah could not help but notice the sincerity in his eyes. But she knew that game all too well. He was trying to get her defenses down. "The boys are eating. You wanna see them?'

He nodded and she stepped to the side, making room for him. He lingered in the hallway. "They are eating in the dining room." She pointed him in the direction he needed to go and then she sat the couch.

Savannah's leg bobbed up and down as she listened to him play with the kids. She thought it was a little awkward that after a half an hour later, he was still there. She walked into the dining room, to find the dishes cleared off the table. Following the sound of water she found Nicholas sitting on the kitchen floor, Jake standing next to his father at the sink, and Mike, with his sleeves rolled up washing dishes. She had to look around the room a few times before she realized that she was dreaming.

"What do you think you're doing?" She stared at him with her hands on her hips.

"You remember when we used to wash dishes together?" He turned around, a look of nostalgia in his eyes. Savannah fought hard not toss something at his head.

"Mike, get the he-" She started but he interjected.

"Look, I know you don't care and I know you hate me, but there have been a lot of things going on lately and I have been doing some thinking." He turned the water off and helped Jake down from the crate he was standing on. "I just need a few minutes of your time. And after I finish, I'll go."

Savannah knew that she did not owe him anything. It had taken her awhile to get where she was and she still had much further to go. Jake looked at her longingly.

"Fine. Jake take Nicky in your room and play for a little while. Keep the door open." Savannah kissed her boys as they walked by and Mike rubbed their heads. She made her way to the couch and sat as far to one side as she could. Mike, probably sensing her intent, did the same.

"What do want to talk about that we have not discussed as of yet?"

Mike watched her for a second. "I know I did some pretty messed up s&*$. But I was young and I didn't know what I wanted. I didn't realize how good you were for me."

"And you realize it now?" She asked sarcastically.

 Mike sighed. "Actually, I'm not sure what I really know at this moment. I know I still care about you and I'd like to see if we can move past this."

"Don't think so." She replied calmly. "I'm not interested in getting involved with you. We had our moment and you see what you did with it. you have some nerve coming here after you've been living the life. No."

Mike rubbed his eyes and Savannah could remember when she had loved him. It was so intense, what they shared. But apparently it was one-sided because the same man that said he loved her, moved in with another woman.

"I think you should leave." She stood up and walked to the door. Mike sat for a few seconds more before he joined her. He lingered near her for a while and Savannah was shocked when he leaned in and his lips pressed against hers. Savannah mustered up enough strength to push him so hard that he hit the door and stumbled out onto her steps. "Don't you ever!"

"You know you liked it!" Mike yelled back. He fixed his jacket and smiled at her. "Still got those same juicy lips, I see."

"Just get off my property before I call the police." She wiped her lips off.

Mike stormed back to the door and right before he jumped in her face, a force pulled him off the steps and down on the ground. There was a blur of activity and she heard mumbles and groans, but she could not tell who the other body was. She watched as the stranger grabbed Mike up and shoved him towards the driveway. Mike yelled a few expletives before he got back to his car.

The shadow approached her and Savannah backed into her house, not sure if she was next. When the body came closer to her steps, the porch light made it easier for her to make out Dwight's features. Other than a bleeding scratch on his face and his clothes being slightly wrinkled and dirty, he looked good. She ran into him and hugged him.

"Are you okay?" She scanned him for any other injuries. He pulled away from her.

"I'm fine. Are you okay?" He replied flatly.

Savannah stared at him questioningly. Did she miss something? Everything had been good between them lately except the business with Isabella's mother. But she was under the impression that things were okay. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." He turned and started walking back towards his truck.

"Wait!" She called after him.

Dwight stopped, but he didn't turn around. "What?"

"What do you mean, what? What did I do to you?" She reached her arm out and grabbed his.

"It doesn't matter at this point." He pulled his arm out of her hand and made his way to his vehicle again. This time, Savannah stood still, aware that her boys were still in the house, unattended.

"Dwight?" She screamed after him. He kept walking. Savannah, looked around frantically. He was getting ready to walk out of her life. She'd seen good men come and go and when they left, they were gone forever. She knew it would not take him long to find someone else to love because he was a good guy. "I love you!" She knew it was desperate, but it wasn't exactly a lie.

Savannah had been so caught up in her own feelings that she ignored the one feeling well up inside her that could have changed her life- love. Dwight lingered at his truck, his back to her. He leaned slightly against it for a few seconds.

Her breathing was shallow, not exactly sure what he was getting ready to do, not sure if she could handle it if he chose to go. There was no turning back now. She had said. and being the man that he was, Dwight would hold her to it. He pushed himself off the roof of his truck and headed back over to her, walking quickly. He grabbed her shoulders.

"Don't play Savannah," His warning didn't frighten her. It was more of a plea. She saw pain in his eyes.

"I'm not playing." She tried to look in his eyes but the fire she saw there could have consumed her. She looked down at her hands.

"Savannah, do say it, if you don't mean it. I don't have time for games." He searched her face.

"I mean it." Her heat beat so hard she swore she would look down at her chest and see it beating through.

His lips dove into hers and they stumbled back until they were leaning up against the house. "I saw you kissing him and I just didn't know what to think... I wanted to kill him." Dwight whispered through kisses.

Savannah held onto him breathlessly as his lips sought hers and after her lips were good and numb, she pulled them away and let his mouth explore her ears and her neck. "You don't have to worry about him. I don't love him anymore, I love you."

Dwight swept her up and carried her into the house. Once across the threshold, he looked down at her, animal lust boiling inside his eyes, his chest heaving vigorously, his body shaking uncontrollably.

"Let me check on my boys." She said, pulling herself away from their intense gaze. Savannah smiled and felt her body tingle as she kissed her sons and put them to bed. she was grateful that they were tired. After making sure they were okay, she closed their door and stood in the hallway, looking at Dwight. As he moved closer to her, she felt the anticipation almost choke her. There would never be another night like this.