Page 29 of The Game Changer (Knights of Passion #3)

Colleen gave her a long, flat look. “Savannah. This is Dylan Prosser. No way is it burgers and a beer at a bar. He’ll pick somewhere nice—understated but classy.

You need to dress accordingly.” She plucked a black dress from the pile, still swinging its price tag like a flag. “Behold. I present to you a miracle.”

Savannah blinked. “You haven’t even worn that. I can’t be the first.”

Colleen waved the concern away. “Please. Jon hasn’t taken me anywhere requiring a dress like this in over a year. It was a splurge. A fantasy purchase. And since I can’t zip the damn thing, you’re wearing it. On you, it’ll make him swallow his tongue.”

“It’s just dinner,” Savannah said again, louder this time, like the sound might convince her heart to slow down.

Colleen raised a brow. “Keep telling yourself that. What’s the harm, even if it is a date?”

Savannah sat down hard on the bed. “Because if it is a date, then this isn’t just sex anymore.”

Colleen sat beside her, dress in hand but forgotten. “Would that really be so terrible?”

Savannah turned toward her, voice low, barely above a whisper.

“He makes me want things I shouldn’t. Things I gave up.

A home. Belonging. Permanence. But he won’t stay, Colleen.

He’s a ballplayer. He’ll be gone before the ink’s dry on the next contract.

I can’t get hurt. Not again. And he… he could destroy me. ”

Colleen softened, her hand finding Savannah’s. “I don’t think he’s that kind of guy. And it’s been three years since Mark. Don’t you think you’re overdue for something good? Something real?”

Savannah gave a short, bitter laugh. “Real? Mark snored, farted, hogged the bed—and had a wandering eye.”

“You just described Carl.” Colleen grinned.

From the hallway, Lucy reappeared. “To be fair, Carl doesn’t cheat. That we know of.”

Both women stared at her, then burst out laughing. The kind of laughter that held a thread of sadness underneath.

“Oh, honey,” Colleen wheezed. “You haven’t been doing it right if that’s what you think. And Dylan? That man radiates bedroom talent.”

Savannah’s cheeks flamed so fast, she nearly choked. Her silence said everything.

Lucy crowed with laughter. “Knew it! Damn, girl. And he’s hot, rich, and clearly into you. If I were you, I’d ride that train all the way to donation-ville and get that rescue funded.”

Savannah’s blush turned to a scowl. “I’m not using him. I won’t.”

Lucy shrugged. “He’s used to it. Doesn’t mean you can’t offer a little sugar with your request.”

Colleen sent a sharp glare in Lucy’s direction before turning back to Savannah. “Okay, let’s say you don’t want to ask him for help. Fine. But then don’t talk dogs or the rescue tonight.”

Savannah blinked. “What else is there to talk about?”

Colleen gaped. “You’re kidding, right? Savannah. You are funny, smart, resourceful—talk about you. You’re more than just the rescue. You can talk about food, books, travel—anything.”

Savannah chewed her lip. “I suck at small talk. What if I run out of things to say?”

Lucy snorted. “God, I’d pay to be a fly on the wall for this date. Anyway, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“That leaves me with an entire universe of options,” Savannah muttered.

The dress slid over her like silk, whisper-light, hugging all the right places. Colleen zipped her up, and the two women stepped back to admire the transformation. Savannah barely recognized herself in the mirror.

The floral embroidery at the sheer neckline drew attention to her face, while the cut skimmed over her curves in a way that made her feel sleek, sensual. Sexy, even.

Something fluttered in her belly—nerves or anticipation, she wasn’t sure.

“Damn,” Colleen breathed. “That dress was made for you.”

“I have black strappy heels,” Savannah said, a little breathlessly, retrieving them from her closet and slipping them on.

Colleen nodded, approval written all over her face. “Perfect. You look amazing. And Savannah? I’m so glad you’re doing this. You deserve something more than your rescue. Mark was a jealous jackass who couldn’t handle that you had a purpose beyond him. Dylan’s not that guy.”

Savannah hesitated, adjusting a strap on her sandal. “He needs someone for Sadie. That’s all.”

Colleen crossed to her, hands on Savannah’s shoulders. “Really? Sleeping with him is part of your dog-sitting fee?”

Savannah opened her mouth. Closed it again.

“Exactly,” Colleen said. “So what if this is a date? So what if it becomes more? You’re allowed to have more than your cause. You’re allowed to be loved.”

Savannah’s voice dropped. “But when he leaves—and he will—what’s left of me?”

Colleen didn’t answer right away. She simply pulled her into a hug and whispered, “That’s what we’re all afraid of. But it’s better to live with the ache of love than the ache of never having tried.”

Savannah exhaled slowly. “I just… don’t know how to protect myself anymore.”

“Start by talking about something other than rescue tonight.” Colleen grinned. “And for God’s sake, don’t bring up poop bags.”

Savannah smiled faintly and turned back to the mirror. Her reflection stared back—poised, mysterious, softer than she remembered herself being in years.

“Okay,” she whispered. “No dogs. No rescue. Just dinner.”

But deep in her chest, something squeezed tight.

Because it wasn’t just dinner.

And she wasn’t just scared.

She was already halfway in love.