Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
He downed the last of his bourbon and set the glass on the table. “I haven’t seen or talked to her since I dropped her off on Sunday.”
Beck eyed him knowingly. “Her choice, your choice, or a mutual decision?”
Drew exhaled a deep breath. “Mine.”
His brother frowned in confusion. “So, you’re telling me things were great, you had a fantastic time with her, and then…you just walked away?” His voice rose in a combination of shock and disappointment.
He already felt shitty enough without his brother pointing out the obvious, especially since Drew had spent the past week thinking about Georgia and resisting the urge to call or text her because he fucking missed her. He’d then remind himself of the reasons why it was smarter to let her go before either of them became more invested and started wanting…more.
“It’s just all so fucking complicated,” Drew muttered, and scrubbed a hand along in jaw in frustration. “Georgia deserves more than being with a man who works long, endless hours and doesn’t have the time to commit to a relationship. I’ve been down that route, and it didn’t end well,” he said. “Angie slept with another man because she felt neglected, and that was before I made partner.” He shook his head. “And to make matters worse, her father’s firm is a rival to McKenzie Goodwin.”
Beck drummed his fingers on the tabletop in thought, a habit Drew was used to. “Trust me, I get complicated more than most when it comes to wanting a woman I shouldn’t,” he said, referring to his own initially tumultuous relationship with Chloe, who’d been his ex-best friend’s sister and someone who should have been completely off-limits. “Except Chloe is the best thing to ever happen to me. If I was able to work through my issues with her brother so I could be with her, then you could do the same with Georgia’s father and deal with any conflict of interest that might arise. It all depends on how much you’re willing to sacrifice to be with her.”
That was the crux of Drew’s problem. He wanted Georgia, badly, and that desire hadn’t abated one iota since they’d parted ways. All those nuances he’d learned about her at the cabin stayed with him. Her fortitude when it came to taking risks that scared her, her vulnerable side that made him want to protect her—even though he knew she could take care of herself—and just how easy it had been for him to share some of his most personal and intimate life stories with her.
Connecting with her emotionally had been effortless, and she’d brought out a side to him he hadn’t known existed…she made him desire something in his life beyond work. Except his greatest fear remained. Could he balance a demanding job and a relationship without fucking it up?
The sacrifice Beck referenced would be time. Time that Drew would have to carve out of his hectic business schedule and make being with Georgia a priority. Something that would have to be a conscious choice, not an obligation as it had felt like with Angie. He already knew he wanted to try and find a balance that included work and a relationship with Georgia, because the thought of her being with anyone else made him more than a little insane.
“Look,” Beck said, cutting into his thoughts and bringing Drew’s attention back to his brother. “We’ve got that barbeque at Mom and Dad’s this weekend. It was something you were going to anyway, so why not invite Georgia and see how it goes with her out in the real world?”
Drew blinked. Beck’s suggestion was excellent. His weekend with Georgia in the Catskills had been living in a bubble, just the two of them in an intimate setting with no outside influences. Bringing her to the barbeque would give him an idea of what it would be like to truly date her. To see if their chemistry and connection could build into something more solid and real. Something that could weather the demands of his job and other obstacles thrown in their way.
Taking her to spend time with his family, who were the most important people in his life, was a huge deal for Drew. It was a significant step and one he didn’t take lightly, but if he was going to try to grow this relationship with Georgia, then he wanted to share that important aspect of his life with her, as well.
He parted ways with Beck a short while later, and as soon as Drew was in his car, he swiped open his cell phone and pulled up Georgia’s number, his thumb hovering over the connect button. As confident as he was in his daily life and at work, he couldn’t deny feeling apprehensive now.
He’d caught the disappointed look in her eyes when he’d walked her to her door, kissed her cheek, and left without a word about seeing her again. It didn’t matter that he’d insinuated he had no time for a relationship. He’d let too many days pass without contacting her in any way. She’d have every right to want to protect herself from being hurt by him again and say no to his invitation.