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)
There was only one way to find out. He tapped her phone number, let the call connect, and waited to see if she’d answer.
* * *
After leaving work for the evening, Georgia drove to Midtown Manhattan to the upscale French restaurant in the city where her mother had made reservations to celebrate Georgia’s birthday, since she’d been away the previous weekend with a “friend” as far as her parents knew.
It was Thursday evening, the only night that week when she, her parents, and Courtney had all been free to meet for dinner. Georgia hoped that the next few hours were relaxing and drama free.
A call came through on her car’s Bluetooth, the name “Drew Daniels” appearing on the display. Her heart leaped in her chest, and she did her best to tamp down the jolt of excitement that surged through her. She hadn’t heard a word from him since he’d dropped her off the previous Sunday, and she couldn’t help but be wary of why he was calling now.
She debated letting the call go to her voice mail, but she was too curious about his reason for contacting her, and if she were honest with herself, she wanted to hear his voice.
Exhaling a deep breath to calm her nerves, she connected the call. “Hello?”
“Hey, Georgia,” he said, his tone surprisingly tentative. “How are you?”
The question was a loaded one. How was she? Lonely, definitely. Annoyed that he’d consumed so many of her thoughts when she needed to get over him. Frustrated that he hadn’t been able to commit beyond their weekend together, even though he’d been honest about his intentions.
Her emotions had run the gamut, so she settled for a generic, neutral, “I’m great.” A blatant lie, but she wasn’t about to admit the truth.
“Good,” he replied, and hesitated for a moment before saying, “I’m calling to see if you’d like to go to my parents with me for a barbeque on Sunday.”
Georgia was so stunned by the unexpected invitation, she nearly slammed on her brakes in the middle of the street. “Why?” she blurted out.
“Fair question,” he acknowledged, considering his previous stance on seeing her again. “Because, quite honestly, I’d like to spend more time with you.”
His voice had dropped to a low, husky pitch, laced with the barest of uncertainty. As if he knew what a gamble it was to ask her out and risk her rejection after ending things once his obligatory weekend with her had been over.
When she didn’t give him a quick, resounding yes, he swore under his breath. “Okay, maybe I need to grovel a bit more,” he muttered.
She grinned to herself, enjoying this humbler side to Drew. “Yes, I think it might help your case if you do.”
“Look, I think maybe I was too hasty in ending things between us,” he said, his tone gruff. “It was a gut reaction based on my past track record with… relationships. But I can’t help but feel like you and I shared something special at the cabin, and I really want to believe that whatever is between us is worth pursuing. I don’t want any regrets where you’re concerned.”
Everything inside of her softened at his heartfelt words, and she could feel herself falling for him even more. “Are you saying you missed me?” she asked softly, flirtatiously.
He laughed, the sound playful and sexy, eliminating the last of anything awkward between them. “Yes, that’s implied, but in case you need to hear me say the words, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind all week. And if you’re going to distract the hell out of me, then I’d like to at least enjoy being with you. So please, say you’ll accompany me to my parents on Sunday.”
A thrill spiraled through her, even though she told herself not to read too much into the invitation, that it was nothing more than a fun, enjoyable outing. Still, it did involve meeting his family, something no one took lightly. But he wasn’t offering a firm commitment or any promises and she still needed to be careful and cautious with her heart.
“Yes, I’d love to go with you,” she said, wishing she didn’t sound so damn enthusiastic.
“Great.”
At last he seemed equally eager to see her again.
They settled on a time for him to pick her up on Sunday just as she turned into the restaurant parking lot and stopped at the valet. They said their goodbyes, and with a pep in her step, she headed into La Grenouille. A text from her mother came through, letting her know that they were already seated, so she gave the host her last name, and the gentleman led her to a table in one of the back rooms.
Her steps slowed, and her stomach pitched when she realized that there was an extra unexpected guest joining the family. Pasting on a smile, she hugged her mother and father, then Courtney, while whispering into her sister’s ear, “Why didn’t you warn me?”