She lifted her hand and waved him over, giving him that smile that had tormented his dreams on more than one occasion.
Chapter Three
Georgia gripped the arm of her father’s ancient desk chair as she waited for Justin Reed to step through that door. More than a few years had passed since she’d seen him last and their parting hadn’t been pleasant. She’d met his gaze across the bar—distance and shadows playing havoc with her vision, making it impossible to discern his features. Was he balding like so many men his age? Had he put on a few pounds? She glanced at the dark computer screen and pinched her cheeks, hoping for the best but knowing she often wore the bags of exhausted motherhood beneath her eyes these days.
“Hey, Georgia.” Justin stepped inside the door, a beer in his hand. Much to her dismay, he’d aged to perfection. Broad shoulders in a smoky gray T-shirt made his blue eyes smolder and emphasized the muscular outline of a fit body and slender waist. She dared not venture any further down, too easily remembering the bliss she’d experienced as she’d wrapped herself around him.
“Hey,” she forced out through the rapid tattoo of her heart. Her fingers tingled with the memory of his flesh against hers. It had been a long time since she’d been with a man--longer still with the man to whom she’d first given her heart and soul. “I wasn’t sure you’d make it with all your teacher responsibilities.”
He smiled, quickly ducking his head to conceal a bashful grin. The dimple she remembered on his left cheek was now covered by a soft, light brown beard, shaved close enough to send gooseflesh to rise where it would leave a sensational burn on her sensitive skin.
“Yeah, well, school’s out for summer, as the old song goes.” His gaze rose to hers. Heat sparkled in those blue orbs. She didn’t need to ask to know his thoughts had traveled the same route as hers to that long and very hot--in more ways than one—summer that they’d spent together. Georgia cleared her throat.
“I see the committee is out there waiting on us. Probably don’t need to give them something to talk about, huh?” She rose from the desk. He stood aside, waiting for her to walk ahead. “Thank you, sir,” she said, edging past him with a quick smile.
“Georgie,” he said quietly.
The nickname stopped her in her tracks. They stood toe-to-toe in the doorway. Barely a breath could pass between them. His gaze lingered on hers a moment longer.
“It’s good to see you,” he said finally.
She held his eyes, watching his face lower to hers. Grabbing what wits she had left, she scooted through the door. “We’d better get this meeting started. I’ve got work to do.”
She purposely distanced herself, taking a chair across the table from Justin. Seated on the other side of Jolie, Georgia tried to keep her focus on her notes and ignore Jolie’s overt attempts to flirt with Justin, trying to do the same with his darted looks to come to his rescue. The group quickly covered what Langley’s would bring in terms of equipment and staff, and when they would need access to the building to set up before the reception.
Georgia noted that the more Jolie drank, the looser her tongue became--and so, too, any inhibitions the woman might have possessed. Jolie had removed her summer cardigan that she’d worn over a very revealing skimpy sundress, then dropped her arm over the back of Justin’s chair, now and again rubbing his shoulder.
“You know what, I have a confession to make,” she said with squeaky giggle.
“Maybe that you’ve had one too many appletinis tonight?” Maddie interjected. As president of the senior class, she’d run a tight ship. Presently, however, Jolie gave new meaning to the term ‘tight’.
In true high-school fashion, Jolie stuck her tongue out at her classmate, then giggled again. She looked from Jake to Justin and a wicked smile parted her red lips. “You boys remember the Friday night potlucks we used to have in the neighborhood during the summers?”
Justin glanced at Jake, who had leaned back in his chair, nursing his bourbon and water. His gaze was on the woman who held everyone’s attention.
Jake grinned. “We did have some good times, as I remember.”
Georgia closed her notebook and prepared to leave. The whole situation seemed surreal. She’d gotten over the wildfire of rumors that had circulated for a time about her and Jake. They’d stung, but she was tough. Honed by fire, her aunt had told her when she’d slip into self-pity. She knew the truth of what had happened that night and that was all that mattered. She glanced at Justin, wondering if he’d even been aware of the rumors. Jolie’s next words stopped her train of thought.
“There was a whole lot of hankie-pankie going on at some of those parties, as I recall.” She leaned forward and gave Jake a wink. “Course, back then you weren’t married.” She nudged Justin’s arm. “Neither were you. But I was never very good at getting your attention back then, was I?” She traced her finger along the edge of his collar.
Justin’s eyes met Georgia’s.
“But I did manage to get your brother’s.” She sat back then and pouted her pretty red mouth. “I wanted you both. Just for comparison’s sake, of course. And poo on you, Justin Reed, you just couldn’t be bothered.”
Mac choked on his beer. Maddie stared slack-jawed at Jolie.
Jolie shrugged. “What girl doesn’t fantasize about a ménage at least once?”
“Okay, that’s it for tonight.” Maddie stood. “Enough treks down fantasy lane.” She directed her look at Georgia. “We’ll have the Trolley Barn open by three o’clock for you and your team.” Maddie slammed her folder shut. “Meeting adjourned.”
“Hey, why don’t we head back to my place for a nightcap?” Jake suggested. “Faith had a party tonight. I’m sure there are some great leftovers.”
Jolie attempted to stand, grabbing Justin’s arm as she teetered on her spike-heeled sandals. “Oh, dear, I think I’m going to need a ride.” She leaned her chin on Justin’s shoulder.
He glanced at Mac. “You’re the only one besides me and Maddie who should even be behind a wheel. You do the honors,” Justin said, prying Jolie’s hand from his arm. “I have something I need to do.”
Jolie frowned.
Mac, on the other hand—divorced once and with no prospects on the horizon--dove at the opportunity to play the white knight. Everyone except Jolie, it appeared, knew how Mac had carried a torch for her since high school.
“Absolutely,” he said, and skirted around the table to grab Jolie’s sweater. He held out his elbow. “Your chariot awaits, m’lady.”
Stumbling as she walked past, Jolie stopped and put her hand on Georgia’s arm. “How is that precious little boy of yours?”
Kolby was not a topic Georgia chose to discuss in public, and certainly not with a classmate who hadn’t proven her trustworthiness--sober or not.
“He’s fine, thank you for asking,” she answered firmly.
Jolie seemed to want to belabor Georgia’s discomfiture. “What is he now, about three or four? It must be hard doing what you do as a single mom. I mean, running a business and all--your clients surely keep you busy night after night.”
It was a veiled slap in the face and Georgia straightened her shoulders, battling the desire to knock Ms. Jolie on her bony little ass.
“Take her home, Mac,” Justin ordered, steering Jolie towards the door and all but sticking his boot in her backside.
“Sorry, Georgia,” Maddie said, shaking her head. “Some people never seem to make it past high school emotionally.”
Jake hung back and smiled as he placed his arm around Justin. “Jolie really likes you, man.” He punched his shoulder. “You sure you don’t want to take her home yourself?”
Justin narrowed his gaze on his brother. “What about that woman makes you think I’d have any interest? Jesus, Jake, she needs help.”
Jake shrugged. “Just trying to get you to have a little fun while you’re here.”
“Yeah, well, don’t,” Justin warned.
Georgia kept her gaze to the floor as
Jake walked by. The rumors that she’d slept with him had spread like wildfire just after the incident at the bar. It had been twice that a Reed male had humiliated her, never refuting the gossip, never showing any gratitude for the kindness she’d shown. But what would be the point of dredging up the past? They all had moved on with their lives.
“Good to see you, Justin,” she said and managed to skim past his outstretched hand as he tried to stop her. She hurried back to the office and shut the door. What had she been thinking? Had she thought that she could easily dismiss her emotions? That she’d feel nothing at seeing him? She survived losing him once--had even learned to love again, only to have that, too, snatched away. But she had Kolby and he was the only man she needed in her life.
A knock sounded on the door before Justin gently opened it and stuck his head in. “Tank warned me that he has his eye on me. Should I be concerned?”
Georgia’s best-laid plans to not get involved with Justin Reed sputtered like air from a balloon. She brushed her hair back. “Come on in. It seems we have some things we need to talk about.”
He stepped in and shut the door.
“I’ve only got sweet tea.” She led him into the small apartment. She now lived with her aunt who helped with Kolby’s specific needs, but she’d kept the apartment as a sanctuary when she needed time to rejuvenate. “How have you been?” she asked, pouring his tea.
“Okay. Good.” He stood at the entrance, uncertain whether to come in. “You?”
“Come on in.” She handed him a glass of tea and ushered him to the couch. She chose a chair across from him. After an awkward minute or two, she tried to cut some of the tension she felt. “So, almost ten years. Pretty amazing. You married?”
He held his glass between his hands, not looking up. He shook his head, then sighed. “Listen.” He looked up and she was caught in his gaze. “I don’t have any right to ask this, but I’m curious.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a pensive smile.
Georgia steeled herself. She had a pretty good idea what he was about to ask.
“I was wondering about you and Jake.”
So, he had heard. She met his steady gaze. “Me and Jake?” She feigned ignorance about what he was talking about.
He raised his brows. “I heard after I left that things got friendly between the two of you. Which I found odd since you told me last time we were together that my father tried to keep you from me. Apparently, it didn’t count with my brother.”
Georgia shook her head. “Don’t be an ass, Justin.” She looked away and sighed. “Besides, what do you care? You were up north with that friend of yours, Leslie somebody.”
“Reverend Cook,” he corrected her.
“Yeah, well, pastors have needs too, so I understand.”
He stood and held out his glass. “You have anything stronger than tea?”
“I do, but neither of us is going to drink anything stronger than tea. I remember what happened last time.” She held up her glass. “Tea only.”
“Fine.” He sat down and draped his arm over the back of the couch. “For the record, Leslie and I dated a total of once, back in college. It bombed and we chose to stay friends.”
She waved his comment away. “That’s none of my business.”
“Like what happened between you and Jake is none of mine, you mean?” He shrugged. “Not that I blame you, of course. He can be as charming as a snake.”
That hit hard. Harder than she’d anticipated. He’d apparently bought into the rumors and like everyone else had, believing that the rebellious girl she once was hadn’t changed since high school. “Okay, I’m only going to say this once, and then you have to promise me you’ll leave.”
A flicker of hesitancy passed through his blue eyes, but then he nodded.
“And for the record”--she used his phrase--“you walked out on me. We weren’t dating then, we aren’t dating now. But out of respect for the friendship we had, I will share this once.”
He looked at his shoe. “Okay, fair enough.”
For reasons, she dared not toy with, he seemed to need an explanation. To speculate why was to play with fire. “Okay, I was working my shift when Mac and your brother came in with a few of the guys. They were making the rounds for his bachelor party, and we were the last stop.”
Justin leaned back. He seemed to be listening, but his gaze was where his boot crossed over his knee. Cowboy boots were new but not out of place on him. He’d always possessed the qualities of a true cowboy in addition to his deep love of horses--he invoked the qualities of honesty, hard work, and kindness that she’d long admired and loved about him.
“They’d been drinking and the beer and bourbon had been flowing pretty freely. Jake came over to talk with me at the bar. He’d had a few so I listened and he felt the need to explain the grievous mistake he’d made in telling your dad about us. He told me he felt bad that he’d been the cause of our break-up.”
Justin swiped his hand over his mouth, tossed her a quick glance, and sighed.
In a strange way, Georgia now understood why Justin needed to hear this from her. They’d been in love once. This was his brother. The rumors must have been as painful for him as they’d been for her. She needed to clear the air, so that they could get on with their lives.
“At the time, I had just lost someone very special to me and I suppose I was vulnerable. Maybe I wasn’t thinking clearly, I don’t know.” She wanted to move to his side, take his hand, but she dared not make such a move. Not knowing his reaction, it was best to keep things platonic. “Jake and I were talking. He was actually telling me what was going on with you. How much you loved Montana, like your mom. How you used to love the fishing trips with your uncle and he how much he hated the outdoors.”
Justin’s brow furrowed and he looked at her, holding her gaze. “The next thing we knew, his friends had left him. Maybe it was a prank.” She shrugged. “Maybe they thought he was going to get lucky.”
Justin looked away.
“I took his keys and offered to drive him home. He didn’t want Faith to see him like that. So, I took him instead to the little motel that used to be down the road. While I was helping him inside, he got sick. I got him out of his shirt so it wouldn’t stain the bedspread. While I was rinsing it in the bathroom, he fell onto the bed and passed out cold.”
Justin shook his head.
“I laid the shirt over the chair to dry, locked him and his keys in the room, and walked back to the bar to finish my shift.” She stopped long enough to gauge Justin’s reaction. Though in all probability, it didn’t seem to matter in the big picture of things. He had his life in Montana. Her life was here with her son and what was left of her family. “To be honest, this is the first time I’ve seen Jake since that night.” She shrugged. “For all I know, he doesn’t even remember how he got to the hotel.”
“He must have known, Georgia. It was Mac who told me about it at Jake’s wedding.”
“Wow, okay, you’ve known this since the wedding? Well, I imagine Mac’s story was far more exciting, right?” She stood and walked to the door that led to the back of the lot. Opening the screen, she walked out and stood on the small porch. She sensed him standing at the door, staring at her. “You know,” she said, “if it had concerned you so much, you could have picked up the phone, or sent me an email.”
“That didn’t seem to work too well for me last time,” he said.
Burn. She looked over her shoulder. “You could have tried.”
Silence stretched between them.
“You have a child?” he asked.
The question was out of the blue. Unexpected.
“It’s none of your concern, Justin.” She turned and opened the door. “If you’ll please leave, I have a lot to do. I do hope this helps you to move on.”
He stepped outside and looked at her, seeming to study her face. She looked into those clear blue eyes, remembering the look of adoration she’d once seen in them. A different place. A different time.
He gave her a pensive smile. “Yeah, looks like we’ve both moved on.” He leaned forward and placed his lips on her forehead as he’d often done when they’d dated. It was a comforting gesture to her. Tears pricked at the backs of her eyes.
He walked across the gravel lot, disappearing around the corner. With his departure came a renewed sense of loss.
***
Justin arrived home to find the French doors to the patio open and his brother sitting alone in the dark. He had a drink in his hand.
“How’d it go with Georgia?” he asked, not turning around.
Justin sat down opposite Jake. He glanced at the glass as Jake swirled the ice.
“It’s water, in case you’re wondering,” he said, as though answering Justin’s silent concern.
“We managed to get a few things cleared up,” Justin said.
“Yeah? You mean like the rumors that Mac started after my bachelor party?”
Justin straightened. “Wait. You knew about that?” Justin leaned forward and peered at his brother. All this time he knew and never thought to refute it? At the very least, mention the fact?
“Yes, but until this moment, I hadn’t realized that you’d heard anything. Mac was the only person I spoke to about this--him and Faith. And Faith isn’t the type to spread rumors.” Jake’s steady gaze held Justin’s. “Nothing happened that night, I swear. Georgia saved me from an embarrassing situation all around.”
Justin shook his head. So much time wasted. “I don’t know if you realize it or not, but those rumors came back to Georgia. They hurt her reputation, her pride. She didn’t deserve that.”
“I don’t know what Mac was thinking,” they said simultaneously.
Justin looked at his brother. It was the first time in ages that it felt like they were on the same page.
“I had no idea the rumor had gotten back to Georgia. I’m going to give Mac a piece of my mind,” Jake said.
“I’d like to give him a piece of my fist,” Justin remarked.
Georgia On My Mind (A Magnolias and Moonshine novella Book 7) Page 5
