Georgie on His Mind

by Jennifer Shirk

  "Oh, Brad, you big dumb idiot!" she cried, swatting him on the arm. "How could you do that to me?"

  "I'm so sorry, Georgie. Walt was worried about you too. You know he loves you like a sister. I only asked him because I love you, and I didn't want any man taking advantage of you. I should have trusted your ability to take care of yourself more, but the whole Clay Hayes thing was the icing on the cake to what I'd been seeing in your life recently."

  She swiped at a tear that had escaped her eye and looked at him. "What do you mean by what you've been seeing in my life recently?"

  "Don't play dumb. You've been dating men that you-or any other woman for that matter-could never have a serious future with. I have eyes, Georgie. It's all about control with you. By hanging around all those losers you were guaranteeing yourself that you'd never fall in love."

  Georgie closed her eyes, trying to absorb what Brad was saying, but only thinking about Walt and how betrayed she felt. He didn't see her as anything more than Brad's little sister after all. Those kisses they'd shared. Was it just a way to stick closer to her? Oh, gosh, she was going to be sick.

  "I hope you can forgive me," Brad said.

  Georgie opened her eyes and looked over at him, sitting there with the sad soulful expression of a loyal basset hound. Despite her anger at him, she couldn't really blame him for being concerned. She had been avoiding relationships-and love. But with good reason. And this whole betrayal by Walt only affirmed why.

  "Oh, Brad, you were right. Kendall told me the same thing, but I didn't want to admit it."

  Brad nodded, then stood. "Look, why don't we talk about this later when we have time. You better get ready now."

  "No, I'm not really in the mood to go out anymore" Or face Walt.

  Brad lowered his gaze. "Sorry. Again, I didn't mean to ruin your night."

  "I should call Kendall and tell her. Walt won't feel the need to go now that I'm not, and Kendall may not want to be there by herself."

  "I'll go to O'Connell's with Kendall," Brad said.

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yeah," he said, looking anything but sure. "Look, I've been a lousy brother to you and a lousy friend to her. I might as well start making amends. Don't worry. Everything will be fine. I think I'm good. I mean I'm finally over her."

  Georgie let out a wistful sigh. She could only hope she'd get over her feelings for Walt just as quickly.

  Walt bounded up the steps of Brad and Georgie's condo, taking them two at a time, careful not to crush the bouquet of flowers he held. He wanted to do something special for Georgie, so on his way to pick her up he stopped by the florist. As soon as he saw the orange roses, they reminded him of her-warm as a sunset and sweet as citrus-and he had to get them. The clerk at the shop told him his choice symbolized passion and that giving a bouquet of orange roses denoted emerging romantic feelings and the desire to move a relationship beyond the stage of friendship.

  Perfect.

  Exactly what he wanted to convey to her. No more tiptoeing around the subject. He was in love with her, and he was going to tell her tonight.

  Walt heaved a grateful sigh that Brad's car was not in the parking lot. He didn't want to have to explain the flowersor his feelings-to his friend before he explained them to Georgie. He shifted the bouquet behind his back and rang the doorbell. When there was no answer, he rang the bell again.

  Where was she? He checked his watch. Seven o'clock. He was right on time.

  About to ring the bell again, he heard the deadbolt slide back, and then the door slowly swung open. Georgie stood in the doorway with her hair pulled up in a sloppy ponytail and her face devoid of makeup. Walt blinked as he eyed her up and down. Clad in a pink terrycloth robe and yellow slipper socks, Georgie hardly looked ready to go out. In fact, judging by the expression on her face, she hardly looked ready to let him inside.

  "What are you doing here?" she asked, frowning up at him.

  He wasn't sure what was going on, so he glanced behind to make sure she wasn't talking to somebody else. "What do you mean `what am I doing here'? I thought we were going to O'Connell's."

  Her gaze dropped to the hallway rug, and she shook her head. "I thought Brad called you. I'm not going to O'Connell's tonight. If you go now, you could probably still catch up with Brad and Kendall though" She stepped back and started to close the door.

  "Wait." His hand shot out before she could shut it on him. What the heck was going on? She was so distant, so cold. He felt he was losing her before he even had her. "I'm not going to O'Connell's if you're not."

  She snorted. "I figured as much."

  "I'm not sure what you mean"

  "Oh, Walt, just cut the dumb act, okay? Brad told me everything. You're a free man now. He doesn't want you spying and hanging around me anymore. And frankly, neither do I."

  Brad had told her he wanted Walt to spy on her? Walt's insides turned cold as he realized what she must think of him. "Georgie, let me in. We need to discuss this. I can explain."

  "There's no need. I understand perfectly. Brad asked for help in being a big brother to me, and you provided it just like the little loyal friend that you are. What's there to explain?"

  "No, there's more. Let me in, and I'll tell you"

  She hesitated, and for a moment he was sure she'd close the door in his face. But she stepped back grudgingly and allowed him to enter. He took the flowers out from behind his back and hurried in before she changed her mind.

  "Nice touch," she said, pointing to the roses. "Were they supposed to play a part in your `divert Georgie from her Clay Hayes date' operation?"

  Walt ignored her barb. He walked over to the coffee table and gently placed the flowers down. Georgie clearly was hurt and wanted nothing more to do with him right now, but he had to remain calm or he'd ruin any hope of a future together. "No. There was no scheme. I just wanted you to have the roses, to show you how I feel." He took a deep breath. "I love you."

  Georgie's face fell, and her shoulders stiffened. "Don't say that"

  His heart raced as he took a step closer. He reached out and stroked her cheek, dipping his head so she could see his earnestness. "But it's true"

  "No, it's not true" She backed away from him, lifting her chin, but not before he saw a flare of uncertainty in her eyes. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have agreed to spy on me"

  I wasn't spying. I .. " He turned away and raked his hands through his hair in frustration. "Look, I only agreed to help Brad because you're naive when it comes to men"

  She let out a huff and folded her arms. "Yeah, that seems to be the mantra that I've been hearing around here lately. Well, you'll be happy to learn-as I've already informed Brad-I can take care of myself. Thanks for the brotherly concern, though."

  "My concern isn't brotherly, Georgie. I love you. What more do I have to do or say?"

  "I think you've done enough" She walked over to the door and swung it open, indicating for him to leave. "Love isn't about controlling a person's life."

  "I wasn't trying to control your life. You're being irrational. If you'd just-"

  "If I'd just what? Let you and Brad keep me in a cocoon for the rest of my life? No thank you. I think you better go"

  Silence fell between them as he stood in the middle of the room. His gaze burned into hers, praying she'd wake up and see his point of view, but she quickly broke eye contact.

  So this was it? No further discussion? She was just going to push him away like an unwanted trespasser. He couldn't believe what was happening. She obviously didn't realize he wouldn't let her go so easily. Nothing was going to stop him from convincing her that they were meant to be together. For now he'd have to bide his time until she was in a better frame of mind.

  Walt dragged himself toward the door. As soon he stepped into the hallway, he turned around and couldn't resist trying one last time. "You know, Georgie, when a person cares about another person, they do things to protect them-sometimes crazy things. Act crazy. Love does that to people. I just didn't
want to see you get hurt"

  She gazed up at him, her eyes conveying a mixture of sadness and tears. "Yeah. Well, I'm afraid you're too late for that" Then she closed the door with a decided click.

  Walt came home from work with a headache. Business at the pharmacy was picking up, there was still some last minute finalizing to be done on the diabetes expo, and they were short on help since Georgie decided to use up her vacation days. No doubt, she was avoiding him. She didn't even want to call and speak to him. Instead, she went over his head and got approval to take time off from Al. Now not only their personal relationship was suffering, but their working relationship as well. He had screwed things up royally.

  Walt hadn't seen or spoken to Brad in a while either. Had Georgie mentioned anything to him about their fight? It seemed as if everything in Walt's personal life was falling apart. Thank goodness business was doing well at least. He and his uncle would be able to hold on to the pharmacy for a while if things continued like they had been. He could keep his house and stay in town. But he needed to get Georgie back in his life, or it would all mean nothing.

  Walt rubbed his temples, trying to decide what the next best plan of action would be with Georgie when he heard knocking. He looked up and frowned when he saw Brad through the screen door. Even though Walt hadn't seen him in a while, something in his friend's expression and stance had Walt thinking Brad was not here simply for a relaxed social visit.

  He walked over and opened the storm door. "Hey, what brings you by?" he asked, trying to keep his voice casual.

  "Georgie"

  A crushing sensation formed in Walt's chest-part guilt, part frustration, part misery. He must have hurt her pretty badly for her to confide everything to her brother. Obviously Brad hated him now too.

  "Clay Hayes and his entourage just picked her up," Brad continued. He sighed, then looked around the room with tired eyes. "You have anything to drink around here? I could use a cold beer."

  Walt blinked. "Wait. What do you mean Clay Hayes and his entourage just picked her up? The Clay Hayes date is tonight?"

  Brad looked at him with surprise. "Yeah. It was in all the papers this week. Where have you been?"

  Where had he been?

  Drowning his sorrows by throwing all his time and energy into the pharmacy. Walt had heard Dee and some customers discussing the upcoming celebrity date, but he had tuned their conversations out. He was too preoccupied with the business, missing Georgie, and feeling sorry for himself to care.

  Brad shook his head in disgust. "You should have seen what Georgie was wearing. That creep Clay Hayes looked as if he hit the jackpot when saw her standing there in those black knee-high boots of hers. If his bodyguard wasn't in the way, I would've decked him one right in that pointy chin of his."

  Georgie in knee-high boots? Walt closed his eyes and tried to block out that sexy image.

  And failed.

  "Oh, hell," he murmured.

  Brad nodded. "I know what you mean. But the guys handling Clay Hayes' police escort told me for security reasons their date won't be too private, so that's one less thing to worry about. Plus, Georgie is a lot tougher than I thought. You were right about that. It just drives me crazy that she's wasting her time with this whole escapade, you know?"

  Yeah. Walt knew. It was driving him crazy too. Mostly, because Georgie should be here wearing those knee-high boots for him and not for some soap star hack. But the whole situation was so typically Georgie. She went on that date to spite Walt. She obviously had strong feelings for him or it wouldn't matter so much to try to hurt him like this. Only, Walt didn't care about the date. He didn't care what she did, just as long as she would forgive him and love him back. Why couldn't she let go and admit her feelings? He wearily sat on his sofa and put his head in his hands, wishing he wasn't in love with such a stubborn woman.

  Brad walked over and plopped down next to him. "Hey, it looks as though you could use a stiff drink too. How about I go home, change, and meet you at O'Connell's? That'll cheer us up"

  "No, I don't think so," he mumbled.

  "Why not?"

  Walt heaved a frustrated sigh. There was no use in worrying what his friend thought anymore. It was time to be honest about his feelings and tell Brad the truth. "I love your sister," he said through his hands.

  "Yeah, me too. But don't worry. Georgie will be fine tonight."

  Walt popped his head up. "No. I mean I love her."

  "I know," Brad said sympathetically. "Me too. Now let's go-

  Walt raised a hand to cut him off. "No, Brad. You don't understand. I don't just love her. I'm in love with her."

  Brad looked as if he were about to say something but then his expression went blank, and he went very still. "Wait," he said, blinking. "What did you say? You mean ... ?"

  Walt nodded grimly.

  Brad sat back with a loud whoosh, and for several long minutes he stared off into space, his mouth hung slightly open, as if the hard drive in his brain suddenly crashed. Not quite the reaction Walt had wished for when he finally decided to break the news, but all in all Brad was taking the announcement better than expected.

  Brad shook his head, then finally refocused on Walt. He leaned in and grabbed a fistful of Walt's T-shirt. "Listen, you better be straight with me. Are you telling me you love my sister as in ... until death do us part?"

  Walt eased back, gingerly trying to pry out the few chest hairs Brad had managed to capture when he grabbed his shirt. "Yeah, I'm not kidding."

  "I'm not sure how I feel about this. I mean, you're like a brother to her."

  Walt shook his head. "No, Brad. You're her brother. I didn't mean to fall in love with your sister. But I've never loved anyone like I love her."

  "You and Georgie, huh?" Several beats went by, then a slow smile spread across Brad's mouth. He finally let go of Walt's shirt and slapped him on the back. "Well, all right then. So what are you doing here? She needs to know this. Go barge in on Georgie's date with Mr. Not So Wonderful and tell him to get his own woman"

  "I can't barge in on her date. That would ruin everything. Besides, I tried to tell her how I feel, but she's too mad at me to listen. It was her choice to go on that date. Now I have to step back for a while. She doesn't want any more interference in her life. Thanks to you, I think I've done enough of that"

  "Oh, I'm sorry, man. I didn't think she'd be mad at you too"

  "It's all right. You didn't know how I felt about her. I should have told you and her earlier anyway, but I was afraid to face those feelings myself."

  Brad nodded once and stood. "Listen, forget about O'Connell's. I'm going to head home now and wait for Georgie to get back from her date" He walked over to the front door and let himself out. "One more thing, Walt," he said through the screen. "You may not believe me, but I'm not going to interfere in your love life even though it does happen to in volve my only sister. Just ... don't hurt her. Or I will hurt you"

  Walt let out a little smile. "Believe me, I know what I'm getting into."

  "Well, thanks for being upfront with me-and her."

  "Yeah, a lot of good it's done me. She won't even talk to me now."

  Brad shrugged and dropped his gaze. "It's better to take that gamble with love and lose than to not gamble at all," he said sadly.

  As Brad walked away, Walt had a funny feeling that his friend had some experience behind that cliche he offered. Unfortunately, Brad's encouraging words still didn't make him feel any better.

  "One more picture!" someone shouted.

  In response, Clay Hayes wrapped his arm around Georgie's waist, bringing her in close-too close, in her opinion, considering she'd soon have an imprint of his belt buckle on her pelvis-and flashed a brilliant smile for the camera. Two more flashes went off, then the owner of the restaurant stepped outside and announced their table was ready. The cameramen groaned, but they started to pack up their equipment, since they weren't allowed in the dining area.

  Clay Hayes gazed down at her and tigh
tened his arms around her, unknowingly sending his belt buckle deeper into her skin. "Are you hungry?" he murmured.

  Hungry? He had to be kidding. Her thoughts were hardly on food. Becoming impaled in the middle of the sidewalk was at the forefront of her mind.

  "Starving!" she cried and shoved him away, hoping to prove her point, and perhaps stop any further bleeding. She quickly looked at her middle. Thank goodness everything was still intact.

  Clay smiled down at her. Whether it was because he found her enormous appetite amusing or he was just being polite, she couldn't be sure. He did seem like a nice guy, though, even better looking in person than on TV, and hardly the kind of womanizer Brad and Walt had portrayed him to be. Not that he was Mr. Personality. She quickly found out Clay-and his publicist-didn't have much of a sense of humor, especially when Brad proceeded to grill them on what he had in mind for their date tonight.

  Clay took hold of her free hand and led her inside the restaurant. Since she was more familiar with the town, Clay let her choose where they would eat. She chose the Purple Grape, a restaurant known for its trendy ambiance and winery, mostly because it was a favorite with the locals. She figured if the conversation between her and Clay ever lagged, she'd see someone she knew and be able to strike up more chitchat.

  As she followed Clay, she was comforted to see a few familiar faces from the pharmacy. They waved, and she happily waved back. Clay, on the other hand, kept his chin down and gaze focused on the hostess leading the way to their table. His lighthearted mood seemed to come and go with the camera, and she couldn't help but wonder what she'd gotten herself into.

  They were shown a nice quiet table in the corner of the restaurant, made even more private by several potted trees. Georgie sat down and opened up her menu, mentally kicking herself when her gaze went right for the dessert column. She saw white chocolate cheesecake and was reminded of when she and Walt had shared a piece the last time they'd been out together. Walt had called that night a special occasion since it was the first time they had been in each other's company without fighting. But that night had been special for another reason; it was the first time Walt had kissed her.