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)
Retrieving her cell phone, she pulled up his number, ever so mindful of not saying anything to offend him. As much as she wanted to tell Elliott to leave me alone, I’m not interested, she didn’t want to come across as a bitch and have that attitude get back to her father and cause tension or friction between her dad and a man he’d made junior partner at the firm. Or between Georgia and her parents. Because heaven knew, her mother would find out and begin her pressure campaign.
Her stomach twisted in knots as she very politely typed out, Thank you for the roses. They’re beautiful. Unfortunately, I’ve got a full week and won’t be able to make dinner. Thank you for thinking of me, though.
His reply came well over an hour later, which told Georgia he’d either been busy, or annoyed by her message. Probably the latter, considering the curt tone of his response: I understand. Maybe another time.
She should have felt immense relief that she was off the hook, but she knew a persistent man like Elliott wouldn’t be so easily discouraged.
* * *
As soon as Drew walked into The Back Door, he spotted his brother, Beck, sitting at a high-top table in the bar area of the casual restaurant, their choice of drink already ordered and delivered. Catching sight of Zach Dare, one of the owners of the place, who was also a friend, Drew lifted a hand in greeting as he made his way to Beck.
Drew had received a text a short while ago from his brother, saying he was in the neighborhood and had just parted ways with a client who’d been interested in purchasing a building nearby, and how about they grab a drink and a bite to eat?
Since it was after seven on a Thursday evening and he’d yet to eat dinner, Drew agreed, ready to leave work and relax a bit after a day full of meetings, negotiations, and facilitating a legal due diligence discussion for a client.
He slid onto the stool opposite Beck, and once Drew was settled in, he picked up his glass of bourbon. “Thanks for ordering for me,” he said, and took a drink just as one of the waitresses delivered a plate of sliders for each of them.
They dug into their meal, their conversation initially revolving around work—Drew and his current caseload, and Beck with his latest high-end real estate deal. Halfway through eating their burgers, his brother smoothly changed the subject.
“So, Chloe is dying to know how your weekend with Georgia went.”
Drew arched a brow and wiped his fingers on a napkin. “Is that the real reason you wanted to meet me for dinner? To get the goods for your wife?”
Beck shrugged. “I really was in the area for a client, but yeah, when I called Chloe a while ago to let her know I might be a bit late getting home, she suggested I meet you and find out what happened. I figured you’d rather talk to me than answer her twenty questions,” he said with a smirk.
Drew groaned and shook his head. He loved his sister-in-law, but she was way too invested in his love life…or rather, making sure he had one. According to his brother, Chloe just wanted Drew and Tripp to be as deliriously happy as she and Beck were.
“I took her up to the family cabin,” Drew told him, and finished off his last slider.
Beck stared at him in surprise. “Well, that’s…cozy. I didn’t realize Georgia was the outdoorsy type. I would think most women would prefer something more luxurious and upscale than a rustic cabin.”
“It was definitely a risk,” he admitted. “But we had a great time. I took her to Hunter Mountain and talked her into giving ziplining a try.” He felt a pang in his chest as he recalled the fun memory and just how much adventure, in and out of the bedroom, he’d been able to coax out of Georgia.
“Damn,” his brother said, sounding impressed. “I can’t even get Chloe to give ziplining a try the few times we’ve been there.” He placed his napkin on his empty plate and pushed it aside. “So, you had a great time…and?” he prompted.
He gave his brother a blank look, not sure he wanted to dig deeper into the aftermath of his time together with Georgia. “And what?”
“Come on,” Beck said with a groan, calling him out on his vague reply. “You know Chloe is going to want to know details. Like, if you’re going to see her again.”
Drew did his best to tamp down the dozens of regrets he’d dealt with since parting ways with Georgia. He kept telling himself he’d done the right thing, that he wouldn’t lead Georgia on and end up hurting her, but almost five days later, and those reassurances sat like lead in his stomach.