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)
That’s why she’d been so confused when, after, he’d grown quiet and distant, withdrawing from her in an obvious way. The abrupt change in his personality had her thinking maybe their expiration date had arrived. They were only supposed to have her birthday weekend together. He’d agreed to prolong their time together and try for something more, but maybe she’d gotten too deep with the star she’d bought in his sister’s name. Their lovemaking had been just that, and he’d clearly realized he wasn’t ready for an exclusive relationship after all.
He hadn’t said those words, though. In fact, when she’d asked if he was okay as she walked him to the door, he’d told her that he needed to figure a few things out, and they’d talk soon.
What the hell did that mean, anyway?
His unexpected shift in demeanor concerned her, but right now, she needed to resolve things with her father. Then she’d find out what was wrong with Drew. It would either be something they’d figure out together, or a decision he’d come to on his own, and it was a done deal. Either way, she needed answers.
Arriving at her father’s building, she parked her car and rode the elevator up to his floor. The elevator opened up to a lobby area, and the young woman sitting behind the desk was obviously expecting her. As soon as Jolie saw her, the friendly receptionist smiled and told her to go back, her father was waiting for her.
Georgia made her way through workstations and other offices. As she walked past the legal library and research area, an open space with bookshelves and tables and chairs, she caught sight of Elliott, who glanced up from the hardbound book he was skimming through.
He frowned upon seeing her. There was no mistaking the bitterness in his expression as he watched her stroll by, but Elliott’s mood wasn’t her problem, and she ignored him. She had more pressing matters than Elliott’s hurt feelings. It wasn’t like she’d led him on in any way.
When she arrived at Cynthia’s desk—the gatekeeper to her father’s inner sanctum—the other woman gave her an amicable smile. “Hi, Georgia. Go on in. He’s waiting for you.”
“Thank you.” She entered her father’s office, and the familiar, comforting scent of leather and musk and his cologne filled her senses.
He stood up, came around his desk, and greeted her with a warm hug. The kind of embrace that was the complete opposite of her mother’s detached and indifferent air kisses. It had always been that way. Warm versus cool.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” her father said, taking her elbow and guiding her to one of the leather seats in front of his desk.
She sat down, giving her father a wry smile and calling him out on his comment. “Is it really a surprise to see me?”
He chuckled and settled into the chair next to hers, instead of back behind his desk, which she appreciated. “I’ll admit I’ve been waiting for you to either call or stop by when you were ready to speak to me. Your mother told me all about your visit on Friday, though I’m sure her version of events was very one-sided and skewed to make her look like the victim.”
She blinked at him, startled by that statement coming from her father.
“Oh, come on, Georgia-Girl,” he said, using the nickname he’d given her as a child, his tone affectionate. “Don’t look so shocked. I know who your mother is. She’ll never admit that anything is her fault, so why don’t you tell me your side of things?”
Georgia wasn’t sure what to make of her father’s calm, rational response. She’d come to his office expecting to have to defend herself from whatever accusations her mother had made against her. Instead, her father was giving her the opportunity to speak without judgment.
“Did you have anything to do with wanting to set me up with Elliott?” she asked. “I mean, did you expect I’d just go along with things to make you and Mom happy?” She needed to know her father’s role in things.
He shifted in his seat, obviously uncomfortable. “Well, you hadn’t dated anyone in a while, so yes, I was the one who mentioned the idea to your mother, thinking how great it would be if you and Elliott hit it off and things worked out in a way that allowed the firm to stay in the family. But I never expected you to do something you didn’t want to do just to please us. It’s your mother who took the ball and ran with it, so to speak.”
“That’s one way of putting it,” she muttered. “Mother laid the guilt and manipulation on pretty thick, and even reminded me of the heart attack and triple bypass you had after I made the decision to switch majors in college and not go to law school.”