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)
It was a rhetorical question, a statement that felt like a hard punch to his gut. She’d called him out, and she was right. He’d been so caught up in doing the right thing, that he’d failed to take all those other important details into consideration.
With all the incredible strength and confidence she’d found within herself the past few weeks, she gave him one last sad smile, then turned and walked to the door.
He watched her leave, a cold, hard knot of dread in his stomach. A voice screamed in his head, Don’t let her go, don’t fucking let her go…but he stood there, watching her leave. And when the door shut behind her, the quiet solitude that surrounded him was nearly suffocating.
What the fuck did he just do?
Chapter Sixteen
The moment Georgia walked out the door, Drew knew he’d made a huge fucking mistake. He poured way too much bourbon into a glass and sat down in the chair Georgia had occupied earlier, intent on letting the alcohol dull the pain in his heart and calm the chaos in his head.
The regret nearly choking him was overwhelming, and he felt torn in two different directions—between a career he’d worked so hard to build for himself, and the woman he loved. And he did love Georgia, in ways that he’d never, ever loved another woman. He thought he’d made the right decision to sever things, but considering everything she’d said, he’d royally fucked up.
He took a generous gulp of bourbon, relishing the burn as he swallowed. Gradually, with every drink of the liquor, the misery swirling inside of him dimmed to a blunt ache that allowed his swirling confusion to calm.
Exhaling a deep breath, Drew leaned his head back on the edge of the chair and closed his eyes. He could now process everything that Georgia had said to him without feeling as though his heart was being ripped out of his chest, and one thing became crystal clear. Georgia wasn’t Angie. Drew had been so hung up on the past he’d projected those fears onto his relationship with Georgia, assuming she’d come to resent him and his job.
But the biggest difference between Angie and Georgia was that deep, emotional connection he’d formed with Georgia, which was why the moment she walked out the door he felt as though his entire world had just been flipped upside down and inside out. Like he’d never be able to be whole and complete again. Just like taking his next breath, he needed Georgia in his life.
The hard truth of the matter was, he hadn’t been present in Angie’s life because he hadn’t been emotionally invested in them. Whereas, now that he had his blinders off, he could easily see himself married to Georgia, having a family with her, growing old with her…
His brother Beck’s voice sounded in his head, along with the one piece of advice he’d given Drew when they’d met for dinner at The Back Door and discussed Georgia. It all depends on how much you’re willing to sacrifice to be with her.
His brother would call him a dumbass for letting her go. Creating a stable, lasting relationship was all about sacrifices, and he finally knew he was willing to make those compromises happen to be with Georgia. There was no reason he couldn’t have it all, just like she’d told him. She was the one woman who complimented him so perfectly, and was absolutely irreplaceable. Without a doubt, he knew she was worth fighting for, every single day of his life.
But before he made those promises to Georgia, he needed to sober up for such an incredibly important conversation, and he also needed to settle things at work so he could give her the commitment she deserved.
* * *
Despite his faint hangover, Drew strode into work the following morning, no regrets lingering about his decision. When the meeting with his boss rolled around at ten, Drew entered Gregory’s office with the same determination and confidence he used to seal any multimillion-dollar deal.
They discussed a few client contracts they were working on before Gregory finally got down to the business Drew had been waiting for.
His boss leaned forward in his leather seat and clasped his hands on the desk. “So, the senior members and I are hopeful that you’ve made the decision to head up the legal team for EuroQuest,” he said.
He drew a long breath and spoke. “I gratefully accept,” he told his mentor.
Gregory rose to his feet and when Drew did the same, they shook hands, a pleased smile on the older man’s face. “I am thrilled,” he said. “I wanted the best person for the job on this project, and you’re it.”
“I appreciate your faith in me,” Drew said. “It has been an insane twenty-four hours while coming to a final decision,” he admitted.