“That’s not why I’m hanging out with you,” I argue. “I have fun with you. I just… I think we got swept up in the moment and I need you to know I’m not capable of anything more.”
“Says every player.” She rolls her eyes.
“Says every person who’s been fucked over,” I volley. “You’ve been in one short relationship, so you don’t get it, but I was with Victoria for over ten years. She was my best friend for years before that. I loved her, and she screwed me. We went from agreeing to spend the rest of our lives together, to her lying and cheating on me.”
I release a harsh sigh and shake my head. “So, yeah, I sleep around now. Because being single gets lonely, but meaningless sex beats getting my heart smashed again.”
Georgia frowns. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, shouldn’t have judged you. I spent years in school getting bullied and picked on because everyone assumed I was being stuck-up and thought I was too good to hang out. Guys thought I was playing hard to get… I hated the way they judged and labeled me without knowing the truth, and I shouldn’t have done it to you.”
“People are shitty. Me included.” I shrug, and she grants me a small smile.
“You’re not shitty. You’re human.”
Fuck, she’s so damn forgiving. Whoever she ends up with is one lucky bastard.
“What do you say we go to lunch?” I suggest. “Neither of us has eaten.”
“I meant what I said. You don’t have to hang out with me.”
“And I meant what I said. I want to. I like hanging out with you. I’m not hanging out with you because I pity you. I’m hanging out with you because I want to.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes, now, c’mon. Get up, get ready, and let’s go get something to eat. It’s beautiful outside.”
“Okay,” she says. “I’ll be ready in twenty minutes.”
“I’ll go change.”
When I get to my room, I check my messages.
Lexi: What’s that supposed to mean?
Lexi: Hello?
Lexi: My sister and I are just fine.
Lexi:
Not wanting to cause shit, I text her back: You’re right, I shouldn’t have texted that. Sorry.
When she doesn’t respond right away, I click out of the message, get dressed, and then shove my phone into my front pocket. When I step out of my room, Georgia is already dressed and ready to go.
“I was thinking we could go to the farmer’s market,” I tell her once we’re in my car. “You mentioned finding some recipes to cook, so you could check for any fresh ingredients you need, and while we’re there we can get lunch.”
She smiles warmly at me. “That sounds great.”
While I drive, she plugs her phone into my car and plays deejay. When her phone goes off with a text, it dings throughout the car and pops up on my screen as Lexi.
“She’s sorry for bailing and wants to do a barbecue at her place tomorrow night,” she says, rolling her eyes. I hate that what was once hurt is now turning to anger for her.
“You know, she does have a new baby… I don’t think she’s purposely bailing on you.”
“I know,” she says. “I’m not mad at her. I just miss her, and I guess in a way, I feel left behind. We had that perfect path pact, and I didn’t think about what would happen if she found hers and I didn’t find mine.”
“You’ll find yours,” I tell her, reaching over and squeezing her thigh.
“Want to go to a barbecue tomorrow night?”
“Sure. Alec’s been busy too, and I’ve only really seen him at work.”
“Cool.” She texts her sister back then turns up the music.
When we get to the farmer’s market, we explore each of the booths. Georgia pulls up the recipes she found and buys several of the ingredients she’ll need.
“I think I got everything,” she says, popping a strawberry into her mouth. “I’m hungry. Where should we eat?”
I laugh that she’s actually hungry. I swear for every item she bought, we ate two. Most women I’m around are so worried about their weight, they eat like rabbits. It’s nice to be around a woman with an appetite.
“There’s a Greek restaurant at the end.” I point in the direction of where it’s located.
“Mmm… I love gyros.” She waggles her brows. “Let’s do it.”
We order our food, then find a table outside.
“Tell me something about you,” I say, taking a bite of my chicken gyro.
“I love reading.”
I snort. “No shit. Something else. Something I don’t already know.”
Georgia thinks for a moment. “I’m obsessed with The Fast and the Furious movies. I watch them at night when I can’t sleep. I think I’ve seen each of them at least a dozen times.”
“Those are the ones with that guy who died, right? Paul something or other…”