Georgia left work early Monday afternoon and headed to her father’s office. She’d called earlier and talked to his secretary, Cynthia, who’d assured Georgia her father did not have any important meetings or scheduled calls. She wanted to catch him at work so she didn’t have to head to the house and deal with her mother again since, as expected, Nina was still giving her the silent treatment after their conversation. She’d asked Cynthia to let her father know to expect her around four in the afternoon.
Georgia drove to the firm’s building and tried not to think about Saturday night with Drew, since the evening had already consumed most of her thoughts for the day. Of course, she was unsuccessful. Together, they’d shared a perfect evening at the observatory, and an even better night when they’d returned to her apartment. The sex between them had been markedly different, more intimate, with an emotional component she’d felt to the depths of her soul.
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.”
He looked appalled that Nina had blamed Georgia for his health issues. Finally, he shook his head. “I can’t deny that your choice disappointed me, but you changing majors had nothing to do with me having a heart attack.” He let out a long groan. “As for Elliott, I never thought your mother would take things so far. Apparently she was operating behind my back, more determined than even I realized to get you two together.”
Georgia nodded, relieved to know her father hadn’t been manipulating her too. She crossed her legs and exhaled a deep breath. “I went to see her on Friday to set things straight, and I guess I’m here to do the same with you.”
He held up his hands, palms out. “There’s nothing to set straight, Georgia. It’s your life, your decision, and I respect that. Of course, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’d love for this firm to somehow stay in the family, but that’s not your burden to carry.” He lifted one shoulder and shrugged. “As it turns out, one of the senior partners has mentioned he’s interested in buying me out when I’m ready to retire, so that’s always an option.”
“Just not one that makes Mom happy,” I pointed out.
“No, but what matters most to me is your happiness, Georgia.” He reached out and took the hand she had resting on the arm of the chair, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I would never want you to do anything that would make you miserable, or expect you to do something out of some sort of obligation or expectation. And I’m very sorry your mother doesn’t feel the same way and has been torturing you over it. But I am very proud of you for not letting her walk all over you.”
The apology in her father’s voice was genuine, and it was at times like these that her parents seemed so mismatched in their priorities. As an attorney, her father had a strong, tenacious personality, and he didn’t suffer fools, yet at home, he didn’t always call his wife on her behavior…maybe to avoid an argument or confrontation? Georgia didn’t know.
She didn’t understand most of the dynamic between her parents, and it wasn’t her place to analyze their marriage, or even question it. But there was one thing Georgia had realized. Her mother wasn’t truly happy. Her husband gave her everything she wanted…except his time and attention. And those tangible things didn’t make up for the lack of emotional connection, and Georgia had to wonder if her mother was trying to find her own happiness living through and at the expense of others.
“Elliott mentioned that you might be seeing Drew Daniels,” her father said, pulling Georgia out of her thoughts.
Georgia was no longer shocked that Elliott had leaked that bit of information to her father. She didn’t like the man at all, and still didn’t know what her father saw in him, but her dad had the right to hire whoever he wanted. It wasn’t Georgia’s decision, and now that she’d put clear-cut boundaries between herself and Elliott, she no longer cared.
“I take it you know who he is?” she asked, since her father said Drew’s name with such familiarity.
He laughed. “Of course I do. He’s got quite an impressive reputation as a merger and acquisition attorney. His firm and ours were in negotiations with a company looking for a legal team to represent them in an eight-billion-dollar merger. They chose Drew’s proposal over Elliott’s, so he essentially stole the deal right out from under Elliott.”
Georgia frowned. “Stole it?”
“Oh, it was all legal, of course,” he said with a wave of his hand. “But it was a huge loss for our firm and for Elliott, who took it pretty badly. It’s kind of hard to forget a loss like that one, not to mention the man savvy enough to pull it off.”
Georgia found that bit of information enlightening. It certainly explained some of Elliott’s jealousy and pettiness toward Drew.
After her conversation with her father, Georgia walked out of his office, only to be stopped by Elliott. He’d stepped out of a conference room and blocked her way.
“Excuse me,” she said in a terse tone, expecting him to move.
He didn’t. Instead, he stepped closer, unmistakable resentment narrowing his eyes. Any niceties or pleasantries that might have existed between them, even if only on a surface level, were gone.
The corner of his mouth turned up in a cruel smile. “You do realize that the only reason Drew Daniels is dating you is to get back at me, don’t you?”
Georgia rolled her eyes at his outrageous claim. “Whatever you say,” she said, refusing to get into any argument. They were alone for the moment, but she had no desire to make a scene in her father’s firm.
Even knowing the source of Elliott’s grudge with Drew, she didn’t believe for a second Drew was using her. Being vindictive and vengeful wasn’t in Drew’s nature. Even when he’d known Elliott had been trying to pursue her, Drew had never bad-mouthed his colleague. Elliott was the one with the malicious, jealous attitude as he tried to make Drew look bad in her eyes, but that wasn’t going to happen.
She lifted her chin. “I don’t appreciate you harassing me. Please step out of my way so I can leave.”
Still, Elliott didn’t budge and continued his rant. “Drew doesn’t want you, except maybe to fuck around with,” he said with an awful sneer that sent chills down her spine. “Maybe I was just going about things the wrong way with you. If I’d known you were such a whore, I’d—”
Furious at his gall, Georgia cut off his words with a hard slap across the face, one that made his head snap to the side and her own palm sting from the force of her blow. Her handprint immediately bloomed bright red on his cheek, and when he glanced back at her, his eyes darkened with rage.
“Bitch,” he hissed spitefully, his entire body tensing with fury.
For a moment, she thought Elliott was going to lunge, and she inhaled a deep breath, preparing to scream.
“Elliott!” Georgia’s father’s voice boomed loudly, and she and Elliott jumped at Roland’s unexpected presence down the hall. “I’ve seen and heard enough! Don’t you ever threaten my daughter again. Get in my office,” her father ordered Elliott. “Now.”
Elliott’s anger quickly morphed into fear, his eyes wide, remorse all over his expression. No doubt, he’d just realized he’d put his career in jeopardy. Averting his gaze, he kept his mouth shut as he did as her father had ordered. Head down, he strode in the direction of his boss’s office.
Georgia’s father approached her, and she was suddenly aware that a few other employees had stepped out of their offices to see what was going on.
“Are you okay?” Her father placed his hands on Georgia’s arms, his worried gaze scanning her face. “Did he touch you at all?”
She shook her head, still shaken by the whole incident. “No. I’m the one who slapped him because of what he said to me.”
“He deserved it,” her father growled protectively. “I heard and saw it all. I promise you, this will never happen again. I don’t employ people with volatile tempers and anger management issues, and clearly, that’s the case with Elliott.” He shook his head. “I don’t know how I misjudged him for so long.”
“Ambitious people know how to hide their true selves, Dad.” Georgia didn’t feel bad that Elliott had just gotten himself fired, considering he’d instigated the entire confrontation, the idiot. “Do you need me to stay?”
It was the last thing Georgia wanted to do, but she wasn’t sure if her father needed a statement from her for human resources to back up his decision to terminate Elliott’s employment.
Her father pulled her into his warm embrace and kissed her temple. “No. You can go. I’ll take care of things.” He released her and stepped back, his expression apologetic. “And again, I’m sorry.”
She nodded, appreciating her father’s kindness and caring. If it were her mother in this situation, Georgia was fairly certain she would have made excuses for Elliott’s reprehensible behavior.
She said goodbye to her father, and headed for the parking garage.
At least she’d never have to face Elliott again. The knots in her stomach eased as she slid into her car and exhaled a deep breath to calm her frazzled nerves.
Closing her eyes, she recounted her successes. She’d talked to her mother, resolved things with her father, and now there was only one person left she needed to speak to. Drew.
She didn’t believe a word Elliott had said about him, but considering what she’d just gone through with Elliott, she wanted to hear Drew’s side of their history and obvious one-sided rivalry. Then, she needed to talk to Drew about something even more important. Them.
Georgia wasn’t a casual dater or someone who could handle a “friends with benefits” type arrangement. Not when her heart was involved. And it was. Very deeply. As difficult as it would be to walk away from him, she couldn’t keep seeing him without the security of knowing they were headed toward something more meaningful.
She deserved a commitment and the reassurance that he was in this relationship as deeply as she was. Right now, she was in a place of limbo, and she needed answers, even if they weren’t the ones she wanted to hear.
She pulled her phone from her purse and sent him a text: I’d like to speak to you in person. Can I come over to your place when you get home from work?
His response came shortly after: Yes. I’ll be home by seven. I need to talk to you, as well.
And there it was, she thought with a sinking feeling in her stomach. The dreaded talk. The beginning of the end. There was no other reason she could think of that he’d need to speak with her. Not after how withdrawn and distant he’d been when he’d left her Saturday night.
His behavior had been a warning, and as much as she wanted to fight for their relationship, she couldn’t do that if it was all one-sided. But she intended to give it her best shot.