Chapter 49

Sunday morning stretched into Sunday afternoon, and Georgia decided it was her favorite day of the week. They snuck into an early movie, and she felt a wave of pleasure at how protected she felt when he placed his hand on her back to guide her through the door. She caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror and saw a silly smile on her face that she couldn’t wipe off. The good thing was that she saw a similar smile on his.

Halfway through the movie, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. She thought she might tear his clothes off right there in the theater. Instead, she took him to Mickey’s for a burger after the movie. Owen was behind the bar, back from Florida, and he raised his eyebrows when he saw them. She wasn’t surprised; this had to be the first man she’d brought to Mickey’s since Matt. Fortunately, Owen was on his good behavior, and aside from a few sly glances, he kept his mouth shut.

It was about five by the time they finished eating. Darkness was closing in.

“Georgia,” Jimmy said, “I don’t want to, believe me. But I have to go back.”

Her smiled faded. She looked down. She needed to slow down. Her heart was way ahead of her brain.

“I promised I’d cover for a guy who just had a baby.” He paused. “But what about Wednesday? I can take the day off.”

She looked up. Her smile was back. “What are people going to say?”

“About what?” he asked.

“About you taking so much time off?”

He thought about it and grinned. “Let them complain to the chief of police.”