Georgia had never felt anything like this before. It was as if someone had finally opened her eyes to the world in front of her, and all she could see—and feel—was Landon.
When they finally, slowly withdrew from each other, Georgia smiled. She had never kissed anyone like that before, and she had never been kissed by anyone like that before. She suddenly felt shy, and her cheeks grew warm. “So,” Georgia said, Landon’s hands still caressing her face as she leaned back to get a better look at him. “That’s what it’s supposed to be like.”
Landon smiled, looking at her freckles. “I like these.” He ran his thumb across her nose and onto her cheek.
Georgia giggled. No one had ever told her before that they liked her freckles.
He leaned in close again, and kissed her on the bridge of her nose where the sun had dappled her most with freckles, his stubble grazing her cheek.
Just then, Georgia felt something cool and wet touch the back of her knee. Stepping back from Landon, she looked down at Millie, who was looking back up at her earnestly. “I swear this dog has an alarm clock,” Georgia said, reaching down to pat Millie.
“Is it time for you to go?” Landon asked, not bothering to conceal the disappointment in his voice.
Georgia nodded, sighing. “Yeah. I should probably get home…before my dad does.” She looked down at her wet blouse and shorts.
“I’ll walk with you.” Landon held out his hand.
Georgia took his hand and they walked back through the trees and into the park. It was close to dinnertime now, and although it was finally cooling off from the hot day, Georgia was thankful for her wet clothes that continued to cool her skin as they walked.
“So what do you do around here when you’re not working?” Landon asked as they walked through the park.
Georgia reflected on his question. Life seemed so dull now before she met him. She couldn’t imagine this summer without him. “Um…I love to read. I walk with Millie most nights. I spend a lot of time with my sister and nieces.” She hoped her response didn’t sound as lame to him as it did to her.
“That’s right. Your sister, her name’s Virginia, right?”
Georgia nodded, remembering how he and Virginia had been in the same class. “Did you know her very well in high school?”
Landon shook his head. “I didn’t. She and I were in, well, different crowds.”
Georgia remembered how Virginia said that Landon didn’t have too many friends back then. “What do you mean?”
“Well, your sister was in the more popular clique. And I wasn’t. Plus, she was always dating Monty, which made her even more…inaccessible.”
“Inaccessible?” Georgia raised her eyebrows.
“Maybe inaccessible isn’t the right word. Monty was always rather…possessive of her. From what I recall, she didn’t have much time for anyone or anything else other than him, and that’s the way Monty liked it.”
Georgia nodded in agreement, remembering how Monty had always been a little fixated when it came to Virginia. Nearly every passing period one could see Monty with his arm around Virginia in the hallway, leaning against the lockers. “I would agree with that.”
“Yeah, they were quite the pair,” Landon said.
“They were,” Georgia said reflectively. “It’s just so strange how it all turned out for them.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, you don’t know what happened?” She was surprised that he wouldn’t have heard since it was the hottest gossip around Willow Creek for months after the fact.
“I’m not sure I know the whole story,” Landon clarified.
“Virginia and Monty had planned to marry just after they finished high school. But when Virginia found out she was pregnant senior year, obviously things changed.” Georgia paused. “You knew she was pregnant, right?”
“Yes, I knew that,” Landon replied. His eyebrows were furrowed as he waited for her to tell him more.
“Regardless of their unplanned pregnancy, they still wanted to get married. They talked about a wedding in the fall after she delivered earlier that summer.” Georgia sighed. “Well, shortly after graduation, Virginia had her babies. Twins,” she added, thinking of her dear nieces, Charlotte and Ella Mae.
“I had heard that,” Landon said.
“But only a few days after they were born, Monty left without a trace. Just simply disappeared,” Georgia said, her tone sad as she thought of Virginia and her broken heart.
“He just…left?” Landon sounded surprised.
Georgia nodded. “Just up and left Virginia and her babies. Left her all alone.” She shook her head.
“Has Virginia heard from him since?” Landon asked.
“Aside from the monthly check he sends to help Virginia out…no.”
“Oh,” Landon said. His tone was regretful. “That’s too bad.”
“It is.” They turned down Magnolia Lane, but Georgia suddenly stopped. “Actually,” she said, looking in the direction of her house. “Is it okay if you leave me here?”
Landon stopped, raising a quizzical eyebrow. “Why?” He wondered if it was because she didn’t want her dad to see him. What had her dad told Georgia about him?
“Because,” Georgia explained, motioning towards her neighbor’s house. “My neighbor, Mrs. Sullivan, has been watching me. She would be ecstatic to report back to my dad about the boy I’m bringing home.” Georgia rolled her eyes as she thought of Mrs. Sullivan. Mrs. Sullivan probably had her binoculars out already, Georgia thought to herself.
“Oh,” Landon said, slowly understanding. “You don’t want her to find out that you’re with someone like me.”
“No!” Georgia said quickly, shaking her head. “I just mean that, it could be any guy…I mean,” Georgia said, growing increasingly flustered as Landon smiled at her attempt to explain. Georgia took a deep breath. “What I mean is, a woman like Mrs. Sullivan would love to report back to my dad about how I’m bringing boys home when he isn’t there...at night,” Georgia added hesitantly. She swallowed nervously, feeling her cheeks flush.
Landon pressed his lips together, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly as he fought back a smile. “I understand.”
Georgia bit her lip anxiously, her cheeks still pink from embarrassment. “Besides,” she said, the rosiness in her cheeks fading as she grew bolder. “I wasn’t aware I was with someone like you.” She smiled playfully up at him.
Landon gazed back at her intently, his eyes hungrily taking in her face and her soft, pink lips. He fought the urge to kiss her again like he did next to Sage River, and gave her hand a squeeze. “I should go,” he said, his words disagreeing with his eyes as he looked longingly at her. He leaned down and kissed her chastely on the cheek.
Georgia bit her lip, not wanting to say goodbye.
“See you tomorrow?” He lifted his hand and ran the back of his index finger along her cheek where his lips had touched only moments earlier, feeling the smoothness of her skin.
Georgia nodded. “Okay.”
“Have a good night, Georgia Summer,” he said, smiling at her.
Georgia smiled. “You too, Landon.”
He turned around and began to walk down Magnolia Lane. Georgia watched him for several moments, admiring his tall, muscular build and the confidence he exuded as he walked. Sighing, she finally turned around and walked the rest of the way home with Millie.
Chapter 23
A Close Call
As Georgia walked up the front path, she was surprised to see her dad’s car in the driveway. Realizing that he must have finished work earlier than expected, she was doubly glad she hadn’t let Landon walk her all the way home. She walked slowly up to the front door, practically dragging her feet as she wondered how she was going to explain her wet clothes to him.
The front door was unlocked and she let herself and Millie in. Her dad’s shoes were there next to the door, and she took off her own, placing them next to his. As she stood back up, she h
eard him come in from the kitchen.
“Where have you been?” her dad asked, his voice curious.
Remembering their last interaction from earlier that morning, Georgia answered crisply, “Walking.” She unclasped Millie from her leash and hung the leash up on the coat hook.
“Why are your clothes all wet?” His voice sounded more suspicious now.
“I went for a swim.”
“With that boy?” He raised his voice slightly.
“He has a name, you know,” she said, still not answering his question. Georgia could feel the tension rising in the room, and the warmth blooming in her cheeks from suppressed anger.
“What did we talk about this mornin', Georgia?” His voice was now brimming on the verge of eruption.
Georgia didn’t answer him and began to walk up the stairs to her room, refusing to look at her dad any longer.
“So, you’re just gonna ignore me now?” he asked loudly.
Again, Georgia didn't answer, her bare feet hitting the steps with more force than necessary.
“I’m warnin' you, Georgia. You stay away from that boy, ya hear me?” he yelled.
Pressing her lips shut, Georgia slammed her bedroom door in response.
In her room, Georgia irritably peeled off her clothes, hurling them onto the floor. She then went into the bathroom and turned on the shower full blast, letting the steam rise for a few moments before she stepped in. She showered, washing her hair and scrubbing herself clean.
As she abrasively washed herself under the hot water, angry thoughts pelted through her mind. Why couldn’t her dad just accept that Landon had changed? Why was he incapable of giving him a second chance? Georgia turned the tap off and stepped out of the shower. She rubbed herself dry with her towel and then brushed out her long hair, the excess water dripping from the dark strands onto the floor.
As she dressed in front of her bureau, she felt her stomach growling with hunger. She looked at the clock and saw that it was only seven. Sighing, Georgia flopped onto her bed. She could wait a few hours to eat until her dad went to bed. Rolling onto her back, she stared up at the ceiling fan, watching it go round and round in endless circles.
Georgia’s thoughts flitted back to Landon and their first kiss by Sage River. She relived the memory in her mind, remembering how he had walked over to her with such conviction, unwavering in what he wanted. How he had grabbed her with boldness yet was tender in his touch. How he had kissed her with such passion, making her feel like the only other person that existed in the entire world.
Landon was a man who knew what he wanted, and she liked that about him. She had always been one to hesitate and think through every decision analytically, weighing the pros and cons. With Landon, he just knew what he wanted without any indecision. Georgia wished she could be more like that. Then maybe she would have the courage to stand up to her dad and not fear the consequences, she thought to herself.
Tired from the day’s events, she rolled over onto her side, resting her head on her hands. Maybe she would doze for a little bit, just until her dad went to bed. Georgia closed her eyes as she thought of Landon, remembering how his lips had felt on hers, and the way his hands had roamed across her back. A faint smile on her lips, she soon dozed off, wishing she could kiss Landon again.
✽✽✽
Georgia woke up to the sound of her alarm clock ringing next to her ear, jarring her awake. Reaching over to her nightstand, she turned off her alarm, and then sat up. She yawned as she rubbed her eyes groggily, and then began to get ready for work.
Once Georgia was ready, she left her room, tiptoeing down the hall and the stairs while making sure to skip the creaky step. The last thing she wanted was another run-in with her dad. She flipped the light on in the kitchen and Millie stirred in her bed.
Stretching, Millie stood up and came over to Georgia, her tail wagging gently. Georgia grabbed a banana and led Millie to the front door. Quietly, she unlocked and opened it, letting Millie out.
It was a glorious morning outside. The sun was just rising, and the morning dew on the grass made the entire yard shimmer in the sunlight. The fragrance of night blooming jasmine still hung in the air, its sweet scent mingling with the smell of freshly cut grass. Georgia inhaled the delicious fragrance, feeling invigorated for the day. There was something about nature that always seemed to calm her. It was a grounding force no matter how stressful life was for her.
She ate her banana, watching Millie from the front porch. When Millie finished, Georgia followed her inside. Tossing the banana peel, she then gave Millie a quick hug before leaving for work, locking the door behind her.
It was particularly busy at Duke’s when Georgia arrived. All the booths were full and nearly every stool was occupied at the counter. Georgia quickly busied herself filling drink orders, and was content to have a diversion from her thoughts about fighting with her dad.
A couple of hours into Georgia’s shift, however, the morning rush slowed to a crawl. Only a few booths were full now, one of which included a gaggle of giggly high school girls. Their summer break had begun only this week, and Georgia feared that their new hangout spot at the diner would become permanent. Every few moments they would either squeal or gasp with sheer delight as they gushed over the newest gossip about one of their high school classmates.
Georgia tapped the counter impatiently with her nails, silently willing more customers to come in through the door so she could stay busy and not be left alone with her thoughts. Her mind floated back to Landon and how he had held her in Sage River, his hands on her naked back, and the way he had looked at her as he admired her freckles.
“Order up!” the cook announced behind Georgia, jerking her from her thoughts. She heard a glass plate hit the counter as Duke came around to pick it up.
“I’ll get it, Duke,” Georgia said quickly, picking up the full plate of pancakes and fruit. She was desperate to do any task to keep her distracted.
Duke thanked her and returned to one of the booths to refill coffees.
Taking the plate, Georgia placed it on a tray and went around the long counter to deliver it to one of the other booths. She was just setting the pancakes down on the table when she heard the bell tinkling over the door. Glancing up, she saw Landon come in. She turned back to the customer. “Enjoy,” Georgia said, smiling as she slid the plate over to them.
Tucking the tray under her arm, Georgia took a deep breath and went around the long counter to the front near the register, pretending she hadn’t seen Landon yet. She could feel her hands trembling as she approached him.
It was all Georgia could do to not gawk at Landon. He was freshly shaven this morning, giving him a clean-cut look that exaggerated his strong jaw line. Georgia couldn’t decide if she liked the shaved look more than his stubble from yesterday, although she couldn’t deny that she wanted to run her fingers along his smooth, shaven cheek. He gazed at her intently with his cool, grey blue eyes, and that barely-there smile.
“Good morning, sir,” Georgia said shyly. Had she really kissed this man yesterday? Maybe it had all been a dream. She replayed the image of her and Landon together by the river, remembering how he held her as she wrapped her arms around his neck, his stubble grazing her cheeks as he kissed her. No, it had definitely happened, Georgia reminded herself.
He was wearing a silvery grey t-shirt today that clung to his pectoral muscles and highlighted his defined biceps. His low rider, dark wash jeans hung off his hips in the way Georgia liked. Georgia caught herself staring and quickly looked down at the tray she was carrying, returning it to its place on the counter.
“Good morning, Georgia Summer.” He sat down on the same barstool as yesterday, his expression amused as he watched her.
Georgia’s throat felt suddenly dry and she swallowed anxiously. Was she always going to be this nervous around Landon Young?
A loud chorus of squeals suddenly erupted again from the booth of high school girls. Georgia looked over Landon’s shoulder
and saw all of the girls staring at Landon, their smiles flirtatious as they tried to catch his attention. Georgia rolled her eyes at their kittenish looks, trying to look annoyed but also feeling a bloom of pride in her chest as she thought of how she had kissed Landon Young yesterday, the man they were all ogling at.
Landon ignored them, his eyes firmly set on Georgia. “How are you on this fine morning?” He was still concealing a full smile as he watched Georgia timidly tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I’m good. It’s been a busy morning,” she said, thinking of how distracted she had been all morning with her thoughts of Landon.
Landon looked around, his eyes roving across the majority of empty booths and barstools. “Yeah. I can see that.” He smiled at her.
Catching his drift, Georgia laughed, relaxing a little. “It was earlier, I mean,” she explained. She swallowed again, moistening her throat. “So, what can I get you this morning? Coffee? Something to eat?”
“A cappuccino would be great, actually. That is, unless you’re too busy…?” He left his question hanging, teasing her.
Georgia giggled. “I’ve got time.” She smiled as she turned around to start his drink. She began to fill the portafilter with fresh grounds, but as she locked it into the grouphead, she heard the bell jingling again. Georgia glanced over her shoulder to look back at the door, and felt her heart drop as she recognized who had just come in.
Jace Montgomery and his posse strode into the diner. Georgia noted how Jace swaggered with a surprising amount of confidence considering that he had been beat into a ball of shame the other night, thanks to Landon. His face was still a little swollen, and he had a faint shiner under his right eye. Georgia wondered what heroic story Jace had devised to disguise the truth about what really happened with Landon at Maple Leaf Park.
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