“It was really nice to see you, Justin.” She had her hand on the doorknob.
Nice? “Hey, wait a minute, aren’t we going to talk about this?”
She hesitated, then met his gaze. “I wish this could work, but it can’t.”
He frowned. How could she ignore what had just happened? “What do you mean…can’t?” He cupped her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. “Don’t you think we ought to at least give this a shot?” In his confusion, his ire rose. Maybe this was all a mistake. Maybe she was somehow still involved with Kolby’s dad. “Hey, if this is someone else….”
She shook her head, but looked away. “I need to go.”
“Will I see you at the reunion dance tomorrow night?” he asked.
“Yes, but I’ll be working.” She quickly met his gaze. “Good night, Justin. I had a nice time.”
If he heard that word once more he might tear the door off its hinges. Frustrated, he watched dumbfounded as she shut the door behind her.
He arrived back at his brother’s house to find it empty. Jake wasn’t home yet and he found a note from Faith that she had a neighborhood alliance meeting and that he and Jake were on their own for supper.
He was just as grateful to have the time alone. Grabbing a beer, he stepped onto the covered patio and tried to figure out when things had gone sideways. He flopped down in one of the chairs and let his gaze drift to the smattering of stars beginning to peep through the remaining storm clouds. He’d overreacted one time to a rumor and look at the heartache and wasted time that had gotten him. He was determined not to jump to conclusions this time. Taking a pull on his beer, he gazed at the old dogwood tree in the backyard, its delicate, white petals littering the ground, victims of the wind and rain, leaving behind their heady scent.
“Hey, there you are. Didn’t expect to see you back so soon.” Jake, drink in hand, sat down on the couch across from him. He pointed at Justin’s beer. “See you started without me. How’d your day go?”
Justin cocked his head and chuckled. He took a long drink before he spoke. “You know, I must not remember Mom and Dad’s relationship very well. It didn’t seem that complicated to me. Did you ever sense that?”
“So, that good of a day, huh?” Jake answered.
Justin shook his head. “The woman confuses me.”
“I find most women confusing.” Jake raised his glass. “That said, and more to your question, I’m sure Mom and Dad had their moments.” Jake offered a short laugh. “Why do you suppose Mom spent so much time helping at that ranch on weekends?”
“Oh, come on,” Justin argued. “Mom loved being around horses. You know that.”
“True. But that happens, buddy. The honeymoon wears off and suddenly you realize you’re two very different people with different likes and dislikes.”
“Are you talking about your own marriage? Because in case you hadn’t noticed, your wife is pretty damn amazing,” Justin pointed his beer bottle at his brother.
“Nice of you to notice.” He grinned. “And yes, I know she is. I won’t argue that. I am one lucky SOB to have someone like Faith. But we’re confident enough in our marriage to allow each other the freedom to explore who we are as individuals.”
“You think that’s what Mom and Dad did?” Justin hadn’t thought much about what had kept his parents together.
Jake struck a thoughtful pose. “I can’t say. Dad could be mean. Especially when he’d been drinking. I think after we grew up and we no longer needed twenty-four-seven care by Mom, she needed something else to care for.”
“You think she loved Dad?”
Jake nodded. “Yeah. The business changed him from the man she fell in love with, in my opinion. But Mom believed in the sanctity of marriage. She advised me early on that, if it was important enough to you, then it was worth working through the issues.”
Justin raised a brow. “You think the business has changed you?”
“Now, funny you should ask that. I realized something today,” Jake said.
“Yeah?”
“I realized today that it’d been too long since I’d had a picnic with my wife…not to mention what followed.”
Justin cringed. “Too much information.” Still, he was glad to hear that Jake had reassessed his goals.
He nodded. “Yep. I’ve decided to make a couple of changes. First, I’m taking off a day a week. Second, I’m going to start delegating some of these business trips. Third, I’ve decided it’s time we started a family. I mean, Faith and I aren’t getting any younger, right?”
“Maybe you, bro,” Justin grinned.
Jake flipped him the bird.
Justin nodded and blew out a long sigh. Hell, if Jake and Faith could work things out, if his parents who’d been married forty some-odd years could work out their differences, then maybe there was still hope for things to work out between him and Georgia—assuming that both of them were willing to do so. “I really thought things were going well today.” Justin glanced at his brother. “We drove out to the old Stoneville house.”
Jake spewed part of his drink, dabbing his chin. “You don’t waste any time.”
“It started as a picnic…and you’re welcome. Faith thought the idea sounded romantic.”
“And was it?” Jake smiled.
“None of your business,” Justin said.
Jake’s grin widened.
“I don’t want to lose her again. If that means I have to move back here to prove to her that I’m serious, then by God, I’m prepared to do that.”
“Have you told her that?” Jake asked.
“She hasn’t given me the chance.”
“There is a kid to think of. That could be tough. And you don’t have any idea what her life with his father…what I mean is, maybe he’s still involved somehow.”
“She claims he’s not. But she won’t talk to me about it.”
Jake studied him. “Well, I guess this is one of those times when you need to ask yourself how important she is to you—and her son, since they’re a package deal.”
***
The next evening as Justin finished trimming his beard, his cell phone rang. He glanced at the screen, recognizing his mother’s number. “Hey, Mom.”
“Thought I’d call and see how things are in Atlanta. Tonight’s your reunion dinner dance, right?”
Since his mother’s move to the eastern side of the state, he’d made it a habit to call her every couple of weeks and had spent holidays there with her and his aunt. Only once in that entire time had she ever mentioned Georgia Langley and he’d decidedly put the kibosh on the subject, stating that he didn’t wish to speak about her. Justin knew the phone call out of the blue was mom-code for “have you and your brother patched things up yet?”
“Well, one would assume that since you’re still there after two days’ time, you and your brother are getting along?” she asked.
He smiled. She’d miscarried once before conceiving twins. As it turned out, they were to be their only children and she treated them like everything else in her life—with precious respect and care. She was, and always would be, the heart of their family.
“We’re okay.” Justin heard her soft sigh of reassurance.
“Good, I’m glad. Life’s too short to let wounds fester.”
“And it helps that I spoke to Georgia and discovered another side to the information that I was given by Mac.”
“You loved that girl, didn’t you? I remember how that news broke your heart.”
Justin glanced at the clock. He’d hoped to get to the reunion early enough to speak privately with Georgia. Nonetheless, he wasn’t quite ready to share with his mom that he still loved that girl. “I know, but life goes on and we’re all grown up now.”
A brief silence followed. “If it’s important to you, son, you’ll find a way through the issues.”
He could never get anything past her.
“Thanks, Mom. Give Aunt Irene a hug for me. Talk to you soon.”
&
nbsp; He hung up, renewed in the hope that fate might be giving him a chance to make Georgia an offer she couldn’t refuse.
He had to give Jolie credit. She’d turned the plain hall into a masterful illusion of twinkling lights, music, and a banquet feast fit for royalty. Miniature lights prevailed inside and out, covering trees, potted plants, even the shrubbery along the walkways. A spectacular canopy of lights came to a focal point on the ceiling above the guest tables, creating a sparkling chandelier overhead. On either side of the room were long tables laden with the best of southern cuisine, and a small dance floor with a DJ was set up at the far end of the room.
In the opposite corner, he spotted the cash bar, brought in by Langley’s. Several of her staff, dressed in smart black-and-white attire, moved through the crowd serving champagne to guests.
Justin took a deep breath and started across the room, only to be waylaid by classmates who’d arrived early. Mac and Jolie were among them. Mac caught his attention and waved him over to the table where he and Jolie sat.
“Hey, we saved you a seat here, and ones for Jake and Faith, too. Are they here yet?”
Seeing the two of them together seemed profoundly logical. Justin hadn’t anticipated how he’d feel seeing Mac again. He didn’t want to get into it tonight with Mac. He just wanted to talk with Georgia. “Uh, yeah. They were right behind me. If you’ll excuse me.”
Mac hopped up from his seat and cut Justin off. “Hey, I don’t know if you’ve seen her, but Georgia looks very hot tonight. I mean, if I wasn’t here with Jolie, I’d think about asking her out. What do you think? Would that be, you know, okay with you?” He grinned.
Justin curled his hand into a tight fist at his side. The look on his face must have revealed his true thoughts.
Mac frowned. “Hey, there’s nothing going on between you two, is there? I mean, like that was over years ago—even before the whole thing with your brother. You know, before he got married.”
Justin summoned every ounce of patience he had and took a step closer to Mac. He leaned forward, cheek to cheek with him, so no one would hear him. “Mac, you’re damn lucky I don’t take you outside right now and beat the shit out of you. That crap you told me about Georgia and Jake wasn’t even remotely accurate and I’ve spent way too many years estranged from my brother because of it. Now, that part is on me and I’m taking steps to resolve it. But, more importantly, there’s a woman here who deserves an apology from you. Because those rumors hurt Georgia deeply and she didn’t deserve it. So, here’s my advice and I’ll say it once--get a life and stay away from Georgia.” He straightened and looked into Mac’s shocked face. “Do we have an understanding?” Justin asked quietly.
“Hey, man, I didn’t know. When Jake told me what had happened, I just assumed--”
“You assumed wrong.” Justin held his gaze.
Mac swallowed. “Jesus, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize to me, Mac.” He stepped around his flustered classmate, leaving him to deal with how to resolve his guilt. He looked up and found Georgia across the room, her head down, looking at a clipboard. She wore a short black dress with black-heeled sandals that made her legs seem a mile long. She’d covered her dress with a full, white apron. “Hey.” He walked up to her. “I was hoping we might have a few minutes to talk?”
“I’m sorry, Justin. It’s not a good time” She gave him a cursory glance.
“Maybe later, then? You could save me a dance?” he offered with a smile.
She didn’t look up. “I’m sorry, really.” She peered around him, seemingly to speak with another. “Jolie, are the servers getting the champagne out to guests per your instructions?”
Justin stepped aside so the two women could talk. Jolie smiled up at him. She was carrying two flutes of bubbly. “Almost,” she said, holding the glass out to him. “Can I steal you away just a bit, honey?” Jolie asked, hooking her arm through his. “I want to run a wonderful idea past you.” She glanced at Georgia. “You don’t mind, do you, Georgia?”
Georgia glanced at her clipboard and shrugged.
To hell with this. Justin untangled himself from Jolie’s grip, grabbed Georgia’s clipboard, and slapped it on the bar.
Tank, who’d been standing a few feet away, looked up.
“Can you handle things while I speak with your boss for a moment?” He met Georgia’s gaze. “I only need five minutes.”
“B-but,” Jolie sputtered as Justin shoved the glass back in her hand.
Mac appeared at Justin’s side, pushing through to Georgia. He took her hands in his. “I swear on my father’s grave, I had no idea how much my big mouth had hurt you. I was wrong to assume what had happened between you and Jake. God, if there is any way I can make it up to you, just say the word. As God is my witness, I thought things were over then between you and Justin.”
Was the world going mad? Justin met Tank’s gaze.
The big man walked over and turned Georgia in Justin’s direction. Placing his hand on Mac’s chest, he gave Georgia a nudge and Justin caught her hand. “Now, what can I fix for you two?” He grinned at Jolie and Mac.
Seizing the opportunity, Justin dragged her through the open side doors and into the private garden area outside. He faced her then. “Look, Georgia, I don’t know what’s going on between us. But I feel something and I don’t want it to slip away. Not again. Not if there’s even the remote chance you may feel the same.”
“Justin,” she said wearily, folding her arms over her chest. “There have only been two men—besides Kolby—that I’ve loved in my life. You were my first love and always will be.”
His hopes lifted as he reached for her.
“After everything that happened between us, I never thought that I could love anyone as much…not until I met Caleb.”
His hands dropped to their sides.
One of the Langley servers appeared at the double-wide entrance. “My apologies, Ms. Langley, but we’ve got a bit of a crisis going on inside. We need you.”
Caleb? Justin was still reeling from the bomb she’d dropped.
“I’m sorry, I need to go.” She turned on her heel to leave. He grabbed her hand.
“After the party. We need to talk.”
“I’ll…think about it.” She walked away, leaving him shell-shocked.
He barely touched any food, had no appetite for it. Instead, he took a long walk alone in the neighborhood, giving him time to think. He returned to the reunion late and found Faith seated alone at a table. “Mind if I join you?” he asked.
“Please do. I figured you were over there reliving the glory days with the rest of the team.”
Justin smiled and glanced over at the throng of males, laughing and drinking, growing louder with each toast to the good old days. He shook his head. “I only played football because Jake asked me to. I really preferred track.”
She leaned over and patted his hand, and he thought he saw the glimmer of tears in her eyes.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asked, dropping his hand over hers. “You need me to get Jake?”
“No.” She tugged on his hand as he started to rise. He returned to his seat.
She searched his eyes as though debating whether to confide in him. “I found out today I’m pregnant.” Her smile was wobbly, at best. She blinked and glanced away, dabbing her eyes with a napkin. She let out a short laugh. “The thing is, I’m not sure Jake’s going to be happy about it.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” Justin slid into the chair next to her and put his arm around her shoulders. “He’s going to be nuts. He was just telling me last night that he wanted to start a family.”
“He did?” She sniffed.
Justin nodded. “That, amongst some other changes that I think are great. You guys are going to be great parents.” He patted her shoulder.
“Making moves again on my wife, I see.” Jake clamped one hand on Justin’s shoulder. “You don’t mind if I ask her to dance, do you?” Jake kissed the top of his brother’s head. �
�I love you, bro.” Then he held his hand out to Faith.
Justin was unable to keep from smiling as he saw Jake pull Faith close and watched the transformation on his face as she told him her news.
At that moment, he realized how badly he wanted that with Georgia. But it was too late. Never mind what had happened between them yesterday. Some guy named Caleb had already claimed her heart.
Chapter Five
Georgia had seen the hurt on Justin’s face when she mentioned Caleb’s name. Maybe it was better to make him believe that her heart still belonged to another. Part of her would always love Caleb--for forcing her to move on, to love again, and, of course, for Kolby. But she and Kolby had managed just fine on their own, without a man in their lives.
“How are you holding up, sweetheart?”
Tank stood at her side. The night had been profitable for this new portable bar catering venture. Aside from the income from the cash bar and the set-up fee charged to the reunion committee, she and Tank had exchanged a good number of business cards and phone numbers regarding potential new clients.
She leaned on the bar and slipped off her shoes. “These heels are killing me.”
“Never understood why women tortured themselves with those stiletto heels.” Tank glanced at her. “Unless, of course, the woman is trying to make an impression.” He raised one silvery brow over his steely, blue-eyed gaze.
“Please,” she answered, rotating her ankle to ease the stiff soreness. Nothing that a good soak in the tub and a glass of wine couldn’t cure. Her heart…now, that was a different matter.
“Saw you talking to that guy…what’s his name? Jasper?”
“Justin.” Georgia tossed him a side look. Tank knew his name by now--probably his shirt size and birthday too, given his military resources.
“So, things going okay there?” he asked casually, handing a guest a wine spritzer.
Georgia On My Mind (A Magnolias and Moonshine novella Book 7) Page 8