Embrace Me Forever (Hartley Brothers #3)

21. Georgia-May

21

GEORGIA-MAY

After finally settling into my new life and spending a tad too long holed up in Fortress Blake, I jumped at the chance when my man suggested we head over to Rob’s for ‘the big Hartley huddle.’ And today, that huddle is happening.

As we pull up to Rob’s Beverly Hills mansion, sunlight filters through the palm trees lining the driveway, their shadows swaying on the asphalt. The air smells of jasmine, carried on a breeze from the hedges wrapping the front gardens.

Coco stirs in her car seat, her fingers gripping the teddy bear Amber gave her. I notice her half-lidded eyes, still heavy with the drowsiness of her nap. Today’s gathering isn’t just important for me. It’s crucial for Coco, a chance to experience a bit of normalcy.

Amber, Rob’s wife, welcomes us at the doorway with a smile as bright as the California sun. Though we’ve chatted over the phone several times, meeting her in person casts a whole new light. Her elegance is effortless, grounding her charm in genuine hospitality.

“And this little charmer must be Coco-Rae! I see you’ve brought your favorite teddy along,” she says.

“That’s Amber. She gave you the bear. Go on, say hi to her,” I encourage, and Coco, perching on my hip, responds with a shy wave and a smile. I give her a tiny bounce. “Say thank you, Amber.”

“Thank you, Amber,” she says. It’s amazing how fast kids pick things up. Coco’s speech is really coming along, even if she’s just mimicking me for now. And I’m especially grateful that ‘hurt’ is slowly fading from her go-to words.

I add, “She’s practically glued to that bear.”

Amber rubs Coco’s hand, her voice soft and inviting. “I bet you’re ready to meet some new friends, huh?”

Coco peers at Amber, her big eyes wide with curiosity. Then, her expression shifts to one of quiet awe. I smile, thinking how even the littlest ones have a knack for sensing good souls.

Rob and Clay are waiting for us in the living room, and there’s Isabelle, keeping the little ones entertained. With her sleek dark hair and welcoming smile, she waves us over.

As we settle in, Rob hands me a glass of lemonade. “How’s she doing?” he asks, lightly brushing Coco’s shoulder as she rests her head against my chest.

“She’s doing better. She can manage short distances now,” I reply.

“That’s remarkable,” Isabelle chimes in. “Considering she’s only a few weeks into her therapy.”

“She’s been working hard,” Blake adds, brushing a stray curl from Coco’s forehead.

Clay flashes a cute, childish grin as Coco watches him intently. “I bet you have, Coco. You take after your mom.” His expression shifts subtly, a crease of concern appearing. “And on another note, any rumblings from the Bertram camp?”

Blake leans in, his voice low. “All quiet on that front. We’re staying under the radar, keeping it stealthy. But make no mistake, they’re still out there, lurking.”

Clay shifts in his seat before saying, “Heads up, I’ve caught wind of something through the grapevine. Bertram might be eyeing the US market again. It’s all whispers at this point, nothing solid. But if they make a move, Georgia-May could be a bigger target for them.”

I avert my eyes to hide my reaction as Blake squeezes my hand.

Rob’s expression sets into a determined line, his eyes resolute. “Georgia-May, you’re safe here. And Blake, well, he’d square off against an army solo to keep you and Coco out of harm’s way.”

I glance up at my man and offer him a small smile.

“With that in mind, don’t even think twice if you need anything. Anything at all,” Rob says.

“You’re family now,” Isabelle says. “And family looks out for each other.”

It’s strange to think that just a few months ago, Rob and Clayton knew me merely as a name on paper. My brief CV and a hastily crafted QEOPA proposal, designed in desperation to secure funding for Coco’s surgery. And now, they’ve welcomed Coco and me into their lives, offering us a place in their hearts.

Soon, the conversation shifts to lighter topics. The kids are already gathering around Coco, eager to show her their world.

Matty, the youngest of the Hartley brothers, an unexpected arrival after Rob and Clay were already adults, is the first to approach her. The boy is a charmer, and even Coco warms up to him instantly, sharing in her own way that she had surgery. She points at the scar where her stitches were.

“I know how hard that must’ve been, Coco,” Matty offers empathy.

Matty kneels in front of me, giving Coco a lopsided grin as he shows her the scar from his car accident—an event which, Blake told me, eventually led to Rob meeting with Amber.

Coco doesn’t fully understand his words, but her little hand reaches out, her fingers brushing against Matty’s scar. “Itchy?” she innocently asks, reflecting her own experience.

“It used to be. Not anymore. Remember not to scratch it, okay?” Matty says, touching Coco’s nails. “You’ll get through it. Do you trust me?”

Coco nods, then turns her attention to Raffi, Clay’s adopted son. He shows her a mini basketball, instantly capturing her interest. “Wanna play?” he asks, his voice inviting.

Coco wriggles in my arms, eager to be set down. Her eyes light up as the ball stops at her feet, and she lets out a delighted giggle, pure and unfiltered. Blake steps in, helping her as she toddles after the ball, her steps still wobbly on the grass but full of determination. I watch as she throws the ball back to Raffi. The younger kids quickly gather around, forming a protective ring around her, like a shield of joy and innocence.

A picnic lunch follows, the kind of chaos only a large gathering of kids can create. A feeling I haven’t experienced since…maybe since Anne and I were kids ourselves.

As the last crumbs of dessert are cleared away and the children dash off to play, I catch a glance exchanged between Amber and Isabelle, a shared smile that sends a tiny alarm bell ringing in the back of my mind. Something’s up.

“Georgia-May,” Amber begins, her tone light but with a hint of something more beneath it. “Why don’t you and Blake take some time for yourselves? We’ll look after Coco.”

I blink, taken aback by the offer. “Oh, that’s really kind of you, but I don’t want to impose?—”

“Nonsense!” Isabelle cuts in with a wave of her hand. “Coco’s having a blast with the kids. They’re inseparable already.” She gestures toward the lawn, where Coco is surrounded by Matty, Raffi, and the others as they continue with the mini basketball, aided by their fathers. It’s a rare sight, and my heart swells just watching her.

Amber leans in, her voice dropping to a coaxing tone. “You’ve been through so much lately. Both of you. A little break will do wonders. Between the two of us, we’ve got more than enough experience to handle all the kiddos.”

I hesitate, my protective instincts flaring up. It’s not that I don’t trust them. I do, but Coco’s my world. It’s hard to let go, even just for a few hours.

Isabelle steps closer. “We haven’t mentioned—well, we’re running a bit late, but…”

From the corner of my eye, I catch a figure slipping into the gardens. Excitement coils in my chest, tightening with recognition.

“Anne!” I cry, launching myself toward her as the pent-up emotions burst free, unraveling in a rush.

Anne opens her arms wide. “Gi!” she exclaims.

We collide in a tight embrace, the kind only sisters can share. Our laughter and tears mingle, each soaking in the familiar comfort of the other’s presence.

Anne exhales deeply, taking in her surroundings. “Well, I guess billionaire romance novels aren’t so far-fetched, after all. And look at you! Snug in the arms of your knight in shining armor. Girl, you look amazing!”

I appraise myself, feeling unchanged, but knowing Anne always sees me differently. “I can’t believe you’re actually here,” I say, still too excited to say much more.

“And I believe you’re here,” she replies. “Whether it was luck or fate, you sure did something right to land here. You fought the right battle.”

“Maybe I just knew where to dig,” I shrug.

“Yeah, or maybe your compass still points true north.” She nudges my heart with a soft jab. “You’ve found some good ones here, Gi.”

I look over to see the Hartley ladies waving at her, and Anne waves back like they’re old friends.

“And your man, he’s a saint,” she adds. “You have my permission to tell him that.”

Blake watches us, unmoved from the spot with the kids, and he looks far too involved in this surprise to plead innocence.

I squeeze my sister’s hands, which have lingered in mine, and notice her self-satisfied grin. “So, I take it you flew Hartley Marine style?”

“Absolutely!” Anne boasts with a wide grin. “Private jet, flying with legroom that never ends. It was like I could’ve done yoga at thirty thousand feet!”

We both laugh at the image. “And where’s your beau?” I ask, shifting gears.

“Hey! Diego and I are just friends. Really, we’re rebound buddies,” she asserts defensively. It’s amusing how two exes can label themselves that. “He’s working hard in Santa Fe. Everything’s cool,” she assures me. “And no, we don’t have any of Bertram’s stragglers on our trail.”

Just then, Coco’s squeals fill the air, her voice calling to her aunt in her own special way.

“There’s my sweetie pie!” Anne exclaims, her face lighting up as she runs toward my little girl.

This surprise is already more than I bargained for, but the feeling in the pit of my stomach twists a little tighter when Anne starts shooing me away. She and the Hartley ladies definitely know something I don’t.

Blake offers only a smile, giving nothing away. Amber and Isabelle beam with sincerity, while Anne discreetly mouths ‘Go’ as she watches Coco, who gleefully laughs while Matty teaches her to play with a toy car.

Longing rises in me. The need for a moment of peace, a moment where it’s just Blake and me, away from everything that’s been weighing us down.

“Do you trust me?” Blake extends his hand.

I take it, feeling the warmth of his palm against mine. “Just a moment to say goodbye to Coco,” I tell him, and he follows me, keeping our hands intertwined.

Coco is thoroughly engrossed with Anne, eager to return to the fun with Matty and Raffi.

“Bye, Coco!” I call, nervous that she might cry or protest as I leave. But my girl simply waves back, her attention already absorbed in play. With easy confidence, Blake leads me away.

“Where are we going?” I look up to appraise his expression.

“Is this how long your trust lasts?” Blake complains.

A giggle threatens to escape as his fingers brush against my ticklish side, but I clamp down on it, determined not to embarrass myself in front of the Hartley ladies. “You did that on purpose!” I accuse, shifting subtly out of his ticklish grasp.

He smirks, gaze darting as he tugs me away to the side of the house.

“Hey, the car is over there!” I blurt, pointing out the obvious. He just winks, ushering me into a garage where the rolling door hums like a purring cat, unveiling an eye-popping lineup of luxury cars from Porsche to Maserati to Rolls Royce. It feels like I’ve wandered into a billionaire’s toy box. Scratch that. I actually have.

“We’re borrowing Rob’s car?” I ask.

“Come on, I’ve got better tricks up my sleeve than grand theft auto!” He chuckles, flipping a key fob like a seasoned magician. He presses a button, and a blue Lamborghini flirts with us, its headlights blinking. “Hello, baby. Long time, no see.” Brimming with pride, he makes his possession clear.

“Great taste!” I cross my arms in admiration.

“I usually zip around in a Ford to stay incognito. Call it my undercover charm. But Rob’s been babysitting this little blue rocket while I play the mysterious PI. As for treating a lady…” He tips an imaginary hat. “I always upgrade from undercover to unforgettable.”

“Now, a snapshot of you as my savior is complete. Just missing a cape and a mask to match those swanky wheels!” I slide inside as soon as he opens the door, my hand in his. Taking a back seat has been a foreign concept lately, but today, it’s the only thing I plan on mastering.