Chapter Four
Georgie
––––––––
I absolutely loved Carnival season. Then again, considering my line of work, it would be a surprise if I didn't. The city came alive at this time of the year, and as I’d predicted, our handmade masks were a hit with tourists. And the beads, too, as I kept them reasonably priced.
I was manning the shop from opening until the evening, and Zelda was in charge of everything going on in the back. I'd given them the good news first thing on Monday morning. Getting our biggest client back for next season had done wonders for everyone's mood.
I couldn’t get Julian LeBlanc out of my mind, though. Who could blame me? His blue eyes were simply unreal.
He'd followed through with his promise. I’d gotten an email from his assistant early on Monday and had already set everything in place. I was using a new contract template—one put together with an actual lawyer a few years back. It was far less lenient than the one Nana had set up and wouldn't release our clients so easily. But I hadn't heard from Julian since, so I’d almost forgotten about his invitation for Sazerac.
Until the following Monday.
The first day of parades was always madness in the Quarter. So much so that I closed the store in the afternoon, as the streets would be too crowded with floats and celebrations for anyone to shop.
At one o'clock, I received a text from an unknown number.
Unknown number: Free Sazeracs will start at 2:00 PM.
Signed Julian LeBlanc.
Ha! He didn't forget. I was definitely not going to say no to a free Sazerac on the first day of parades.
My heart was beating fast for no reason at all as I texted back.
Wait a second, was heat creeping up my cheeks? This wasn't right.
But I was excited about going, so I was going to enjoy it—every moment.
Georgie: I'll be there, wearing a mask.
I felt extra sassy for that. Since I’d planned to join the celebrations today anyway, I had my outfit with me.
I’d gone with black tights and a dress in the traditional Mardi Gras colors. It was glittery and festive, and I absolutely loved it. I put on a jacket, too, because I didn't want to catch a cold. There was one time of year that I couldn't get sick, and it was now.
I got ready in the back of the store, humming to myself.
"Georgie, I'm going. Need anything?" Zelda asked a while later.
"No. Where are you going to be?" I asked her. Everyone was celebrating today.
"Bourbon, probably." She winced. "I'm sorry."
I looked directly at her. "Zelda, you don't have to apologize for going to Bourbon Street. Hell, you can even go into his club if you want."
She shook her head adamantly. "Oh, no, no. I’m never stepping foot in there again. I'm not giving that asshole one cent for drinks or anything else."
It felt good to know she was in my corner. I wondered if I was going to see my ex today, and that made me shudder. I really couldn't be so unlucky. He liked the celebrations, too, but to quote him, "It’s mostly to rub shoulders with the right people." I couldn't see him lining up for free Sazeracs.
Forget about Kyle, Georgie. He's firmly in the past. He can't hurt you anymore.
And yet the damage he'd done had left lasting marks. I hadn't even realized it at first. I'd simply been too dazed by the breakup.
One day, I’d gone to his club and waited for him by the couches, as usual.
Then a gorgeous woman approached, sitting next to me.
"I'm with Kyle now, so you're not welcome here anymore," she stated matter-of-factly.
I thought it was a practical joke, so I started to laugh.
"I'm going to have to ask you to leave," she went on.
I gawked at her. "Are you serious? Did he put you up to this?"
"He did ask me to give you the message, yes. He figured it would be easier this way."
I looked her straight in the eyes. "You're joking."
I felt as if someone had slapped me. We'd been going out for six months at that point. Granted, we were going through a rough patch, but that was the most humiliating thing I'd ever gone through.
"I'll ask security to escort you out if you don't leave on your own."
I'd run out of there before she could see me burst into tears. And I never went back.
In the months that followed, I'd been too heartbroken to even consider dating. The first time someone asked me out after the breakup, my initial instinct had been to simply run away. That hadn't changed yet.
One day this huge hole in my heart would mend, I was certain. I just didn't know when that day would come.
I put my mask on even before I left Books & Beads. My costume was a bit over the top, but I'd always been a bit weird and owned up to it. The day was gorgeous, the sun shining brightly, warming up my face. The Quarter was alive, chants from revelers resounding on the streets. Jazz bands played throughout the area, and a lot of bars had their doors open, letting the music fill the streets.
The crowds grew bigger and bigger as I approached the bar, although the parade hadn't reached Dumaine yet. Smiling from ear to ear, I stepped inside. There were several other people in costumes, but none of them were quite as loony as mine.
The place was even more packed than the last time I’d been here. It was really cool of Julian to offer free drinks. I shuddered to think how much it had to cost him.
I didn't need to wait too long to get to the bar. I was fully expecting to see Julian at the counter, and my stomach rolled with disappointment when he wasn't.
Oh, Georgie, what's gotten into you? Shake it off. I was hoping to spot those iridescent blue eyes at some point, though.
I waited until one of the bartenders was free and got his attention. He looked at me and smiled, then said, "Sazerac, right?"
"Yep."
"Is this your first one?"
I grinned. "Yes!"
"Okay."
"Wait, is that how you check that no one drinks more than one?"
He laughed. "Most people try to stick to that, anyway."
I found that hard to believe, but hey, if it worked for them, who was I to question it?
I looked at him intently as he prepared it, so mesmerized by the dexterity with which he moved that I didn't realize someone was watching me.
"Told you I'd find you."
My body lit up instantly. I turned around and sighed. Oh yeah, those iridescent blue eyes were trained on me, molten hot. When he stared at my mouth, the temperature of my body elevated. Instead of chastising myself, I declared victory. At least I knew my body was still capable of feeling something in the presence of a gorgeous man.
"What gave me away?"
"The mask, your energy. I don't know. I told you you're special.” He tilted closer and whispered, “And that I’d recognize you anywhere."
"I made it easy for you, didn't I?"
"You dressed like that for me?"
Would you look at that? Even my ears were on fire now.
I cleared my throat and put the mask in the bag I had slung over my shoulder. "Sorry to disappoint. I always like to dress for the parades. I take every chance I get."
Straightening up, he gave me a dazzling smile before glancing at the bartender. "I'll have a Sazerac with Georgie."
"Here you go."
After clinking glasses, I took a sip. " Yum. This is amazing."
I loved the cocktail. The mix of rye whiskey, absinthe, and lemon was perfect.
He grinned. "We serve the best Sazerac in town."
I rolled my eyes, though I wasn't sure he could see them. "Julian, every bar in this city claims to have the best Sazerac."
"Yes, but we’ve won awards," he said with a wink.
"Well, it definitely deserves it."
Even though there were a few inches between us, my entire body was still sizzling.
"Hey, you started drinking without me," another voice said.
Julian turned to the newcomer, his face instantly lighting up. "Zachary, hey! Grab a drink and join us. Georgie, this is my brother, Zachary."
I smiled at him. "Hi, Zachary."
He looked me up and down before saying, "Damn, I approve. Someone who knows how to dress for Carnival."
"Always," I said.
"Georgie owns Books & Beads," Julian shared. "She's actually the one in charge of decorating our float. We ran into a bit of an issue this year—my mistake—but she'll be back in charge next year."
I nearly dropped my glass, shocked that he’d called it his mistake.
Zachary shook my hand. "Pleased to meet you. Whatever happened this year, I’m sorry. I’ll kick his ass. Thanks for making us the best damn float decorations in town for all these years."
I didn't know if it was the Sazerac already going to my head or these guys paying me compliments, but I was ecstatic.
"Thank you, Zachary. I like you."
Julian trained his gaze on me. "And you based that decision on what?"
Zachary snorted. "The fact that I'm amazing, dude. Cheers."
He grabbed his glass of Sazerac from the counter and clinked it to mine and then Julian's.
“Perfect, as usual,” he exclaimed after taking a sip. “I’m going to make the rounds. I’ve spotted some friends.”
After he left, I asked Julian, “Is your whole family around here?”
“No. It's too crazy for most of them. We’re having our traditional brunch at LeBlanc & Broussard during the Carnival season.” I was thinking how much I loved that restaurant when he added, “I can't wait to see my niece.”
“One of your brothers has kids?”
“Yes. Chad, the second oldest of us. He divorced Bella’s mom a while ago, and we all kind of pitched in to help. All of us brothers spend a lot of time with Bella. But now that he’s engaged, we see less of her. I miss the little munchkin.”
Oh goodness. Be still, my beating heart. I took a few more sips of my drink.
"Easy there. Pace yourself," Julian said.
I giggled. "Yeah, whoops. I'm... Huh. I went a bit too fast."
"Want me to tell the bartender to prep the second one?"
I licked my lips. "No, I need to pace myself, like you said."
"Sure. Let me know when you’re ready. So, how is business going? Were the handmade masks a hit?"
I opened my mouth to answer, then froze. No, he can’t possibly be here. And yet there was no mistaking that profile. The blond hair cropped short, the high cheekbones, the suit.
Kyle Deveraux was standing here in the flesh.
"Georgie, are you okay?" Julian put a hand on my arm, holding me still.
Oh my God, I'd been swaying. I suddenly felt faint.
"Do you want to sit down? Are you feeling sick?" he asked.
"No, I just saw someone I’d hoped never to see again."
"Who?"
"My ex-boyfriend."
Julian followed my gaze. "Who is it?"
"The blond guy with a killer profile and shitty personality."
"Kyle Deveraux?" He sounded incredulous.
"You know him?" Crap. They probably ran in the same circles.
"Yes. Not my favorite person either," Julian said through gritted teeth.
I glanced down at my hands, grasping the glass even tighter, and then took a huge gulp, emptying it.
"I think I'm ready for that second Sazerac now."
Julian eyed me intently. I felt all kinds of hot under his scrutiny.
"Georgie..."
"Ha. No, mister. No warning me. Trust me, I need liquid courage."
"Julian, we need you here. There's been a mishap," one of the bartenders said.
"Georgie, are you okay?” Julian asked me softly.
“Yeah, sure.”
“I won't be long. I promise." Those eyes seemed even more surreal after the Sazerac.
"Take your time. I can't monopolize you for the whole celebration."
But suddenly that sounded like exactly what I needed. I felt safe with Julian even though I barely knew him.
"Second round for Georgie," he told the bartender without taking his eyes off me. Then he winked, and I swear my underwear felt tighter around my delicate parts.
The bartender looked at me in surprise, which was saying something for a bartender in the French Quarter. He glanced at my empty glass and simply nodded. "Right away."
I turned to face the bar, putting both elbows on the counter. I hoped to God Kyle wouldn't see me. I usually loved chatting with people at parades, but right now, I simply wanted to make myself small and invisible.
Of course, I had no such luck. Seconds later, I heard his familiar voice beside me.
"Of course I'd run into you here," Kyle said.
Taking in a deep breath, I steeled myself and turned around to face him. "Hello, Kyle."
He looked down at me and snorted, shaking his head.
"What?" I asked, tilting my head and putting one hand on my hip. I hoped my body language conveyed that I didn't give two shits about him and that his presence didn't affect me at all.
"I can’t believe you’re wearing that.”
"It's what I like. It's Carnival season, and I enjoy it."
"You can enjoy it and still have some taste," he said.
I scoffed. "Oh, Kyle, you and I are so done. I have no intention of taking any more abuse from you."
He stared at me. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
"You always like to make me feel like I'm beneath you."
"Make no mistake, you are. The things I heard from people when we were going out were insane. Starting with how you dressed to work at your little shop."
I was slowly dying inside. Why did his words still affect me?
"Here’s your Sazerac," the bartender said. He eyed Kyle. "Problem?"
"Mind your own business," Kyle told him.
"We're good." I tried to smile at the bartender, but I was certain it was more of a grimace.
Turning back to Kyle, I asked, "What are you even doing here? I thought you considered all the other establishments in the French Quarter way beneath yours. Oh, by the way, this is much better than the Deveraux Club."
He bristled. The one thing he couldn't stand was anyone telling him he wasn't the best at everything.
"I’ve got to check out the competition. And you liking this place more only tells me that mine is the superior one. Your taste is questionable."
I took a huge gulp of the Sazerac and then flashed him a smile. "Then so is yours, considering you went out with me for half a year."
His eyes turned cold, and I knew he was about to dish out some more crap, but that was okay. I had my Sazerac, and I planned to make good use of it.