Chapter Thirteen
Julian
The next morning, I called Beckett first thing when I arrived at the office. It was ten o'clock, but neither of us was an early bird. Even so, he needed about five rings. I was about to give up when he finally answered.
"Morning," he said lazily.
"To you too."
"Why do you sound so chipper?"
"Beckett, it's ten o'clock."
"Why do you say that as if it's like noon?"
I laughed. "Know what? You do you. It doesn't really matter."
"So, why are you calling this early?"
"Listen, you've got an invitation to the Landry party this season, right?"
"Yeah."
"You attending?" I asked.
"I RSVP'd already, so yes."
"I want to go in your stead."
"Why?"
"Because I have some unfinished business with Robert, and he'll be there."
"Sure, man. No problem."
"Did you RSVP just for yourself or with a plus-one?"
"There is no plus-one, you know that." A few seconds later, he said, "Wait, you're taking a plus-one?"
Xander was right. There was no way around this. I had to fill my brother in. I probably had to fill in the rest of the family, too, although I wasn’t sure how to go about it. I usually had nothing to update them on.
"I'm taking Georgie."
"How did that happen? I need some details."
"Relax, brother. We're pretending to be a couple."
But the word simply felt wrong. I certainly wasn't pretending that I was enjoying her company—and her mouth and body.
"I think I misheard. You said pretending?"
"Yeah."
"Why the ever-loving fuck would you do that?"
"She needs to get Kyle Deveraux off her back. I acted on impulse. One thing led to another."
He burst out laughing. "I knew that would eventually get you in trouble."
" You are lecturing me ?"
"Not at all. But I always figured that I’d be the one to get in trouble first.”
"So did I," I admitted.
"Who else knows in the family?"
"Xander."
"How the hell does he know before me?” he asked incredulously.
"He was at the Tableaus’ event yesterday. Can you get off my back?"
"No. This is the most fun you've been up to in a while."
"It wasn't fun. It was insane."
“Riiight." I could hear him grinning through the phone.
"So, can you forward me the Landry invitation?”
“Sure! Though now I'm actually tempted to ask for a separate one, just so I can come and give you shit in person. And talk to Georgie."
"Suit yourself. I don't mind."
He paused for a moment. "This thing with Robert is about his buildings in the Quarter?"
"Yeah."
"The one Deveraux wants too?"
"Exactly."
"Are you sure you're not doing this with Georgie because you're in a pissing contest with him?"
"Everyone is in a pissing contest with Kyle. Actually, he is in one with everyone. And no, this thing with Georgie..."
My voice faded because I couldn't explain it. I tried to remember what had motivated me back at the bar. She’d been so vulnerable that I'd wanted to help out no matter what.
"You're far too silent," I said.
"I have nothing else to add, and since you woke me up, I'd better start dressing anyway. Promised the grandmothers I'd drop by the house."
That gave me an idea. "Do you mind sharing the news?"
He was silent for a few seconds and then started to laugh. "You're using me to spread gossip?"
"Not exactly. But I figured they’ll find out one way or another. Quite a few of their friends were at the event yesterday."
"Now I'm getting what you mean. Sure, you can count on me."
"Thanks, brother."
After hanging up, I realized Georgie hadn't sent me the update she'd promised, so I texted her.
Julian: How's your ankle?
She didn’t reply, so I started my day. Half an hour later, I got impatient and sent her a second message.
Julian: If you don’t reply, I will come banging down your door. I'm not even joking.
She replied almost instantly.
Georgie: Sorry, I forgot. I was with customers. I'm all good.
I stared at her message. What the fuck? She's at the shop? That wasn't right. Yesterday, she was struggling to walk and leaned on me with most of her weight. Unbelievable.
I was about to FaceTime her, but now I couldn't focus for shit. All I could think about was if Georgie was in pain or not. Damn it. If I asked her, she’d just placate me.
I had to see her. So, I did something I rarely did and canceled my last-minute Zoom meeting. I came up with a shit excuse, but it would do. This was so out of character for me that I couldn't even believe I was doing it.
The Quarter was far livelier in the morning now that it was Carnival season. I arrived at Books & Beads ten minutes later. To my astonishment, there were a lot of customers milling about inside. I spotted Georgie chatting with one. I watched her intently as she moved around. She seemed to be doing fine. But still, I couldn't believe that she'd twisted her ankle yesterday and was at work today. Who did that?
Someone who has to show up at the store every day to make a living , the rational part of me said.
I often forgot how different our lives were. Growing up, my brothers and I wanted for nothing. Fortunately, we all had good work ethics. But we never suffered or wondered where our next meal was coming from.
But even though I saw Georgie was doing fine, I wasn't satisfied. I wanted to talk to her, so I went inside the store. Because of the damn bells, she immediately looked in my direction. Her eyes went wide.
"Excuse me," she told the customer she was advising. "I'll be with you in a few minutes." She walked straight to me. I took a few steps to the right so I wasn't in the way of anyone who wanted to come in. "Julian, what's wrong? What are you doing here?"
I swallowed hard. Fucking hell, it sounded ridiculous, but I owned up to it. "I wanted to make sure you're okay."
She blinked. "But I messaged you."
"I wanted to see you."
She opened her mouth and closed it again, looking down at her feet. "Honestly, I didn't even need a bandage or anything. I took an Advil last night after my shower." Then she looked at me and smiled brightly, tilting her head. "Which, by the way, was very easy to do."
I'd been obsessing over her in the shower the entire night. Did she know that? Did she have any idea how her words impacted me?
"It's not even tender anymore,” she continued. "It only hurts if I put all of my weight on this leg.”
"Fucking hell, Georgie, why didn't you take the day off?"
She looked at me strangely. "Because I knew the place would be full of customers. The rest of the team is at the warehouse, and I couldn't afford to close the shop."
"Let me call our doctor. He can come here to the store."
"Really, Julian, I'm fine. It's probably going to take a few days until it's fully healed, but that's no big deal."
What she was saying made sense. Yet all I wanted was to take her out of here and make sure she stayed in bed until it was completely healed.
My bed.
"You're sure it's not tender anymore?"
"Want to check?"
"Don't tempt me, because I'll take you in the back and do just that."
Georgie parted her lips, darting out her tongue. She licked her lower lip, then put both hands on her hips. "Easy there, cowboy. What's everyone going to think?"
"I don't really care."
Her eyes went wide. She probably realized just how serious I was. It was crazy. Absolutely crazy. But I couldn't help myself.
"Julian, I really appreciate that you care, but I don't want you to worry about me. I'm fine, okay?"
I swallowed hard, straightening up. What was I doing? I had no right to barge in here. No right to make any demands. Damn it if I didn't want those rights, though.
"All right. By the way, I cleared up everything for the Landry party. Once my brother forwards me the email, I'll send it to you, too, so you know all the details. Let me know if you change your mind."
"I won't."
"You can until the last minute. I really don't mind."
"But then who will be there to make sure you don't get into too much trouble?"
"What?"
She giggled. "Whoops, I'm sorry. I don't think Xander wanted you to know."
"What exactly?"
"He said to keep an eye on you."
"I don't need anyone to... Never mind. I'll have a word with him."
She looked over her shoulder, and I realized I was keeping her from working.
"I’ll go.”
“Thanks. I do need to get back to my customers.”
"Sure."
I felt my phone vibrate as I stood off in a corner. Beckett had sent me the invitation to the Landry party. I scrolled to find the date so I could tell Georgie.
What the actual fuck? That can't be right.
It was in a month, after Mardi Gras.
I immediately replied to my brother.
Julian: Is the date right?
Beckett: Yes.
I didn't want to wait a month to see her again. But then I had a brilliant idea. My party at the Marriott was coming up.
I waited for Georgie to finish with her customer and then got her attention.
She headed my way. “Something wrong?”
I cleared my throat. “The Landry party is in a month.”
She dropped her shoulders. “Oh. I figured it was going to be sooner.”
Why was she so disappointed? Because she couldn't chat up some of her past clients? Or because she wanted to spend time with me just as much as I did with her?
“I was actually looking forward to another event,” she continued.
“I have a solution. Every year, I rent a suite at the Marriott so we can watch the motorized floats from the balcony. I’d love for you to attend.”
She opened her mouth and licked her lower lip again. How can she be so delicious? Then her entire face lit up. “Wait, you still have invitations for that?”
“Georgie, it's my party. I'm inviting you.”
Say yes. Say yes.
“Oh, you need me there. It would look weird if your girlfriend wasn’t there, right?”
That hadn't even occurred to me, but it was as good as an excuse as any.
“Exactly. Besides, I'm certain you'll enjoy it.”
“I’d love to come.”
Her assistant called her name loudly. Georgie winced.
“I’ll text you all the details.”
I watched her walk away. Evidently, she was fine. Now that I'd seen her, I felt calmer, which made no sense whatsoever. But it didn't matter. I had no idea what possessed me to come here, but I was determined to get myself together by the time she and I went to the party.
But I instinctively knew I’d take care of her in any way I could.