Chapter Twenty-One
Georgie
"You're in a great mood today," Zelda said as I bounced about the shop. That was an understatement. I was smiling constantly. "Is it because of that huge sale you just made?"
"Yeah, yeah, sure," I replied quickly, then turned around and arranged some of the new merchandise on the shelves. "How was the celebration yesterday?"
"Super crowded, but you know, the more the merrier. How was yours?"
"Fantastic."
"So that 's why you're in a good mood."
I looked at her over my shoulder. She was sporting a shit-eating grin. Clearly, she didn't believe my story about the sale.
"Hey, you're keeping secrets, but that's quite okay. We all do."
I turned around abruptly. "What do you mean, 'we all do'? What aren't you telling me?"
She put a hand on her hip. "Huh, so this isn't a two-way street, huh? I have to tell you everything, and you don't tell me anything?"
"I'm not sure exactly what to say," I admitted.
Because, well, Julian and I had a complicated thing going on. Everyone who'd been at the party believed we were dating. Now we'd spent a gorgeous night together, and I had no idea where that left us. The Landry party was hanging over my head a bit even though it was quite a ways away. How were we going to play that out? What if he decided that things were too complicated, and we'd better just drop the whole thing altogether?
My heart gave a strange squeeze at the thought.
"You just totally deflated," Zelda said.
"It's just complicated."
"Okay, then I’ll cheer you up with my story. I met the most amazing dude yesterday, and he asked me out."
"That's great! I already like the guy. He saw you, and he asked you out."
She grinned. "I do like a decisive man."
"When are you going out?"
"This weekend."
"Oh, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. All right, I'm going to go into the back," I said. "I want to check on some admin stuff. I'll come if the bell rings too often."
I immediately went into the small office, which was more of a storage room with a desk. It was just big enough for my laptop, and I wanted to check my emails.
I'd sent some queries last week. I didn't know where I got the inspiration, but I'd sat down at the desk and thought, Why not reach out to other businesses who might want to sponsor floats? Worst case, they’d turn me down.
I didn't have high expectations. But every day when I checked and there were no replies, my stomach did drop a bit. Today, though, I had an unread message. My eyes bulged when I read the sender. It was from the Hensley Corporation. They were among the clients who'd dropped me, and I’d written to them months ago. Why were they replying now?
I opened it with trembling fingers even though I wasn't sure what I was afraid of. They couldn't drop me a second time, after all.
Dear Georgie,
I apologize for the quick manner in which we ended our business relationship a few months ago. I received a call from Calliope Tableau and Isabeau LeBlanc, and we'd be more than happy if you could work on our float again next year. Between you and me, the costumes and decorations you make are much more exquisite. Let me know if you're still interested and can fit us in.
Signed,
Meredith
Oh my God, she replied to me personally.
I couldn't believe Calliope and Isabeau had talked to her too. Of course I was interested.
My eyes got teary as I hit Reply.
Yes, of course. Let me know if I should send the contract to you or your legal team. I'm looking forward to reconciling our business relationship.
Yeah, that sounded professional enough. I signed my name before sending it.
Oh, I could dance for joy!
"Good things come to those who bust their ass and make things happen," my nana always said. And she was right.
After closing my laptop, I glanced at my phone. Holy shit, this day was getting even better. I had a message from Julian. I could practically feel my heart expand. I realized I'd been truly holding on to hope that he would contact me. A part of me had been afraid he wouldn't.
Julian: How's your afternoon?
It was a simple question, but it meant a lot to me.
Georgie: We're having a bit of a lull, but it's been a good day so far. How about you?
Julian: I helped Mom at the gallery, put up paintings. In exchange, she put some interesting ideas in my mind.
I liked that he helped out his mom. He could easily pay someone, but he went there and did it himself.
Georgie: What kind of ideas?
Julian: About you. Not that I didn't have enough ideas of my own anyway.
Georgie: Your mom knows I was at the party?
Julian: Of course. I think by now half the family knows.
God, I wasn't used to this. I mean, I had my friends, although I hadn’t seen them in quite a while because I'd been in over my head since the flood. And I shared a lot with Zelda usually. But I wasn't used to other people knowing of my comings and goings. Then again, if they didn't, I probably wouldn't have gotten this client back, so I shouldn't complain.
Georgie: So, want to share those ideas with me?
Julian: The less you know, the better.
I rose to my feet, leaning against the desk, waiting for his next message with bated breath.
Julian: What are you doing this evening?
As I started to reply, he called me.
"Hey! What are you doing tonight?" he asked without further ado.
I was just about to say, "Nothing. I'm yours completely to have your way with me , " before realizing I did in fact have something to do.
Damn it. Pesky work, always getting in the way of fun.
"I have to do inventory and place orders. We’ve used a lot of stock that needs to be replenished. Unfortunately, I'll be here until late in the evening. Tomorrow too."
"How about Saturday?"
“I'm free Saturday." My heart was beating so fast that I almost felt nauseous. Did I suddenly have blood pressure issues or was I simply swooning? Yep, it was probably just the Julian LeBlanc effect.
"All right, then."
"All right, what?"
"Please reserve that evening for me."
"Reserve in what way? You want to, I don't know, talk about the Landry party?" I suggested.
"What?"
"I know it's a while away, but maybe we should be on the same page about it."
"Forget the Landry party. I just want to take you out."
I was definitely swooning. Thank God I had no blood pressure issues; otherwise, I’d be worrying about myself. But this was all good lightheadedness. I even had some butterflies in my stomach.
"Yes, of course. Sure. What are we doing?"
"I'm still planning that. I wanted to lock down the evening first."
"You sound like Tarzan."
He started to laugh. "If you put it like that, 'Me, Tarzan, you, Jane' works perfectly."
I started to laugh, too, but I wanted to know exactly what this date was going to be. Should I bring out the big guns? Sexy or super-sexy lingerie?
"So is this a— " I cleared my throat. "—dinner, or—"
"It's a date, Georgie. It's a date."
All right, then. Super-sexy lingerie was on the menu.
"It's a date. I like that."
"You do?"
"Of course.”
“Fuck yes," he growled. "Look, I know this started in a very unorthodox way."
"You could say that," I murmured.
"But you and I have something, Georgie. And I don't want to ignore this thing between us. Which is unusual for me."
The last bit sounded strange. Almost like he wasn't even ready to admit it to himself, let alone to me.
"Don't worry," I said in a serious voice. "I won’t take advantage of you."
"Thanks for the reassurance."
I was going out with Julian LeBlanc for real! I'd already started planning the outfit in my mind even though I had no idea what we were doing.
The bell rang, and I figured Zelda could deal with whoever it was. But then it rang ten times in a row, which told me a group had arrived.
"Listen, I think I have to go to the front and help Zelda."
"Sure. So, you're going to be staying up late tonight at the shop, huh?"
"Oh yeah. Honestly, probably until ten or eleven or something."
"And then you'll leave the Quarter alone at that time?"
"Yes. But it’s always full of people in the evening.”
"A lot of drunkards, too, among those people."
"Julian, I've lived here my whole life, and this won’t be the first time I'll be leaving my shop very late. I can handle myself," I insisted.
"I can walk you to the bus."
"No, no, no, no."
"Why?"
I didn't know how to explain this without sounding completely silly, but I had to try. "If I know you're waiting for me, I might not be able to concentrate on my work."
After a few seconds of silence, Julian burst out laughing. "Georgie, you can't mean it."
"But I do."
"I don't like the thought of you being out in the Quarter at night."
It was endearing that he was so protective. "Look, I'm far from where the main bars are. I rarely run into drunks around here."
"Your station is next to the cathedral."
Of course he wouldn't be fooled that easily.
"Yes, but I steer clear of Bourbon anyway on principle. My route is safe."
"I have another proposition. You text me when you're done, and I'll come to the store and walk you to the bus station."
"But what if it's late and you're asleep?"
"I don't go to bed early. And my house is in the Quarter, so it's no bother."
I felt a strange pressure in my chest. "Okay. Thanks a lot, Julian."
"See you later, then. Now go. I don't want to keep you from your business."
Hell yes! I was going to see him much sooner than expected, and I was over the moon!