Chapter Twenty-Nine
Georgie
The day of the Landry party came much sooner than I expected. It had seemed so far away, like it would only happen in months, but then it snuck up quickly enough. With the Carnival season over, my business was back to focusing on books. We were already working on the designs for next year’s floats but weren’t in a rush.
"You were right," I said, taking in a deep breath and smiling at the crowd gathered in the garden at the Landrys' home. This was right up my alley. Everyone was laughing and holding a drink, but they weren't champagne flutes. The guests all had either a cocktail glass or a beer, some even drinking from the bottle. I was wearing a dress again, but it was very casual, as Julian had instructed. And I was in flats because I wasn't risking another ankle incident. It was already seven in the evening and dark, but there were plenty of lights around the yard—and heaters, thankfully.
"Let's say hi to the Landrys," Julian suggested.
"Sure."
He took my arm and led me across the yard to a couple who were probably the same age as Calliope and Bo.
"Julian, how good to see you. And this is the famous Georgie," Mr. Landry said.
How did he even know my name? Oh, from the RSVP, probably.
"Yes, it is," Julian replied.
"Thank you so much for having us," I said wholeheartedly. "I'm already enjoying the festivities."
"That's what this is all about. We were very lucky to have such great weather, but if it changes, we’re ready to take the party inside."
"It's usually not outside?" I inquired.
"No," Mrs. Landry replied. "It depends on how long the Carnival season is. We always wait until after Mardi Gras to have the party, but it usually doesn't end so late in the year." She waved to someone off to the side and then smiled at us. "I hope you have fun. Maybe we’ll catch up later."
"Of course," Julian replied.
Once we stepped away, he kissed the side of my head again. I loved when he did that. "You okay?"
"Sure." Even though I knew Kyle was attending, I was remarkably relaxed. Honestly, I didn't really much care about him anymore. I was strong now. I wasn't sure when that had changed, when he'd lost the power to hurt me, but I knew Julian had a lot to do with it. I’d changed since he came into my life. And I couldn't be happier about that.
"Should we find Robert?" I asked.
Julian nodded. "I already spotted him."
Robert was near the long table where there were a lot of different dishes. This truly was a party after my own heart. I even spotted a band at the side of the yard. I couldn't wait for some dancing.
He was picking up a bottle of beer. Clearly, he liked the casual atmosphere too.
"Hello, Robert," Julian said.
He glanced up from the table. "Hey." He shook Julian's hand and then mine. "Nice seeing you two here. I think I'll come back for food later. Want to walk with me for a bit?"
"Sure." Julian took my hand. I liked being completely glued to him. I craved every touch, and his nearness in general.
"Have you given my offer more thought?" Julian asked.
“Jumping right into business, huh?”
Julian didn't reply, but I knew he was getting impatient. It wasn't as if this was the first time he'd wanted to seal the deal.
"We're here to relax," Robert said, and Julian shook his head.
"Look, Robert, I'll be honest. This has been dragging on for far too long. I'm going to take it as you're not interested. No hard feelings, but I need to move on and find someplace else."
Robert's face fell, and I felt a small amount of satisfaction. My man had some sweet negotiation techniques.
"Damn, you LeBlancs are always in a hurry. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I've actually been doing some digging about you and Kyle too. I’d much rather you buy my buildings."
I swear I could feel Julian's rib cage expanding in pride. I wanted to jump up and down with joy. Yes, yes, yes. I was extremely happy for my man and also ecstatic that Kyle was out of the running. It was nothing less than he deserved.
"That's great news indeed," Julian said. "How fast can we move forward? I can have my team draft up some contracts for tomorrow."
Robert chuckled. "I don't usually move that fast, but if your team does, and all I have to do is ask mine to double-check it, go ahead. Terms are the same as discussed, what you gave me on the proposal sheet. And between you and me, I do need to get rid of those buildings fast. They're just eating up money since there are no businesses in them."
"I'm happy to take it off your hands," Julian said smoothly.
"So, how are you two doing?" Robert asked, looking from me to him. He genuinely seemed interested.
"We're good," Julian replied.
"Any plans for the future? Just saying that if there's a LeBlanc wedding, I wouldn't mind getting an invitation."
I stiffened. Julian simply laughed.
"Way to put on the pressure," he said. "No plans for now, though we are looking at buying a huge-ass place with a big yard, white picket fence, all that."
My entire body warmed up. Even though I loved the idea of living in the Quarter, the house Julian just painted popped into my head in complete detail.
"Now that sounds like a plan. Keep it up," Robert said. "Ah, speak of the devil."
I glanced over my shoulder. Kyle was heading our way, already frowning at me and Julian.
Oh, this is going to be so good.
"I see LeBlanc got to you first, Robert. Hope you didn't seal the deal already," Kyle said.
"As a matter of fact," Robert said, "we did. Sorry, Kyle. Some things I found out about you weren't to my liking at all."
For the first time ever, I saw Kyle completely bewildered. He jerked his head back. "Whatever lies you found, Robert, I can prove that they are not true. And LeBlanc doesn't exactly have my best interest at heart."
"I didn't say a thing," Julian said, clearly enjoying this.
"Don’t insult me. I do my own research, boy," Robert said in a somewhat cutting tone. "And the buildings go to Julian. Now, if you'll excuse us, we still have to discuss some details."
Kyle looked even more bewildered than before. We moved away from him because he clearly wasn't going anywhere.
Robert shook his head. "He certainly didn’t take that well. Very unprofessional of him."
"Thank you for your trust," Julian said.
"You know what? Let's hammer out some details after all," Robert replied. "Since we're here anyway, let's not postpone this any longer."
"Gladly!"
"I'm going to look around a bit," I said, wanting to give Julian some privacy.
"Sure, babe. Let me know if you need me."
I was still swooning at his description of the house we’d buy. Was it possible that Julian was envisioning a future for us? Because goodness, I definitely was. He and I hadn’t been together that long, but my entire heart belonged to this man. For the first time since the fiasco with Kyle, I dared to think about entrusting Julian with my future too.
I glanced at the buffet, eyeing a jambalaya I really wanted to try. Ever since our night at The Apothecary, I kept wanting to taste every jambalaya I could get my hands on. But I wasn’t very hungry yet, so I moved toward where the band was getting set up.
"What the hell was that?" Kyle's voice came from behind me as I looked at the musicians' instruments.
I turned to look at my ex lazily. There were quite a few people around us, and he wasn't bothering to keep his voice down.
"What are you talking about?"
"That business with Robert and LeBlanc. I don't buy that LeBlanc had nothing to do with it."
"Funnily enough, Kyle, he didn't. But you know what happens when you're being a scumbag? Word travels."
"You take that back," he growled. "What do you know about business anyway?"
"Honestly, nothing at all about your business. And news flash: I don't even care. Never have. But you’re a jackass overall. That I can attest to."
I realized that several other people were watching, but who cared? They should hear this. I had nothing to hide.
"You weren't even man enough to break up with me. You asked your new girlfriend to do it." I raised my voice so everyone close could hear. "That's right. I went to his club to see him, and he actually sent his girlfriend to break up with me.”
Kyle took a step back, looking around. "Take that back."
"It's the truth!"
He was getting red in the face. Kyle loved appearances more than anything else. And this made him look really bad.
Movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. Julian was walking up to us.
"Problem?" he asked.
"You two are fucking unbelievable!" Kyle exclaimed. I thought he might push more, but apparently the public humiliation was enough for him, as he turned on his heel and left.
Julian looked down at me, concern etched on his features. "Babe, are you okay? Sorry, I didn't even realize he'd come up to you.”
"I'm perfect, actually. It feels so good to get things off my chest."
His face transformed into a smile. "You were spectacular."
I gasped. "You heard me?"
"The entire party heard you, but that's okay. That jackass fully deserves it. I think people are starting to get the picture of what Kyle and Beau Deveraux are all about."
"I think so too. And you know what? His presence didn't bother me one bit."
"You mean that?" Julian asked, caressing my jaw.
"I nodded. "Yeah, I truly do. And I have you to thank for that."
"No, babe. You're always strong. He just made you forget that."
"Anyway, I want to repay you."
"How?"
"With some dancing and then later... oh. Nothing later, because I need to get to bed early tonight. I've got an early morning tomorrow. I'm getting a delivery."
"We'll negotiate later," Julian said, taking my hand and leading me over to where the band had set up.
He hadn't exaggerated. The music was truly exquisite at the Landry party. They played jazz, but also a lot of other genres. It was always rhythmic, always perfect for dancing, and I congratulated myself for wearing flat shoes.
By the time Julian drove me home, it was truly late in the evening. I was almost asleep when we arrived at my house.
"Are you sure you don't want me to stay?" he asked.
"No, because I've got a super early morning, and you tend to keep me up all night."
He grinned. "I can be on my best behavior."
I narrowed my eyes at him playfully. "Nah, I don't trust you to keep that promise."
He shrugged. "Just as well. I don't really trust myself either, to be honest." He interlaced our fingers and kissed the back of my hand. "I had fun today."
"Yeah, me too. I have to say, you were really good with that whole 'big house, white picket fence' description." I felt my heart grow just remembering it.
Julian barked out a laugh. "I can't even believe that myself. I managed to make that up on the spot."
My heart shrank instantly.
"It was bizarre," he continued. "I never think about the future in the first place.”
Crap, why had I thought he'd meant it? And why was I feeling so disappointed that it had all been make-believe?
Probably because I'd loved what he’d described. I could see myself at his side forever.
But clearly, he didn't.
"Wait, I'll walk you," he said as I opened the car door.
I waved my hand. "Not necessary.”
“I can be on my best behavior if I don't get inside the house."
"Somehow I don't believe that either," I murmured. I suddenly wanted to be alone.
"All right, then. I'll stay here and ogle you until you get inside."
I laughed before I got out of the car, darting toward my entrance with quick steps. I could feel him watching me. Once I unlocked the door and pushed it open, I glanced over my shoulder.
"My offer still stands," he called out.
"No chance," I replied before ducking in and leaning against the door.
Oh goodness, the evening had been a doozy. The only good part of it had been Julian so enthusiastically describing our hypothetical future house.
The bad part was that none of it had been real.