Page 34 of Slow Burn

“Why the hell are you going on dates with other people?” Elijah’s one hand moved up her arm and around her throat. “You’re driving me crazy.”

“You should be the one to take me out.” Finally, she found her voice.

He shook his head, his mouth coming close to hers again.

She pushed away from him, wishing he would step back so she could get the hell out of his office. “Then have fun watching someone else do what I asked you to do.”

Before he could answer, someone knocked on his office door. Anna shouted, “Georgia, you ready to go to Lighthouse?”

“Fuck,” Elijah groaned, his head arching back to look at the ceiling.

She scrambled off the desk. “No, that is something you will not be doing. Not with me, anyway.”

Georgia swung open the door and looped her arm through Anna’s. A night out with her girlfriends was much needed.

Screw Elijah.

CHAPTER

ELEVEN

SUNDAY MORNING, GEORGIA woke up to her phone buzzing. A reminder she was meeting her friends and brother for brunch in an hour. After the fastest shower, she threw on a navy-blue dress with ruffled sleeves, slipped into brown sandals, and headed for the door.

When she stepped into Sunrise Spoon, Sophie was sitting at a table with Anna. Giving them a quick wave, she headed over to their table.

“Where should I sit?” Georgia asked.

Sophie tapped the spot next to her in the booth. “Next to me. When your heathen brother gets here, I want him as far away from me as possible.”

Georgia slid into the seat. “You’d think I’d be used to you two fighting since it’s been this way all my life.”

Anna took a slow sip of her drink. “We need to talk before he gets here, so hurry up and get comfy.”

“We have another date for you scheduled for next Friday.” Sophie filled Georgia in on the upcoming plans. “His name is Dane Beaumont. He’s a nice guy and the new second-grade teacher.”

Their server came over, and Georgia ordered a water. They didn’t order food since they were still waiting on Nash.

“If he’s so nice, why don’t you go on a date with him?” Georgia asked, not sure if blind dates were the way for her to meet someone. Case in point, Adam Loughlin.

Sophie gave her a pointed look. “Because I already lost my virginity.”

“And you wanted to find someone to settle down with. After your last fiasco with Adam, this is a fresh start,” Anna sweetly reminded her. “Plus, if you still want to test the limits with Elijah, he will hear all about your date because Dane is friends with Sloane. She will definitely gossip about it because she has been talking nonstop about Dane’s move here.”

“Hello, ladies,” Nash greeted them, sliding into the seat next to Anna. “What are we talking about?”

“Georgia’s date on Friday,” Anna shared.

Sophie picked up her menu and stared at it like it was going to come to life. Her dramatics were overkill whenever Nash was around.

“Oh yeah? With who?” her brother asked.

“Whom,” Sophie corrected him.

“If you have something to say, don’t hide behind the menu.” As always, Nash pushed her.

Georgia was going to do her best to avert another argument between them. “His name is Dane.”

“Oh, the guy Sloane’s been talking about?” Nash scratched the scruff on his chin. “Who set that up?”