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“Wouldn’t care. It would be SO worth it.” Taking a brief detour, Georgie closed Eden’s classroom door and headed back to the student’s desk and her lunch.

“I’m glad the Jays won—for the city, not that asshole,” said Eden. “Was it mad downtown Saturday night?”

“Total chaos. We headed straight home after our game.”

Eden shot Georgie some playful side-eye as she sat down. “Passing Oliver’s building on your way.”

Georgie didn’t take the bait and slipped her videocassette back in its white plastic case.

“But like I was saying before Brian, I’m stunned!” Eden picked up her Coke, poured into a World’s Best Uncle mug originally brought in by Laporte. “Finally! You jumped Oliver’s bones!”

“I didn’t jump his bones. I got shoved, and I would’ve fallen down the stairs if Oliver hadn’t grabbed me.”

“And you him.” Eden sipped her pop through a cheeky smile. “Ooh, I bet it was hot.”

Georgie snapped her mouth and videocassette case shut.

“And that’s…all I get?” Eden shook her head. “Sometimes I can’t figure you out. You’re a hopeful romantic where the Leafs are concerned, but when it comes to your love life, you’re as pessimistic as they come. Finding reasons not to date. Swearing off sex. Honestly, how you’re still not interested in Oliver is a bigger mystery than the Caramilk Secret.”

Georgie fiddled with her bracelet. “Well, actually, I, uh…am interested.” Mumbling into her lunch, she skirted eye contact. “Have been for a few weeks.”

Eden’s mug met the desk with a sharp clank. “Georgina Law! What the—” Her brows jumped, disappearing behind her bangs. “First, you keep the stair kiss secret for a week⁠—”

“I told you, there was no kiss.”

“And now this?! You LIKE him?” Jaw dropped, Eden blinked away into a huff. “I’ve been encouraging you to get together since day one and”—she glanced back, her gaze heavy with frustration—“don’t get me wrong. I’m overjoyed for you, but I’m also hurt you kept this from me.”

“E, I haven’t told anyone. Michael doesn’t even know. I mentioned how well the meeting went with Amalia but nothing else.” Georgie chewed the inside of her cheek. “I’ve kept quiet because I was trying to talk myself out of it. I didn’t think I was ready to get involved with someone again.”

“Oh no. You’re ready.” Eden laughed. “So ready you’re practically ripe!”

She blew out her lips. “Am I, though? That’s the thing, I don’t even know anymore.”

“Georgie, it’s been almost two years.”

“And maybe that’s my problem. Two years of doubling down, telling myself I don’t need a relationship because I always end up disappointed. And let’s be honest, my life is pretty fulfilling and busy as it is. I’ve got a career I enjoy⁠—”

“Most of the time,” Eden interjected.

“A team I love. A great mum and amazing, supportive friends. That’s more than enough, right?”

“Until it isn’t.”

Georgie nodded slowly. “I’ve been deflecting for so long it’s become second nature.” She let out a prolonged sigh. “But then Oliver shows up and he’s kind and asks me questions and actually listens.” She half-laughed. “He doesn’t say much, but when he does, he’s so damn interesting and worldly. The places he’s been, the things he’s seen.…his life is so intriguing, but he’s not a snob about it, you know? And those lips! My god!” Georgie collapsed face down in a heap on the desk. “They’re so fucking soft. They’re the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last when I fall asleep.”

Eden bounced her brows and tore open her barbecue potato chips.

Pushing herself up, Georgie swiped her hair out of her face. “But the more I’m with him, the more I question everything. What I’m doing. What I’m not doing. Why I’m doing it—or not.” She bit her bottom lip. “I try to listen to my gut, but god, it’s scary.”

“Can be, yeah,” said Eden. “Especially when you’ve been fighting against it for so long.”

“Yeah, that’s where my inner voice takes over. It’s constantly ‘Georgie, what the hell are you waiting for?’”

“What are you waiting for, Gi?” asked Eden.

She scratched behind her ear. “Maybe I’m…waiting for the other shoe to drop?”

“Makes sense with your history, but you might end up waiting forever and miss out on all the good things happening right now. You should enjoy these little moments and not question everything so much.”