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“Yeah.”
“Okay, what can I get you?”
Georgia ordered coffee and a turkey sandwich then stared out the window onto the bow-bedecked streets of Holly Hills. Her expression bothered him, so he picked up the coffee Haley Anne had just poured him and walked over.
Georgia didn’t look surprised to see him.
“Oh, hey,” she said, all traces of smartass oddly absent from her tone.
“Hey,” he said, eyeing the spot across from her.
Georgia gestured to the bench opposite her. “Go ahead.”
He slid in, setting his coffee down, giving Haley Anne a little wave with his ticket so she knew he hadn’t bounced. Scenery was much better in this booth. “You look like someone shot your dog.”
Georgia blinked, something steely sliding into place behind those gorgeous, brown eyes. “Just tired. Who knew trying on dresses and making wedding favors was so brutal?”
He cupped his coffee and studied her. “Not me.”
Her brow crinkled. “Look, just because you gave me a ride and then kissed me outside Thirsty’s doesn’t mean you know me well enough to make a judgment about whether I’m upset or tired.”
“Sure,” he nodded again. “True.”
Her eyes reminded him of an abused dog he’d once nursed back to health—longing for some small crumb of affection but too afraid to allow him to touch her.
This time her eyes narrowed. “Why are you agreeing with me?”
“Because you’re right. I guess not too many people know you. Bet you like it that way.” He lifted his cup and sipped the acrid brew, waiting on her, giving her room to feel comfortable.
For a long moment, she stared out the window. Then she turned her attention back to him, her gaze taking in his hopefully not-too-stained shirt and nonthreatening posture. She swallowed hard and glanced around before muttering, “I went to see my paw paw today.”
“Oh, is he well?”
“No. He’s totally demented and doesn’t know a turnip from a kitten.”
Reed waited.
Georgia sucked in a breath, diverting her attention back to Haley Anne, who set down the sandwich, coffee, and ticket with a knowing smile.
“Thanks,” Georgia said before dumping half the sugar bowl into her coffee and taking a huge bite of the sandwich. Chewing, she continued. “Paw Paw’s over at the Glen Retirement Center in the Alzheimer’s unit. He doesn’t know me. Can’t even get out of the bed anymore. Just waiting to die is all.”
Something inside him twisted. Hurt, tinged with something else, was stamped all over the beautiful, normally self-possessed woman sitting in front of him. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
She nodded. “I haven’t seen him in a while. My cousin Tammy had to move him from Houston back here because of her back. She’s on disability and can’t oversee him anymore. Cooter’s been taking care of things, but I should have done more. Paw Paw raised me, and I pretended him away.” Her voice wobbled.
Reed wisely said nothing.
Georgia put her sandwich down and pressed her fingers against her eyes. “I’m a bad person.”
Reed reached over and pulled her hands away, turning them in his. “You’re not a bad person, Georgia. Anyone can see that.”
Her eyes screwed shut as she pressed her mouth into a line, trying to control her trembling chin. A small crumb sat in the corner of her mouth, making her more human and less magnificent sex symbol. “No, I am. I wished this whole life away, justifying not visiting him at Tammy’s, justifying the fact I didn’t want to remember my life here in Holly Hills.” Finally, she opened her eyes.
He squeezed her hands, letting her know he understood.
“Things were hard here, okay? I didn’t want to come back. Tammy moved him to Holly Hills this past May. I didn’t help at all. I didn’t want to see him because I’d have to remember who I was. I hated being me,” Georgia said.
Her fingers squeezed his with an almost painful grip. “I lied to my parents to get out of seeing them this summer. We all avoid things. None of us is perfect.”
