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"Not at all."
Relief brought a smile to Georgie's face. "Whew! I was worried it would upset you."
"Really? For two of my favorite people to like one another? Why would that upset me?"
"Because I'm his PT, and we're not supposed to get emotionally involved." She admitted what they both knew to be an unwritten rule.
Naomie rolled her eyes. "Girl, you and Riggs are adults. I'll be thrilled if this thing takes you toward a shared path. If not, then I trust you'll part company as friends. Something I'm guessing you and Josh are unable to accomplish from the look of that lip."
Georgie hoped no one would notice the slight swelling and cut on her lip. When Josh slapped her, she bit her lip enough to draw blood.
Her gaze cut to Riggs, who hadn't noticed until Naomie mentioned it. "Josh did that to you?"
The words were asked in a tone of voice that made her a bit uneasy. As did the expression on his face. Riggs looked like he was ready to tear into someone. "I'm okay, and I handled it."
He was silent for a moment, then nodded. "That's good, but he better hope it doesn't happen again."
"It won't."
"Then it's all good," Naomie changed the topic. "And now, if you don't mind, I'd like to talk with Riggs about the next procedure and the IMES implantation."
"Have at it."
"Good," she sat, looking back at Georgie over her shoulder. "You want to stay, or do you have things to do?"
"I have some paperwork to take care of and need to set things up in the gym. Text me when you're finished."
"Will do."
"Then I'll see you both later," Georgie smiled.
"It won't take long," Naomie promised.
"Take your time," Georgie gave them another smile and left. Once outside the door, she let out a slow breath, relieved Naomie wasn't upset about her and Riggs. She honestly didn't know what she would have done if Naomie had been against their relationship.
She'd never pretended Josh was the love of her life. She never dreamed of him; he was not constantly on her mind, and she didn't spend any of her free time imagining their future together. In hindsight, she wondered why she became engaged to him.
Then she scolded herself for the lie. She said yes because it made everyone else happy. Him, her sister, and Naomie’s parents – all the people who cared about her and thought she needed a man in her life.
Josh was self-absorbed enough that it never dawned on him that she might not be crazy about him. She lied well enough to herself to make herself to believe she wasn't interested in a consuming love, one that occupied her thoughts and made it hard to think of anything else.
Georgie didn't believe she was even capable of that kind of emotion. Until she met Riggs, and that changed everything.
Inside Riggs' room, Naomie waited until Riggs finished eating, then opened the conversation. "So, you and Georgie?"
"I thought it wasn't a problem?"
"It's not." She wasn't keen on having this conversation because she loved Riggs and wanted him to be happy, but she also knew his history with women. Georgie was like a sister, and the last thing Naomie wanted was for Georgie to end up with a broken heart. "I just want to make sure this isn't one of those situations where you fall for your caregiver for the wrong reasons."
"You mean reasons like she's an amazing, strong woman who's overcome something that would crush the spirit of most people. That she's smart, brave, courageous, and doesn't let life keep her down? Or that she's gorgeous, sexy, passionate, and fun to be with? What part is the wrong reason?"
"I stand corrected and agree. She is all that. I guess I just don't want her to get hurt."
"Oh, so you think I'll just use her while I'm cooped up here, and if I make it back to full function – enough to return to active duty, I'll drop her like a hot potato, walk away, and not look back?"
"What would make you ask that, Riggs? Is that how you normally treat the women you get involved with who fall for you hook, line, and sinker?"
"Ouch!" he placed one hand over his heart. "Cut me to the quick, why don't-cha?"
