Page 31 of The Charmer

"Yes. Umm... I'm really sorry about Mom. I don't know why she acted like that. She's usually calm and warm."

"She was calm and warm. She just warned me not to hurt you. She wants to protect her daughter. I understand."

Georgie stopped in her tracks. "Oh, Julian, she actually said that? I'm s—"

"Don't apologize." I instinctively touched the side of her face. The contact felt so damn good. It wasn't nearly as good as kissing her, but it came pretty close. "I tried to explain what was going on, but she didn't seem to buy it."

Georgie laughed nervously. "I tried too. She came over to bring me this dress. It's hers. It's appropriate for the event, right?"

"You could wear nothing and I swear you'd be the best dressed woman there," I told her.

Her eyes widened. "Julian, the things you say."

I cleared my throat, but instead of changing the subject, I doubled down. "I mean it. You look fucking amazing. This dress is fire on you."

She gave me a brilliant smile as I opened the car door for her.

***

Even though there was traffic, we reached the Garden District in time. Finding a parking spot was another story, though.

I scoffed at all the Aston Martins and Ferraris. Everyone liked to show off at these things. As we drove past a yellow Ferrari, I felt Georgie stiffen.

"What’s wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing."

"Georgie?"

She'd talked my ear off about all the ball traditions she'd read about, and now she’d suddenly gone quiet. And she was very, very pale.

"Are you feeling sick?"

"No. I just saw Kyle's car."

I groaned. "Fuck, I didn't think about that. Of course he’s here."

"He's probably going to be at most of those events of yours.”

"I do run into him a lot during this season," I admitted. "We don't have to go. I’m fine doing something else, just having a fun evening out."

Georgie looked at me, and a hint of a smile played on her face. "You're wearing a tux, and I'm wearing Mom’s best dress."

"We can go to a fancy restaurant and have a delicious meal."

"But you RSVP'd that you're coming with a plus-one," she whispered.

"Fuck that RSVP. I don't give a shit about it. I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable in any way."

Georgie closed her eyes for a brief moment. When she opened them again, they held a strange determination.

"I don't want to hide. He and I live in the same city. I mean, we don't run in the same circles, but we're bound to bump into each other from time to time. I'm not a coward, and I have no reason to hide."

"Of course you don't. But that doesn't mean you have to face him tonight."

"I don't want us to leave, Julian."

"Are you certain?”

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