Page 66 of Any Luck at All

He pulled away from Georgie, mood deflated by Maisie’s sour, disapproving expression as much as by the fact that she had clearly ignored his message. What was it with his friends today? Why did everyone but his aunt want to stand in his way?

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” Maisie said in an airy tone that probably didn’t convince Georgie and certainly didn’t convince River.

“Didn’t you get my message?” he asked. He studiously ignored Hops, who had started licking his shoe.

“Well, yes, plus about ten texts from Finn. And Beau’s neighbors have started a group on Nextdoor for citizens concerned about Jezebel’s escape.”

Which was exactly why he’d made a point of turning off his phone earlier. He didn’t want to deal with any of that tonight, or ever really.

He shot an apologetic look at Georgie. She smiled at him, but this wasn’t her natural, warm smile. She was struggling for this one. Plus, she was clearly embarrassed they’d been caught. Again.

“I told you I’d go into all of the gory details tomorrow, Maisie. Georgie and I have had a long night, and we’re both tired.”

Maisie gave him a look that said she knew exactly whattiredwas code for. “I know, which is why I brought you takeout. Surely you’re both hungry after your ordeal.”

He glanced at Georgie again. “Hey,” he said, “you want to go wash your hands in the bathroom? I’ll use the sink out here.”

He could have invited her to take a shower, but he still hoped to do that with her. And he also didn’t want to embarrass her in front of Maisie.

“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea,” she said. “Nice to see you again, Maisie.” Then she took off almost as fast as they’d retreated from that rat. It wouldn’t take her long to wash her hands, but from the look in her eyes she knew what he really wanted—a moment to convince Maisie to leave, or to shove her out the door if she wouldn’t go peacefully. She’d give him the time he needed.

River headed to the kitchen sink and washed his hands thoroughly before stooping to pick up Hops—still going at his shoes—and carrying him over to the table.

“What gives?” he asked. “I get that you and Finn don’t approve, but I’m not some lost puppy or project. Not anymore. You guys don’t get to decide for me. I’ve finally met someone I like—really like—and it feels like everyone keeps thinking of reasons I shouldn’t be happy.”

Her stubborn expression slipped, and a stricken look took its place. Almost as if she was on the verge of crying, and Maisie hardly ever cried. Even after she lost her parents. Shit, maybe he’d been too harsh.

He softened his tone and said, “Look, I’m sorry about the computer, and if you’re up for it, we can go computer shopping at lunch tomorrow, and I’ll tell you the whole sordid story. But I need to be alone with Georgie tonight. I’m asking you to understand.”

“River,” she said, reaching out to touch his arm, “I do understand. I just don’t want you to get hurt. You’re clearly in this, but is she?”

He smiled, looking down at Hops because he didn’t want Maisie to see his eyes. He felt the vulnerability there. The doubt. “I guess I aim to find out.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Georgie washed her hands for long enough that she likely would have been clean enough to perform surgery, yet she still wasn’t ready to leave the bathroom. Not while River was dealing with his friend.

Other than Dottie, it seemed like everyone in his life hated her. Or at least the important people. First Finn, now Maisie. Except she supposed Maisie had shown her disapproval first. Georgie couldn’t help thinking Maisie disliked her because she herself was in love with River. But even so…

Josie would have taken it for a bad sign, and she couldn’t help but wonder if there was something to that. It didn’t help matters any to know that at least two of her three siblings would have a coronary if they knew what she was up to.

Georgie sat down on the toilet lid, surprised when tears stung her eyes. She wasn’t much of a crier—her father had made sure of that—but damned if this didn’t sting. The connection she felt with River was so much stronger, so much more alive than anything she’d experienced with another man. Her body flushed just thinking about the electricity in his touch. Had she ever blushed more than in the last few days? But with so many people against them…

One night. Just one night. You owe it to yourself.

She was a logical person, though, most of the time, and she knew it would be so much harder to resist him if they slept together. Once she walked through that door, could she really walk back out?

Would she want to?

But Georgie Buchanan had a resolve of steel when the situation required it. She knew she could resist him. Was the same true for him?

She got up and opened the bathroom door, deciding that while the discussion between River and Maisie was very much between them, it would be cowardly for her to keep hanging out in the bathroom. Steeling her back, she headed down the hall to the living room, prepared for Maisie’s icy glare, but all she found was River holding Hops in the middle of the room, staring at the closed front door.

He turned to look at her, his eyes troubled, and guilt quickly slid into her head. The last thing she wanted to do was come between him and his friends, even though she had a pretty strong suspicion he and Maisie were not on the same page. It wasn’t her place to say so.

“River…”

He set the puppy down and walked toward her. “Georgie. If you changed your mind, you don’t have to explain yourself to me. After Maisie and Finn, I can’t say I would blame you.”

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