Page 10 of Keeping London (Flawed Heart)

“Good thing I don’t love you for your money then.” Once we’re in the foyer, I turn and wrap my arms around his backside, firmly grabbing his ass. “I love you for your tight ass.” I wink.

He chuckles. “You do know that I’m going to lose that at some point, right?”

“Well, once your ass goes, all bets are off.”

“Ouch,” Loïc says with mock disappointment. “Well, just so you know, I will love you even when your ass sags and your face wrinkles up like a raisin.”

I gasp. “That is quite possibly the most horrifying and sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“I meant every word, babe.”

He shoots me one of his signature smirks, and I’m tempted to ravage him right here, but sadly, it’s not the time or place. So, instead, I lean up on my tiptoes and place a chaste kiss on his lips.

We take the elevator up to the top floor and walk toward the back of the building. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the hallway show a beautiful view of the pool and palm trees below. I remember that one of the biggest selling points for Georgia was this apartment’s wraparound balcony with views of the pool area.

I don’t bother knocking when I reach her door; instead, I walk right in.

“Londy!” My sister’s high-pitched screams greet us. Her long blonde hair bounces against her shoulders as she skips toward me.

“George!” I answer in just as an annoying fashion as I throw my arms around my sister in a tight hug.

“Oh my God, it’s so good to see you! I thought you would never get here!”

“It’s, like, ten in the morning,” I deadpan.

“I know, but you know what I mean,” she responds before directing her attention toward Loïc. “You must be the new hot boyfriend. So good to meet you. You know, you’re the first guy who London has allowed to meet the parents.”

“That’s what I hear.” Loïc extends his hand to shake Georgia’s.

She ignores it and hugs him instead. “I’m a hugger,” she says by way of explanation.

“Loïc, my sister, Georgia. Georgia, Loïc,” I introduce the two of them. “Where are Mom and Dad?” I ask.

“They should be here within the hour. They couldn’t leave last night, as planned. Dad had some work stuff to do, so they left this morning.”

“Is Dad really going to make it out?” I question.

“Yeah, I think he actually is. I spoke with Mom before they took off, and he was on the plane.”

“Wow, I would have bet money that he would have had something work-related come up and had to cancel.”

“I know. I feel like I haven’t seen him in forever!” she exclaims.

“I haven’t. I can’t remember the last time I saw him. Oh, yeah…my graduation.”

“That was the last time I saw him, too. It was only seven months ago, I guess, so not too long ago.” She shrugs.

“True, but can we really count that time? He stayed for one picture after the ceremony and then had to leave. He didn’t even stay for dinner.”

“I know, but that’s Dad.” Georgia sighs. “Leave the luggage here for now. Let’s go sit on the balcony. I just made a fresh batch of sangria. I tried a new recipe, and it’s so good!”

“Oh, George. Drinking already?” I tease.

“Hey, it’s five o’clock somewhere, right?” She’s referencing the Jimmy Buffett song; he’s one of my dad’s favorites. He used to blast Jimmy’s music all the time when we were growing up.

I grab a bottle of water from the fridge for Loïc, and we follow my sister onto the balcony. I ask about the boyfriend my sister acquired during her time gallivanting across the globe this past summer, “So, isFabiogoing to make it out?” I murder his name with a horrible Spanish accent.

“Fabio is no more,” she responds, handing me a glass of sangria before leaning back in her patio chair.

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