Page 15 of Taming Georgia

Seriously, Ethel?

The office door opens, and I turn my attention to Ethel and the new volunteer standing at the entryway.

My brows knit tightly. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

My face feels stone-cold despite the rush of blood that’s rising with my annoyance.

Georgia stands tall with a hard stare, evidently not happy to see me either.

I sneer, shaking my head. I never thought I’d see her face again. I hoped I wouldn’t.

“Is it safe to say that you two know each other?” Ethel looks between the two of us in a way that makes her curiosity evident.

“No,” I say at the same time Georgia says, “Yes.”

“No,” I say again. “She doesn’t know me.”

Georgia places her hands on her hips in one quick motion. “Oh, but you sure pretended to know me.”

“I do know you.”

Her blue eyes lock with mine, and pure disgust lines her features. “You don’t know anything about me, Wyatt Gates. Not a damn thing.”

“Why are you here? Is the little rich girl bored? Are you trying to prove something? Did you look me up?” I spout off questions in rapid succession.

She throws her head back in dramatic fashion, expelling a huff. “That’s amusing.” She turns her attention to Ethel, and the hatred on her face softens. “I’m going to get back to work. Let me know when you’re ready to give her that bath.”

“I knew you’d only last a day. Feel free to leave early!” I call out to her as she exits the office.

Ethel closes the door once Georgia’s out of the room and turns to me. “What was all of that about?”

“Nothing.”

“It was something. That’s more than you’ve ever spoken to a volunteer, though I can’t say I particularly enjoyed the words coming from your mouth.” She stares disapprovingly.

“I went to school with her. I don’t like her.”

“What does that matter? You don’t like anybody, but you’re never like that.”

“She’s not a good person, Ethel. I don’t want her here. Make sure she knows not to come back tomorrow.” I walk around the desk and fall into the chair.

“I most certainly will not.” She crosses her arms in front of her hideous cat sweatshirt. “She has been nothing but pleasant all day. From where I stand, she’s kind and sweet. I will not turn away perfectly good help because you want to throw a fit.”

“It doesn’t matter. She won’t show tomorrow. I’m sure this is more work than she’s done in her life.”

Ethel drops her hands to her sides and opens the door to leave. “Well, I hope you’re wrong,” she says over her shoulder as she walks out of the room.

Cooper trots after her.

Traitor.

I stay holed up in my office for the rest of the day, doing office shit—the stuff I never want to do—paperwork, calls, donation requests. I’d much prefer to be down in the kennels, helping with the dogs.

But I can’t stomach seeing her. Just the sight of her makes me go into an internal rage. The visceral reaction I get when she’s near, one of genuine anger, isn’t a welcome one. Yet I can’t stop it. Georgia reminds me of a time in my life I’d like to forget.

Every day back then was a battle to survive. I was in such a dark place until I met her. I thought for the briefest of moments that she could be the light I craved. Then, I discovered that she was the worst kind of shade.

She’d baited and pulled me in without a fight. I dropped my walls—my protections—and let hope sink in. In a world where I just wanted someone, she’d made me trust.

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