Page 90 of Taming Georgia

“Not everyone in your shoes would’ve done the same. I’d say most wouldn’t have. You were without money your whole life, and when you got it, you spent it to help others. I mean, that’s incredible.”

“Have you seen my truck? It’s pretty sweet,” I joke.

“You know what I mean, Wyatt. You’re special—in here.” She places a hand on my chest.

“You’re the same,” I tell her. “Your heart is beautiful, and that’s one of the main reasons I love you.”

She stands up on her tiptoes and kisses me. “I can’t believe I’m dating a rich guy. My dad’s going to be so excited!” she teases, causing me to laugh.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I chuckle. “I’m as poor as they come—in here.” I point toward my head. “I’ll always feel like that kid with nothing, and I’ll never want fancy, extravagant things.”

There are two types of people with money—those who worship it and those who don’t. Of no fault of her own, Georgia was raised by the kind of people who worship money. They feel that money not only brings happiness, but also status and worth. I know that it doesn’t. It’s nice to have, no doubt, and I’m grateful that I can do the things I want without worrying about where I’ll get my next meal. Yet money will never bring true fulfillment, it will never make me better than anyone else with less, and it won’t make me more important by merely having it. Living a good life, knowing how to fill one’s soul with joy, is the true gift. Money is just a bonus.

“That’s fine by me. I think our life is perfect just the way it is.” Her lips tilt up in a smile.

“You know, had my mom found this money when I was younger, it wouldn’t have made a difference. I never cared about where we lived or what I wore. I truly didn’t miss not having the latest video game. All I ever wanted was to be seen and to be loved by the woman I loved the most, and she was so stuck in her own personal hell that she could never do either of those things. She never saw me, and she never loved me. Money wouldn’t have changed that.”

A tear falls down Georgia’s cheek. “She loved you, Wyatt. She might not have been able to show you, but she loved you. I know it because you’re impossible not to love.”

I kiss her forehead. “Want to go sit out on the deck for a bit? Maybe start a fire? I can make you a cappuccino.” I quirk an eyebrow up, knowing how much she loves cappuccinos from our new coffeemaker.

She claps her hands together. “Yes!”

“You might want to put your”—I look down to the complete chaos on the floor—“piles on the table before Thing One and Thing Two wake from the couch and go scattering them everywhere.” I nod toward the slumbering fur babies.

“Hey, you might not see it, but there’s an order to this madness.” She waves her hand over the floor.

Pressing my lips into a line, I raise both eyebrows. “I’m sure,” I say, shooting her a wink.

It’s a beautiful autumn day in Michigan. The bright, colorful leaves blow in the warm wind. The sun shines through the trees, making the yellow, orange, and red leaves almost twinkle as they dance.

I’m a grump by nature—or I was before Georgia—but even on my darkest day, a day like today would bring me joy. I always saw perfect fall days as rewards for making it through the rest of the not-so-great ones. Everything around me—the vibrant view, the touch of the soft breeze, the autumn smells, the sound of rustling leaves that creates a soothing symphony—all comes together in a sensory paradise.

I’ve started a small fire in our pit on the deck. Cooper and Mila run around the yard, playing keep-away with a stick. Mila’s really good at it as she whips her head around right before Cooper grabs it. He does have a good seven years on her though. It’s hilarious how Cooper refuses to just pick up another stick. Instead, he’ll chase her around until he needs a nap.

Georgia sits in the swing on the porch. She’s in yoga pants and a T-shirt, her hair pulled up into a messy bun without a stitch of makeup. She’s smiling as she watches the dogs play, and she’s more beautiful than she’s ever been.

God, I love her.

I still can’t believe she’s mine.

Most days feel like a dream because they’re so incredible. I never believed in true love or soul mates because the concept was so foreign to me. If one’s mother doesn’t truly love them, who else will? I believe now. No one on this planet is more suited for me than Georgia. She’s everything I wanted but was too insecure to hope for. Life taught me a long time ago not to wish for miracles, not to pray for perfection, but to settle with okay. Life doesn’t know a damn thing because Georgia is my miracle. She’s the perfection that fills me up with absolute love every single day.

She envelops me in a sense of security that I never knew existed. I’m no longer fearful of the future. I’m not waiting for the bottom to fall out beneath me. I have Georgia today, and I’m secure in the fact that I’ll have her always. She loves me in a way that only she can, and it happens to be the precise way I need to be loved. She is my soul mate, my forever. I’ve stopped questioning why I deserve her, why I’m so lucky. Instead, insecurities have been replaced with gratitude, and I give thanks by loving her with everything I have, every second of the day.

I hand her a mug of warm coffee. She pulls the cup up to her nose and sniffs.

“Mmm,” she says. “It smells like heaven in a cup. Thank you.” Her blue eyes shine up to me with a kaleidoscope of shades of indigo, all uniquely beautiful and mesmerizing.

“You’re welcome,” I say before returning to the house to grab something. I was going to save it for our first Christmas together, but I can’t wait any longer. It’s the perfect day, with the perfect girl, in this perfect life.

Today’s the day.

I come back with a big silver box wrapped in a large pink satin bow. Georgia’s eyes widen when I emerge from the house with her present. She places her mug down on the table and sits up.

“What’s that?” she asks, clapping her hands in front of her.

“Well, I got you a gift. I was going to wait until Christmas to give it to you, but I’m weak, and I want you to have it now.”

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