Page 21 of Promise Me Ever After
Because I’m scared what might happen if I do.
Because I’m not sure if I’m ready to trust another man yet.
So many reasons.
“I think my ex broke me,” was all I could manage as a response.
“Bollocks.” Ems let out something close to a snort. “You’re making excuses. Come on, Georgie, it doesn’t have to be anything serious. Why don’t you just have some fun? A fling?”
A fling sounded tempting. Given my history though, could I make sure it was only that?
“He hasn’t shown any interest,” I lied. “For all I know, he’s already got a girlfriend and I’m invisible to him.”
The way Alex had looked at me when I’d collected the prize brought the hairs up on the back on my neck. How his intense blue gaze had taken its time in studying me.
I wasn’t invisible to Alex. And he wasn’t invisible to me.
But jumping into something again scared me.
My romantic history wasn’t exactly littered with rose petals of success. Two broken engagements and a string of short, failed relationships didn’t make for pleasant reading. It wasn’t how I’d expected to be this close to thirty. While I didn’t feel like time was running out, I knew I deserved more, deserved better than I’d experienced to date.
“What if he cheats on me like Russ did?” The words slipped out.
“You can’t compare Alex to your ex. Georgie, you’re talking about having a guy cook dinner. At least get a decent meal out of it. Come on, you spent enough money whether you meant to or not.” Ems paused. “Look, I can even see if I can change the bid amount so it’s not so outrageous. Although it would still have to be higher than the second bidder.”
“You don’t have to do that.” I couldn’t let her. I’d already humiliated myself by calling Russ last night to ask for the money. Someone may as well benefit from my stupidity. “I wouldn’t want you to get into trouble.”
“Then talk to Alex. Have the dinner. Go on the date. Enjoy yourself, Georgie. What’s the worst that could happen?”
I hadn’t known Ems all that long, but she had a point. Enjoyment had been hard to come by the past couple of months. I was overthinking things. Worrying about them when they hadn’t even happened.
But I couldn’t deny the excitement I’d felt last night when Alex was close to me, when his skin grazed mine. Was I protesting too much?
8
Alex
Georgie Cavanagh paidthree thousand pounds for me to cook her dinner?
Fuck, I’d do it for free.
The thoughts tumbled about my head, hand palming my shaft as I jerked one out. She’d got me behaving like a horny teenager. I rested my other hand against the shower wall, eyes screwed up, visions of Georgie’s face and body my focus. My release came quickly—no pun intended. I cleaned up and stepped out of the shower, towelling myself off. Fantasy really needed to become reality. If last night was anything to go by, it wouldn’t be long before it did. All I had to do was make my move.
Once I’d dressed, I headed downstairs. Mum had one of her favourite chefs on his Saturday morning cooking show blasting out from the telly. I’d get no sense out of her until it had finished.
“Mum, I’m going over to Curtis and Amber’s, then straight in to work. I won’t be back until late.”
“Mmmhmm.” Mum’s eyes didn’t move from the screen. “You couldn’t make me a coffee before you go, could you, love?”
“Sure.” While I waited for the kettle to boil, I grabbed a clean set of chef’s whites from the clothes horse in the kitchen and shoved them in my bag for my shift.
The adverts were on when I went back into the living room and handed Mum her coffee.
“Thanks, Alex. I think last night was a success, don’t you?” Mum took the mug from me and looked up expectantly. “I missed who it was that won your prize. Was it Melody Johnson?”
“No, Marcus has that pleasure, thank God.”
Mum would find out soon enough about Georgie’s bid, I didn’t need to tell her now. My phone rang, saving me from saying anymore. “It’s Curtis.” I swiped the screen. “What’s up, buddy?”
