Page 53 of Promise Me Ever After
Amber screwed up her face. “You’re doing what?”
“I don’t really have the time to explain.” I clasped my hands together in mock prayer. “So, can I have the car?”
A beeping sound from the salon caught Amber’s attention. “I don’t have the time to quiz you about why Georgie is stupid enough to ask you for help with decorating. If I give you the car keys, will you help Curtis paint our place?” She went over to the coat rack, where her bag hung.
I crossed my fingers behind my back, hoping she wouldn’t see as I answered, “Of course!”
She dug into her bag and fished out the keys, dangling them out of my reach. “Make sure there’s a full tank of petrol?”
“Thanks, sis. You’re a life saver.” I grabbed them from her grasp and leaned over to give her a swift kiss on the cheek. She wasn’t always the annoying little sister after all. I dashed out of the salon, raising a hand to Belinda in thanks as well as I left.
Amber’s car was in the car park at the back of her apartment block. I settled into the driver’s seat, adjusting it so my knees weren’t touching my chin, then realigned the rear-view mirror. On the short drive to Georgie’s house, I thought back to how we’d ended the night. My mouth curved up as I remembered our kiss, the feel of her lips on mine, her soft curves, how our bodies fitted together. I’d wanted to stay over, but Georgie insisted I left. Something about taking things slowly. I found a parking space a few doors up from her house, parked and went to her front door.
I knocked and waited.
When Georgie didn’t answer the door straight away, I panicked, thinking she’d changed her mind. I knocked again, louder this time, hearing movement from inside. Was she hiding from me? Pretending she hadn’t heard? A second later, the door swung open.
“Yes, Mum, I’ll call you later. I need to make sure Darcy’s happy with the arrangements first. It’ll be fine.” Georgie rolled her eyes at me, phone clamped to her ear. “Look, I have to go. No, I’m not working until later, but I have things to do today. Bye!” She removed the mobile from her ear and stabbed the end call button with such venom, it was a wonder the screen didn’t crack. “Sorry, Alex. My mum called. She’s changed her mind about the wedding present she wanted to get Darcy and needed my opinion.”
We stood there an air of awkwardness between us. I wasn’t sure whether I should kiss her and at the same time as I thought I should, Georgie leaned towards me and our noses clashed. It broke the moment and we both laughed. She stepped back and kissed my cheek, one hand resting warmly on my shoulder.
“Come in, Alex.”
I did as she suggested and kicked the door shut behind me. “How’s your hand this morning?”
She glanced down, the cling film that had protected it last night replaced by a bandage. “It’s okay. Although I’m not sure if that’s down to the painkillers or your unorthodox nursing methods.” Georgie bit her lip, trying to stifle a grin.
Tempting though it was to sweep her into my arms and get a repeat performance of last night, I stopped myself.
“Why don’t you show me around the house?” I asked instead. “Let’s take a look at what needs doing, then we can make a list.”
“Top priority is a bed.” Georgie ground to a halt, covering her face with her hands. “Gah, sorry, that sounds like a really—”
“Good idea?” I waggled my eyebrows at her.
She slapped my arm. Seriously, if she started saying things like that, I’d fuck her on the sofa again anyway.
I followed her up the stairs. There were two bedrooms, one with an en suite, and a family bathroom. Both bedrooms were light and airy, needing little more than a lick of paint and some furniture. The bathrooms looked as if they had recently been renovated, which was a good thing because I knew fuck all about tiling.
“What do you think? Is this something you can help with?” Georgie’s voice broke into my consciousness.
“Don’t see why not.”
She beamed. “Excellent. Come on, let’s take a look at the rest of the house.”
We ended up back in the living room.
“Should be pretty straightforward in here.” I gestured to the walls. “Need to strip that paper off, but it shouldn’t be a hard job.” My gaze dropped to the floor. “Looks like the carpet was recently laid, so no need to replace that.”
Georgie nodded, an air of sadness falling over her. “It was the last thing Gran did before moving to the care home.” She wiped under her eye, then composed herself. “I’m going outside for a bit.”
I waited a moment before following her. When I got into the courtyard, Georgie leaned against the wall blowing smoke up into the air.
“Did you want to do anything out here?” I asked.
“No need.” She shook her head. “I’m not much of an outdoorsy person so I’ll think about it next summer.”
“You mean you don’t need a patio heater and a swing seat to come outside and smoke?” I hadn’t meant it to come out as an accusation.
