Page 42 of Saved from Obsession

“He’s so amazing, Hayden. He’s dedicated his life to helping people, first in the Army and now with Blade and Arrow. And he’s so smart, and kind, and funny, and he’s so handsome—he could get any woman he wanted.”

“And?”

“What do I have to offer him?” My nose tingles and I sniff to keep the building tears at bay. “I don’t have a job, I didn’t even go to college, my career as a model was all I had and now that’s gone. And I have this scar that people are going to stare at forever. It’s just—I worry that Leo will realize he can do better.”

The line falls silent long enough that I have to look at the screen to make sure the call hasn’t been dropped. Then Hayden’s voice blasts in my ear. “Georgia Dixon. If I were there right now, I would slap you silly.”

“What—”

“Don’t youdaretalk about yourself like that. You are kind and smart and determined andbrave—yes, you are, so don’t even shake your head at me, I know you’re doing it, but stop.”

Eeep. I freeze my head in place, wondering if she has a camera set up somewhere.

“You are beautiful, inside and out. You are the only person who thinks that scar means anything other than you survived something terrible. And you are doing Leo a disservice.”

I manage to croak out, “What?”

“Yes. Leo isn’t a kid; he’s a man who knows what andwhohe wants. And he wants to be withyou. I bet he’s told you how amazing he thinks you are, hasn’t he?”

My voice is tiny. “Yes.”

“So, you don’t believe him? Has he ever given you any reason not to trust him?”

“No. Never.”

“Okay, then.” She takes a deep breath and the next words are gentler. “I know you’ve been through a lot, G. And it has done a number on your confidence. But trust Leo—trust me—youareworth it. Youare. I promise.”

I can’t talk for a moment, my emotions too raw—I have to breathe deeply several times to wrangle them back below the surface. “Thank you,” I finally say, “not just for saying that, but for being such an incredible friend.”

“Anytime,” she says, humor returning to her words. “Now go get ready to spend the day with sexy Leo. You deserve it.”

Another day with the man I’ve fallen in love with, feeling much more confident thanks to my best friend? I can do that. “Okay, Hayden,” I agree, a smile building again. “I will.”

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

LEO

Ever since I woke up this morning, time has been my enemy.

Each minute that passes—seemingly faster than the last—is one less I get to spend with Georgia.

We’re at her house in Ballston Spa—we came here after checking out of the Sagamore yesterday—and I’ve been putting off my departure all day. Since I woke up this morning, I’ve been coming up with reasons to stay longer: checking the security cameras, taking Georgia out for lunch, checking her security again, and each time I glance at my watch, it keeps taunting me.

I’d stay another night if I could, but I’m scheduled to leave in two days for Atlanta to do a security consultation and training for a Fortune 500 CEO, and I need to be back at work tomorrow to prepare for it. It’s the kind of job I don’t usually mind—mostly finding holes in the pre-existing security infrastructure and coming up with ways to enhance it—but I never had to leave Georgia before to do it.

The job will be over on Friday and I’m planning to come here on Saturday, but that’s still four days of being apart after spending over a month together. And I never imagined myself as a man who would count the number of days he’s apart from his girlfriend, but that was back before I knew what it was like to love someone. To feel like she’s a part of me and I won’t be whole until she’s with me again.

Not that I’ve told Georgia I love her yet. At first, I told myself I should take more time, be sure of my feelings. But after our first night in Lake George, I knew there was no question that I love her.

I could have said it a hundred times since then, but the timing always seemed to be wrong. Someone passing by us as we stood by the lake, college kids waving to us as their boat went by ours, a server asking about dessert just when the words were about to come out of my mouth. And now I’m leaving and I don’t want the first time I tell Georgia I love her to be tinged with sadness.

I’ll do it this weekend. I’ll set up something special—maybe a picnic in the park, or I can cook her favorite meal here—just some place where we won’t be interrupted, andthenI’ll tell Georgia how much I love her.

But now… it’s after seven at night and I’ve put off leaving just about as long as I can. I’m checking her security cameras for a third time, which I’m well-aware is overkill, while Georgia watches me with sad eyes and a somber expression.

I hate seeing the sparkle in her eyes stifled, the rigid set to her jaw, the way her lips pull into a frown when she thinks I’m not looking. If I glanced in a mirror, I probably look the same way. Because it’s not just that I’m sad about leaving her, I can’t stop worrying about her, too.

“It’s probably okay, Leo.” Georgia puts her hand on my arm, stilling my hand as I adjust the camera mounted over her back door again. She gives me a little smile, but it’s strained, like the ones she used to give when we first met.

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