Page 21 of Georgia On My Mind (Southern Promises)

He leaned his forearms on his thighs and looked up at her. “You sure? If it’s gonna cause any financial strain, I can wait a little longer.” His brow furrowed with concern.

She loved Ethan. Over the years, their friendship had blossomed into something truly special. He was the brother she never had, always there for her through thick and thin. She had never lied to him until recently, too embarrassed to tell him she had resorted to living in the studio because of her financial burdens. She didn’t want to fail him. She couldn’t. Even though she had no idea how she was going to come up with the money to pay him, she knew she’d find a way. Franko’s proposition flashed through her mind. She quickly shook it off. “Absolutely, Ethan. I’ll have your check this weekend.”

Chapter Twelve

The sun shone brightly through the blossoming trees in the tiny, run-down park near the studio, throwing dappled light across Gia’s face. Hart wanted to put his arm around her but settled on walking closely next to her. She was draped in a giant wrap covering her so-called uniform and had changed into flats. Litter dotted the ground of the park, and a homeless man appeared to be sleeping on the top of a dilapidated picnic table. The sad scene held more tangible evidence that the area was run-down and forgotten.

“I used to play here when I was a little girl,” Gia said. “It was a lot different back then. No trash. No broken playground equipment.”

He looked around, trying to imagine the park during better times. “This is sad.”

“Yes, it is. But there’s still beauty in the rubble. I come over here sometimes when I’m in-between classes, especially on a day like today. Don’t you just love springtime in Atlanta? The colors and the light…it’s breathtaking.”

As the bees and butterflies flew around the blooming trees and azalea bushes, Hart thought to himself that Gia was breathtaking. When she looked at him with those big blue eyes, he found himself lost in her beauty. The way her lithe body moved, even on a walk through the park, she was gorgeous, and he was falling for her.

“Stop for a second. You have something in your hair.”

“Oh?”

Hart gently pulled a fuchsia redbud out of her black hair and handed it to her. “It’s raining flowers.”

Her smile made him bite his lip.

“So pretty.” She twirled the tiny bud between her fingers as they continued down the worn path, the sounds of nearby traffic whizzing by.

They talked about everything. How she and Ethan met when they were in junior high school. The names of her littlest students she had just taught and how precocious they were. How she became fascinated with ballet after seeing The Nutcracker at the Fox Theater when she was five. Having Gia finally open up to him engrossed Hart. One thing they didn’t talk much about was her family. When he would ask, she kept reiterating that her two closest friends, Ethan and Angel were her family. He couldn’t help but wonder what her parents must have been like when she was growing up.

“What about you, Hart?”

“What about me?”

She looped her arm through his. “How did you end up in the real estate business?”

He shrugged. “That’s easy. My father. He was very successful in the business and often let me tag along when I was just a kid. I loved it—the buildings, the construction crews, the tenants. I couldn’t wait to wear a three-piece suit like my dad and carry a briefcase. When I was eight, I dressed like him for Halloween. I even borrowed one of his old briefcases to put my candy in.”

Gia laughed. He couldn’t help but join in, thinking back to a very innocent time in his life; a time when he adored his father and wanted to be just like him; a time when his dad loved him unconditionally.

“You know, this area used to be part of his territory back in the day.”

“Really? I’ll bet it was a lot different.”

“Yes, it was. I remember coming to your strip mall. I think we may have eaten in the diner too, at some point.”

Gia stopped in her tracks. “That’s amazing! What are the chances of that?”

“I know.”

Their time together was almost up as Gia had another class to teach at five. They strolled back through the park toward the studio. Waiting at the crosswalk for the light to turn, Hart laced his fingers with hers.

“Can I see you tonight?”

She squinted in the sunlight and looked up at him. “I’m sorry, Hart. I have a gig up in Alpharetta.”

Disappointed, he tried again. “How about tomorrow night then?” He watched her cheeks blush, and she squeezed his hand. He wasn’t one to give up that easily.

“I’m free on Sunday. All day, in fact. Can you wait till then?”

Sunday was several days away. “You’re either crazy busy with work, or you’ve got a secret boyfriend hiding in your closet.”

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