Page 30 of Georgia On My Mind (Southern Promises)

“At least you learned a lesson and moved on, right?” She watched him struggle to agree. “Hart, you’re a one-woman-man now. At least, I hope you are.” She kept her tone teasing, grateful the conversation focused on him.

He smiled as he leaned across the table to kiss her sugary lips. “You’re the only one I want, Gia. You know that.” Taking a quick sip of coffee, he changed the subject. “How was your night? You look tired.”

She slumped against the back of the booth, her false eyelashes feeling heavy on her eyelids. “I am. Tonight was… rough.”

“What do you mean? Did something happen?” He bristled.

She shook her head. “It’s just these rambunctious bachelor parties. The guys sometimes assume they can offer more money to keep me from leaving.” She wanted to be honest with him about her aunt’s ring and tell him the truth about being tempted by the quick money, but she knew it would probably make him angry. He had warned her early on when they were first getting to know each other that he had a short fuse. Apparently, it was something he inherited from his grandfather. She had seen it surface a handful of times, usually in deplorable Atlanta traffic, but it never caused her to be concerned.

“I hate that job, Gia. I remember the very first night we met when that manager made a pass at you. I’ve offered before, and I’ll offer again. Please, let me help you financially until you can get back on your feet. You won’t have to do this anymore. To be honest, I don’t want you to do this anymore.”

Her heart fluttered with hope. Could she accept his generous offer and allow him to take care of her? She had always been on her own. The thought of a man being in control made her uneasy. She glanced at her half-eaten donut on the paper napkin in front of her, her appetite replaced with embarrassment. “You’re getting back on your feet too, Hart. I’m making ends meet. It’s just hard sometimes. It’s not forever.”

Hart threw his napkin down in a huff and crossed his arms. “What if I don’t want you exposed to this kind of harassment anymore, huh, Gia? I worry every weekend about some strange guy groping you or attacking you after a gig. Why do you continue to subject yourself to these kinds of sleazy advances? You’re so much better than that! Why do you keep going back for more? And don’t say it’s because of the money.”

Gia met his heated gaze and nodded slightly. “But you know it is. Look on the bright side, Hart. At least I’m not an exotic dancer in a club like my mother was.”

“Damnit!” He suddenly stood and paced with his hands on his hips. She knew right then she had pushed a hot button, his short fuse erupting in a blast of anger. Why she said that about her mother, she wasn’t sure.

A few curious patrons looked their way as Gia stood slowly. “I’m sorry, Hart. I shouldn’t have said that. You’re very generous, but this is something I need to work out for myself, okay?” She wanted to reach out and touch him, to reassure him that her job with the Atlanta entertainment company wasn’t forever.

“Yep,” he managed to say through gritted teeth. “I’m not hungry anymore. I’ll walk you to your car.”

Disappointed, she nodded and grabbed her purse, following him. When they got to their cars, he opened her door. She paused, hoping he’d at least give her a kiss goodnight. When she realized that wasn’t going to happen, she got in the driver’s seat with tears welling in her eyes. “I’m sorry about tonight. It was good to see you.” Her voice was tinged with sadness as she looked up at him.

“I’ll see you later, Gia. Drive safely.” He slammed the door and quickly got in his car, leaving her alone.

Turning the key in the ignition, Gia waited before backing out. The night had not gone as planned, and she was upset they had quarreled. It was their first official fight as a couple, her day becoming the worst in ages. His intentions were honorable, but he needed to understand that she had been on her own for most of her life and wanted to figure things out for herself. He, too, was in the middle of a transition, and she didn’t want to hinder his progress. Swiping at her wet cheeks, she put the car in reverse, ready to get back to her studio and collapse after the long day.

*

Hart seethed. Why did Gia keep refusing to let him help her? Of all the women he had dated over the years, she was the most stubborn and independent, which drove him crazy. It was also why he was so drawn to her. He hated that he allowed his temper to erupt in a public place. And this was the first time his anger had been directed at her, which surprised him because they usually got along so well. Driving two car lengths behind her, he couldn’t help but feel remorse for his behavior. He knew he was acting like an asshole. Gia worked too hard, and she didn’t deserve him chastising her on top of everything else. He had commented on how tired she looked, and now he had ruined the evening by acting like an entitled prick. Determined to make things right, he decided to follow her home and apologize with a long, overdue kiss.

The Friday night traffic was congested, and Hart had a hard time keeping up with her. He was surprised when she turned into the strip mall of her dance studio and thought she might be going to the diner to commiserate with her friend, Angel. But she didn’t go into the restaurant. She went straight into the studio.

Perplexed, he parked in the shadows and waited fifteen minutes to see if she might have forgotten something and would come back out. When she didn’t, he decided to find out what was going on. Perhaps she was letting off steam and dancing in the open space. Or maybe she was working in her office to get her mind off their disagreement, which made him feel worse. Determined to make things right, he banged on the door three times.

“Gia? Gia, it’s me, Hart. Open up, sweetie.”

There was silence on the other end. He banged another three times.

“Gia, come on! Open up! It’s Hart.”

He heard the click of the deadbolt and peered through the crack in the door and could see Gia’s face devoid of any makeup. She was dressed in pajamas and had slippers on her feet.

“What do you want, Hart? I’m…I’m working.”

Something wasn’t right. He could feel it. He pushed on the door and let himself in, looking around the room to make sure they were alone.

“There’s no one here if that’s what you’re wondering,” she said, her voice laced with irritation.

He closed the door and locked it before looking at her with wide eyes. “Why are you dressed like that?”

Her blue eyes were big, and he couldn’t help but think she looked nervous. “I told you. I’m working. I got comfortable.”

“Bullshit,” he said tersely, walking past her to the hallway that ran between the kitchen, the bathroom, and her office. He briskly surveyed the rooms in confusion. Products including a toothbrush and facial cleaner scattered across the sink in the tiny bathroom, remnants of her red lipstick on a facecloth. After surveying the rooms a second time, he didn’t see the clothes she had been wearing earlier.

“What are you doing?” she asked tentatively, keeping a healthy distance from him.

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