Page 32 of Georgia On My Mind (Southern Promises)

Chapter Seventeen

They sat next to each other at the tiny kitchen table in the studio breakroom. Hart watched as she stirred sugar into hot tea, the rims of her beautiful eyes tinged with red.

“You’ve been living here for how long?” he asked tenderly.

“Several months,” she replied in a whisper.

He had somehow managed to get her to calm down and agree to tell him everything.

“Where do you bathe, Gia? There isn’t a bathtub or a shower in this space.”

She wrapped her hands around the chipped mug and sighed. “There’s a drain in the bathroom. I usually just stand over it and use a sponge from the sink. It’s not that bad.”

It was worse than he thought.

“You don’t even have a stove or an oven, just that tiny refrigerator and microwave. How do you cook for yourself?”

“I eat at the diner almost every day. Half the time Angel doesn’t charge me because I really don’t eat that much. And you’d be surprised what you can make in the microwave.” The look on her face pleaded with him. “Please, Hart. Don’t get all worked up. You’re the only one who knows about this, and I’d like to keep it that way. It’s too embarrassing.”

Hart closed his eyes with shame, knowing she had been going through this all alone. He should have done something sooner—if he had known the truth. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why have you been keeping this a secret from all your friends and me?”

Her eyes were downcast as if she struggled to find an answer. “I don’t know. I guess I thought it would only be for a week or two. And then the weeks turned into months, and it just became my new normal. I’m used to being on my own, Hart. It’s no big deal.”

He reached toward her, pushing her dark hair behind her ear. The way she looked back at him made his heart leap in his chest. “Do you have any idea how dangerous this area is?” he asked quietly, cupping her cheek. “You’ve been coming here late after working all those damn entertainment jobs. What if some homeless guy from the park followed you or someone tried to carjack you in the parking lot? You know Atlanta is a huge hub for human trafficking. What if you were taken against your will by some predator? It’s not safe here, Gia. You’ve got to know that. You’ve got to know the truth that your business has no future here either.”

He struggled to get the words out, but she needed to know. Everyone he had talked to in the real estate market told him he was crazy to think he could get a buyer on board to revamp the area into something more desirable. The research was dismal. It was one of the highest crime-ridden areas in the state of Georgia. No one would come near this property with a ten-foot pole.

“I know.” Her body language deflated. “I’ve just been putting off the inevitable. But don’t forget, I grew up around here. People know me. They knew my Aunt Caroline. I like to think they’ve been looking out for me all these years.”

“I’m sure your friends look out for you. I don’t doubt that for a second. But you’re a beautiful woman coming back here in the dead of night. It’s not safe.” He shook his head in disbelief. They really were from opposite sides of the tracks. He could never, ever relate to her situation, having grown up the way he did. But he was determined to help no matter how much she refused.

“I’m not leaving you here. I want you to move in with me, Gia.”

She looked up at him, her mouth gaping. “Live with you? That’s not even your home, Hart. It’s your sister’s condo. What would she have to say about that?”

He smiled, knowing his sister, Katie, would insist. “She won’t take no for an answer.” Pulling her chair toward him, he placed both of his hands on her thighs and squeezed. “I’ve been ready to start looking for my own place anyway. It’s time.” He tilted his head and gazed into her face. “Maybe we could look for a new place…together?”

***

Gia’s neck muscles tightened and her heart pounded. She was overwhelmed but exhilarated by Hart’s offer to move in with him. She told him she’d have to think about it but agreed to stay with him at his sister’s condo—for the time being. It wasn’t like her to give up control over a situation, but in this case, she consented. A large suitcase sat on the passenger side front seat along with several hanging clothes she had thrown on top. Following his car in the night, she was relieved that he knew her truth—relieved that she wouldn’t have to spend another night alone.

By the time they unloaded her things, it was nearly two in the morning—the long, emotional day taking its toll. She looked forlornly at her meager belongings in the foyer and didn’t have the energy to do anything more. Hart, on the other hand, seemed energized, bouncing around the condo with excitement, obviously happy she was there.

“Come here,” he said with a broad smile on his face.

Shuffling her feet, she approached him. He laced his fingers through her hair and kissed her long and hard, a faint flicker of want spread through her body. Smoothing her bangs to the side, he gazed into her eyes. “Welcome to your new home.”

Staring into his deep brown eyes, she couldn’t help the relieved smile that blossomed across her face before laying her head sleepily on his chest. The feeling of peace that followed as his strong hands massaged the back of her neck and shoulders eased the tension in her body as her eyes fluttered closed in exhaustion.

“What time is your first class tomorrow?” he asked, hugging her tighter, his protective warmth penetrating her body as she snuggled against him.

“Three,” she mumbled into his shirt.

“Good, you can sleep in. I’ll be up early. I’ve got a meeting first thing, but I won’t wake you. I want you to make yourself at home. Rearrange the closet and drawers and unpack your suitcase. If you have any boxes you want to start bringing over, we can store them in the walk-in closet. We’ll figure it out.”

“Mmhummm…” The steady rhythm of his heart beating was lulling her to sleep.

“Come on. Let’s go to bed.”

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