Page 33 of Georgia On My Mind (Southern Promises)

When Gia woke the next morning, Hart was already gone. She slowly sat up and stretched, feeling better than she had in months thanks to a good night’s sleep in a real bed. She looked around the spotless room filled with morning light and sighed. Her life had taken a definite turn. Meeting Hartford Parker was probably the best thing that ever happened to her. The years of being alone and making tough decisions on her own had finally taken a toll—and she was tired. For him to take the reins and take her off the path of loneliness and isolation was a gift from the heavens. But his offer to move in together was huge. It was a life-changing decision that most couples made when they were in love.

Love.

Did she love him? Did he love her? They had never said those words out loud to each other. Never even close. But his actions were affectionate and sincere. He had once told her he adored her while they were making love, but nothing close to the L-word. She needed to sit him down and have a heart to Hart to discuss what their future entailed. Sifting through her suitcase, she grabbed some clothing and her toiletry bag before heading into the bathroom to get ready for the day.

An hour later, she was standing in the office of the pawn shop begging for more time.

“Please, I need another month to come up with the money. After I close the studio, I won’t have to make any more lease payments, which will free up a lot of cash. Please.”

The shop owner calmly shook his head as he eyed her. “We had an agreement Ms. Bates, and I’ve already extended it twice. I have a qualified buyer, and I’m ready to sell.”

Gia’s heart fell, and she closed her eyes.

“I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you until the end of business on Monday. That’s the best I can do. Maybe you can find a friend or someone to loan you the money over the weekend.”

She quickly looked up at the owner and grinned. “Thank you! Thank you so much!” Before he changed his mind, she was out the door with newfound determination. “I’ll be back on Monday for sure,” she yelled over her shoulder.

When she got to her car, her euphoria began to flail. How in the hell was she going to come up with two-thousand dollars by Monday? Donna was moving to Savannah over the weekend, and she owed her one last paycheck before she left. Ed Smith would be coming by any day as well because it was the first of the month and she owed him rent. Could she be bold enough to ask Hart for the money after everything he had already done for her? The very thought made her sick to her stomach. Old habits die hard and her independent attitude forged ahead, a tiny idea she had tucked away in her brain resurfacing.

“Franko Bartelli,” she whispered. She knew what she had to do.

***

“The lease abstract is due next week before bids can go out to the contractors,” Stephen Kaufman dictated across the large conference table. “Make sure the original lease is executed beforehand.”

“Right.” Hart scribbled notes on a large pad in front of him, thankful that his first big deal with the new firm was about to be signed. It hadn’t taken him very long to negotiate a lucrative contract, a testament to his knowledge and abilities in the real estate business.

“So, any plans for the weekend?” When Hart looked up, Stephen was grinning from ear to ear as he leaned back in the leather chair. He knew that mischievous look by now.

“Uh, well. My girlfriend and I are probably gonna look at some property. We’re moving in together.”

“Good for you, lucky bastard!” Stephen congratulated him. He leaned forward with his hands clasped together. “While you and your girl are out and about real estate shopping, do you mind doing me a favor?”

Hart was afraid to ask. “What kind of favor?”

“I need you to cover for me in case Jessica calls looking for me, not that she will. I’d feel better leaving her with an emergency contact.”

“Cover for what?”

Stephen looked at the closed door before continuing. “I’m taking Traci to my mountain house this weekend—you know, for a little fun.” He winked wickedly and licked his lips, making Hart’s skin crawl.

“I don’t know…”

“Oh, come on! You get it, don’t you? You, of all people.” He swiveled in his chair and looked at him with narrowed eyes. “Traci is hot, and I need to get away for the weekend; away from the screaming children and my trashed house. The girls are driving me crazy at home. I can’t think straight, and Jessica has unrealistic expectations when I’m around. I need this getaway, Hart.”

“But isn’t Jessica your wife, Mr. Kaufman?” Hart interrupted, calling his boss by his formal name.

Stephen shook his head. “I thought you were a team player Mr. Parker. Perhaps I was mistaken.”

With a heavy sigh and hooded eyes, Hart felt his past guilt rear its ugly head and relented. “I am, Stephen. What exactly do you want me to do?”

Chapter Eighteen

Steam rose from the pasta and sauce covering Hart’s plate. Gia watched him shyly, as if anticipating his reaction to when he took his first bite. Twirling the fork around the noodles loaded with chicken and alfredo sauce, he opened his mouth wide and savored the dish. There was just the right amount of butter and cream, the rich parmesan cheese almost sweet on his tongue.

“Oh. My. God,” he said with his mouth full.

“You like it?” She waited on pins and needles for his response.

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