Page 35 of Georgia On My Mind (Southern Promises)

After their little dessert session in the dining room, Hart took her to bed, and they made slow, sweet love for hours. The euphoria she felt through connecting with him on such an intimate level was overwhelming. There was a split second when she thought he was about to say those desirable words, causing her pulse to race faster than Ethan tap dancing at top speed. But he didn’t say them. He told her he “loved making love to her.” Not wanting to show her disappointment, she concentrated on the best lovemaking she had ever experienced, but it was very hard. For some reason, she was becoming desperate to hear him say it. She needed to know once and for all if Hartford Parker was in love with her. In her mind, if he said those words, she wouldn’t go through with her weekend plan. She would trust him fully and finally divulge her secret about the ring asking him for the money. Asking him would finally relieve her of the armor she had built up around her heart.

Sitting in the dark family room and wrapped in a silk robe, she fingered a small glass of cognac while waffling over her decision. If Hart ever found out what she was about to do, he’d never forgive her, and she’d surely lose him forever. He had boldly told her he didn’t want her working for the entertainment company anymore. And here she was contemplating working at Franko’s strip club. The ghost of her mother was taunting her, and she was struggling. This was a two-show fix, not a career choice like it was for her mom. She was nothing like that woman—or was she? A handsome and successful guy like Hart couldn’t be linked to a stripper. He was from an upper-class family and was thriving in his lucrative career. What would his family and co-workers say if this ever got out? Would it be the old “like-mother-like daughter” mentality?

She had already fibbed by telling him she was helping out her friend Ethan with a show over the weekend. It wasn’t a total lie because Ethan had suggested she think about reviving her dance career. If she could just get through the weekend and get her Aunt Caroline’s ring back in her possession, she promised herself she’d never lie to him again and never, ever set foot in Franko’s club. What he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him, and she planned to keep it that way.

Franko Bartelli was chomping at the bit to get her on his stage. His offer still stood, and he promised to pay her up front before one inch of her body was exposed to the masses. She decided to play an iconic character on stage, much like her Marilyn and Madonna gigs. At least when she was acting, she could keep her emotions in check. The thought of being naked and on display in a room full of strangers made her nauseous, and she still wasn’t sure how she was going to go through with it. The worst part was knowing she’d be following in her own mother’s footsteps, succumbing to the sordid lifestyle for the quick money. For years, Ruby Bates danced in the dark confines of the popular clubs, abusing drugs and her body for financial gain. After Gia was born illegitimately, Ruby tried to quit the business and change her ways. But old habits die hard. Gia remembered strange men often coming to their home—her mother’s “friends” as she called them. The loud music, laughter, and moaning behind the closed bedroom door became the soundtrack to her childhood.

“Two nights…” she whispered into the dark. Two nights, and this would be behind her and the memories of her late mother laid to rest. She was ready to move on with Hart and live happily ever after.

The liquor burned going down her throat as she blinked back tears. Shame covered her like a thick fog, making her head throb. She swore she would never be anything like her late mother. Here she was on the precipice of a new and exciting life with the man of her dreams, and she was about to play a game of Russian roulette. Her life had already changed dramatically in the past twenty-four hours. How much more could it change over the weekend if he found out? She’d be homeless for sure. A homeless, destitute stripper. She brought her hand up to her mouth to stifle a sob.

“Sweetie, what is it? What’s going on?”

Hart was suddenly kneeling in front of her in bare feet, wearing nothing but his boxers. His hair was disheveled, and his hands were firmly gripping her thighs. She stiffened and quickly set the glass down on the side table, trying to regain her composure.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I woke up and reached for you. When you weren’t there, I had to find you. Are you okay?”

Sniffling, she gripped his hand. “I’m…fine. I couldn’t sleep. I…I didn’t want to wake you.”

His face appeared shadowed, the moon casting a blue light across his chiseled features. “Why can’t you sleep? What’s on your mind? At dinner, you said you were happy.” He paused. “Why do I get the impression that something happened and now you’re unhappy?” He hoisted himself up and sat beside her.

She sighed heavily. “I am happy, Hart. But to be perfectly honest with you, I guess I’m a little sad too. Not only am I closing the doors on Dance Atlanta, but I’m also closing the doors on a huge chapter of my life. I know I’m sentimental, but my emotional attachment to the place caught me off guard.”

He seemed to relax and put his arm around her, holding her close. “I understand. That place has been a constant in your life since you were very young. Of course, you’re sentimental.”

She nodded in the dark.

“You need to have some sort of celebration before you close the doors. Maybe a ‘going-away’ party for your students? Something to commemorate the time you had there.”

She nodded again. “That could be fun…or extremely depressing.”

Hart chuckled in the darkness. “Concentrate on the great memories you have, not on what you’ve lost, sweet thing. If anything, you’ve gained something in this transition in your life.”

“Really? What would that be?”

“Me.”

A tingling sensation filled her body.

“I hope you know how much I care for you, Gia. You’ve changed my life,” he said softly.

Her heart started to race. Could this be the moment she had been waiting for? “I care about you too, Hart. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

They clung to each other in silence, the anticipation of hearing those words she desperately needed to hear fading into the night. The stillness was a sign to her. A sign she was to move ahead and do the unthinkable to save the only heirloom left from her family. She had lost so much in her life. She wasn’t about to let her aunt’s ring slip through her fingers if there was something she could do about it. Unfortunately, it was something so awful and demeaning, she couldn’t dwell, or she’d be a blubbering idiot for sure.

“I’m tired now,” she muttered.

“Let’s get you back to bed.” They stood, and the two of them walked to the bedroom, holding hands.

Chapter Nineteen

The entire day was a blur. Gia finished her classes, going through the motions as if she were a robot on autopilot. Knowing Hart had already made plans that night made things a little more comfortable. At least he’d be out-of-pocket and preoccupied with his friends while she’d be doing the unthinkable.

“What’ll ya have tonight? Egg salad? We’ve got a baked chicken special going on too if you need some protein.” Her gal-pal, Angel, stood on the other side of the counter with her hand on her hip. The diner was bustling with Friday night regulars as the time approached the dinner hour.

“No, Angel. I’m not hungry. Some black coffee, please.”

Angel scowled. “Black coffee? For dinner? I won’t be havin’ any of that. Let me fix you up with our special.”

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