Page 85 of Gloves Off

I’m scrambling for something,anything,that means I haven’t been treating her like shit for two years for no reason.

Yesterday, I caught a glance of her at the arena, wearing high, black velvet heels with little ankle straps. Her ankles looked so delicate, like I could wrap my hands around them, and the buckles were so tiny, I doubt I could even undo them.

I don’t know why I’m thinking about taking her shoes off.

“Yes, I love beautiful things. I love that clothes make me feel amazing, and I love quality fabrics and pretty, pretty shoes, but I don’t spend nearly as much money as you think I do.” Her eyessear me, defiant and annoyed. “Besides, what’s wrong with spending money on myself? I work hard. I paid for school myself. So what if I want to buy myself things once in a while.”

“You didn’t pay for school yourself.” She couldn’t have.

Full scholarship,Dr. Joshi said at the benefit, about Georgia playing soccer in university. I’ve been so distracted, thinking about fucking her hard in the library, that I forgot.

“Why do you think I drive such a crappy car? I just finished paying off loans. I’m not about to jump back into debt.” At whatever my expression is, she smirks. “What’s the matter,Alexei?” She puts extra emphasis on my name, even though we’re speaking so quietly, we won’t be overheard. Her pink tongue flashes as she says thel. “Doesn’t match up with the spoiled rich-girl princess image you had in your mind?”

“You didn’t correct me.”

“Maybe you don’t know everything about me,” she adds, looking away, and there’s an ache in my chest.

In an instant, I hate myself.

I thought she was spoiled, selfish, and privileged, but she’s dedicated to her career, hard-working, and well-liked by her colleagues.

I thought she had everything growing up, but she may have had even less than I did.

I thought her parents would be conceited, insufferable snobs, but they’re warm, down to earth, and welcoming.

I thought I hated Dr. Georgia Greene, but I think I may have been very, very wrong.

CHAPTER 41

ALEXEI

“Tellus how you two got together,” Cece urges later.

Georgia and I exchange a look.

After Cece insisted on leading us through the haunted house in the backyard that she and Shane created, we’re inside again, in the living room with Cece, Shane, and a small group of their family friends. Every so often, the doorbell rings with a trick-or-treater and Shane gets up to answer it.

“I didn’t ask her out for a long time because I thought she had a boyfriend,” I say, holding her gaze.

Her eyes narrow.

“Actually,” I tell Cece, “I thought she had two boyfriends.”

Georgia looks away but her mouth slides to the side in a half smile.

“Two boyfriends?” Cece asks, laughing. “Georgia?”

Georgia gives her a wry look. “He heard me talking about Stefan and Damon. My rabbits,” she explains for everyone else, and they laugh. “He was so jealous.”

“I was a little jealous,” I admit.

Georgia gives me a look of amused disbelief, and I know she’s also thinking about me sayingno fucking other guys. “Veryjealous.”

“Okay. Yes.” I rub the back of my neck. “Very jealous.”

Everyone’s chuckling and smiling. We’re selling this like pros.

“I always thought you two didn’t get along.” Cece exchanges a smile with Shane. “She spoke about you like she hated you.”

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