Page 53 of Letters of Faith
“Too bad, Peach,” I tease, tugging on her hand. “Now spill.”
She tugs her lip between her teeth, worrying it, then says, “It’s just—this last year is the first time I haven’t seen you with a rotation of women on your arm, and I get it, Gray. You were a single man, and look at you—my goodness, look at you. Women can’t help but throw themselves at you, but I’m not made for casual. I know what you said in your kitchen that day, but you’ve never had a serious relationship. What if you get bored? I don’t want to lose you, too—and I just assumed this is a relationship. I’m going to go die of embarrassment now.”
Her words spill out without a breath in between, and when she’s finished, she slings herself back against the couch and covers her eyes with the crook of her elbow.
Pressing my lips together, I try not to laugh because if there’s one thing that Georgia is not, it’s dramatic, so for her to be now says a lot.
“Where is this coming from?”
She lifts her arm just barely enough to show one eye and glares. “I think you know,” she says, glancing at the bar and then back at me.
I do know, but I’m selfish. I want to hear her say it.
“I don’t,” I prod, feigning ignorance.
“Fine, Gray—then I’ll tell you. Women do everything they can to get your attention when you are in public, and that makes me—I don’t know, ragey. I’ve never been ragey before—why do I feel that way?”
This time, I can’t hold it back. My laugh slips out, and I reach over, pulling Georgia into my lap so I can hug her. She lays her head on me, and it fits perfectly between my shoulder and chin.
“I think the word you are looking for, sweetheart, is jealous. And make no mistake—this is a relationship. I won’t get bored of you, Georgia, because I meant what I said. I’ve loved you most of my life, but Nate was my best friend. He was what you deserved. But since he’s gone, I promise to try to be a better man for you.”
I mean that promise with every fiber of who I am. I will be a better man for this woman in my arms because she deserves a man who can love her purely, without reservation.
“Gray,” she says, lifting her head to look at me. “You are a good man. You don’t have to try. The last year is proof of that. I trust the things you are telling me—but those women still make me a little ragey.”
“Okay, fighter,” I say with a chuckle. “Let’s get you over to your favorite author before you get us in trouble with all that rage.”
I stand, lifting her with me and placing her on her feet. There’s a smile on my face that not even my father could wipe off because this woman in front of me is incredible, and for the first time in my life, I don’t feel broken.
Chapter 22
Georgia
Georgia:You busy?
It’s Sunday—the day after our date. According to every romance novel I’ve ever read, I should wait two to three business days for Grayson to text me first, but our relationship is far from the norm. It’s messy and chaotic, but it’s not silent. I refuse to sit around and wonder if he will text or call—which, judging by his admission last night, he will—but the thing is, I can, too. I shouldn’t just place the success of this relationship on his shoulders.
Grayson:Never too busy for you. What’s up?
Georgia:I ran out of books to read and need groceries. Want to go to town with me?
The read receipt pops up as soon as I send it, and three dots appear within seconds. I kick my feet up and down as I chew on the side of my nail. He read that so fast that it’s evident that he was waiting for my reply. I forgot how it feels to have these nerves of excitement when you first start dating someone. Nate and I had become comfortable with one another, which wasn’t bad, but this is nice, too.
Grayson:Didn’t you just get a new book last night from Ava Carson?
Georgia:I read it this morning. Are you judging my reading habits?
Grayson:Never.
Georgia:You still didn’t answer the question. Is that a no?
Thethree dots dance across my screen again, appearing and then disappearing, and I swear if he doesn’t answer soon, I’m going to march over to his house and kick his butt.
In three…two…a message appears, saving him from my wrath.
Grayson:The answer is always yes to you, Peach.
I smile and squeal like a teenager before texting back my reply.
