Page 32 of You Wish
“Tom is in France with his French mistress.”
“I knew he was a prick,” Jake said.
“Really? You’re going to do the whole ‘I told you so,’ right now when my heart is shattered?” Rachel’s blue eyes sparkledwith humor as she said it, making Georgia wonder just what kind of relationships Rachel had to be amused over a breakup.
“You heart isn’t shattered,” Joy said. “It’s your ego that’s bruised. You never really liked that boy. He was just convenient.”
“Fine. But he was a fun convenience who was dynamite in bed.”
“Can we not?” Jake said, covering his ears.
Rachel ignored this. “But lately he’s been more of an inconvenience and the sex has been so-so.”
“Again. Earmuffs,” Jake said, and Georgia was pretty sure he gagged.
Rachel’s eyes went to Georgia, and they narrowed in the most unwelcoming look in the history of the world. She stuck out her hand. “I’m Rachel. You must be Georgia.”
Okay, so that’s how she wanted to play it. Like she hadn’t been the one to tell Georgia that she was ruining Jake’s life.
She considered voicing all of that but didn’t want to ruin the lovely family reunion, so she took the woman’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise,” she said, and then to Jake, “You told me that she was coming, I just didn’t realize she was staying here.”
“Where else would she stay?” Jake asked, a little challenge underscoring his words.
“A hotel. I didn’t imagine it would be my room.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize I was in your room,” Georgia said and suddenly she felt like an outsider—exactly the way Rachel meant for her to feel. The fun of the afternoon, the laughter and baking, no longer felt special. “I can pack and find a hotel.”
“Nonsense,” Joy said. “You are our guest, and you will stay right where you are. Rachel can take the guest-room. Isn’t that right, Rachel Anne?”
“Yes, Meemaw.” Then to Georgia, “Sorry about that. It’s just been so long since I’ve been home. Forgive me and my bad manners.”
Rachel sounded genuinely sorry, so Georgia said, “No biggie. And if you want to swap rooms, I am totally fine with it.”
“Nonsense.”
Dinner had endedon a weird note. Rachel had been less than welcoming to Georgia and it wasn’t acceptable. So, while Georgia helped Joy do the dishes, he took the time to talk to his sister while getting her luggage.
“Why are you really here?” Jake asked when they reached the car.
“I’m here because I didn’t want to be on the same continent as Tom.”
“So you’re not here to spy on me and Georgia?”
“Maybe a little. But I’m also here to make sure you don’t agree to any other ludicrous terms without my approval.”
“She removed the exclusivity clause. So, what’s the problem?”
“She didn’t remove it,” Rachel snapped. “She shortened it to six months.”
“Which is understandable. What’s the point of having a face for the cause if that face is all over another foundation’s website and socials?”
“You had previous agreements.”
“Which I didn’t cancel. I just postponed and the foundation understood the situation and were happy to oblige. You’re the only one with the problem,” Jake said.
Rachel let out a breath and all the bluster she’d been storing up. “I just worry. As your manager and, more importantly, your sister. That’s my job.”
