CHAPTER 109: GIRLFRIEND

Georgia’s POV

The drive to the ocean park took nearly an hour from the hotel, but Katie’s excitement made it feel shorter. Even Ella seemed transformed; she was laughing, wide-eyed, like a child again.

Still... something felt different. Maybe it was my imagination, but Ella and Liam seemed closer.

They kept stealing glances when they thought no one was looking, and when they spoke, it was only to each other—like the rest of us faded into background noise.

Okay, I am officially jealous... or not. Just a bit, maybe. But also happy at the same time.

I had been Ella’s best friend for years, and now here was Liam, quietly claiming her attention. But who was I kidding? If she liked him, and it was written all over her face, I’d support her with all my heart.

I was still watching them from a few steps behind when I felt a warm hand slide into mine. My breath caught as Nick’s fingers laced firmly with mine.

"What’s the deal with those two?" he murmured, his voice brushing against my ear like silk.

"You noticed it too?" Relief bloomed in me... so I wasn’t imagining things.

"Yeah," he said, eyes flicking toward Liam. "He’s not the type to get close to women. Unless... he’s interested."

"Unlike you..." I lowered my voice intentionally, just to see his reaction. And I got it, his startled expression was almost boyish.

"No, God... I’m really sorry about last night." His tone shifted, softer, almost desperate. "I didn’t mean to doze off. I just closed my eyes for five seconds, and when I opened them, the movie was over... and you were asleep. I’m so sorry, Georgia. Please forgive me."

It was probably the fifth or tenth apology I’d heard from him today. I already lost count.

And yet, instead of being annoyed, I felt something else entirely. The guilt in his eyes wasn’t a performance; it wasn’t fake, it was real. He cared if he disappointed me. He cared enough to make sure I knew my feelings mattered.

For the first time in a long while... I felt seen.

In my family, I was loved in the way they understood love. But the company always came first. And when I was with Raymond, it was the same story; his public image and the pristine reputation of their business outweighed whatever I thought or felt.

I learned to accept it. I told myself it was normal... that sacrificing a part of myself was the price for keeping relationships "harmonious."

But with Nick, it’s different. I don’t have to shrink myself to fit into his life. He doesn’t need me to dim my light; he looks at me like my existence alone is enough to make him happy.

I was just about to tease him, to say maybe I was only toying with him, when—

"Hey!"

Vicky practically pounced from behind, hooking her arms over both our shoulders, her grin wicked with mischief.

"What is this I’m seeing?" she sing-songed, eyeing our intertwined hands. "Is this your grand announcement? Are you two official now?"

Nick and I both opened our mouths, but Vicky didn’t give us a chance to speak.

"Liam! Come here and congratulate our brother... he’s finally got himself a girlfriend! A real one this time!" she shouted, her voice carrying like a siren across the park.

My stomach dropped.

Oh. My. God!

Did she really have to broadcast this to the entire planet?

Heads turned. Conversations paused. Even strangers were staring, and I could feel the heat rising from my chest to my cheeks. My face was surely beet red!

"Congratulations, dear," an elderly woman passing by beamed at us. "It’s so nice to be young."

And then it was chaos! People clapping, some cheering, others tossing playful comments our way.

I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole. My fingers tightened instinctively around Nick’s, but my pulse was a frantic drumbeat in my ears.

This was mortifying... but apparently, I was the only one feeling that way.

Because Nick was shameless, brazen, and infuriating!

He was grinning like the devil himself, thanking every single person who congratulated us as if this were our wedding reception.

My God... he was enjoying this.

I tugged at my hand, desperate to free myself, but his grip only tightened. His gaze locked onto mine, a dangerous spark flickering in those stormy eyes.

"Pull it back again," he murmured low enough for only me to hear, "and I’ll kiss you here... with tongue, for everyone to see."

My jaw dropped. What the hell?!

Before I could even process that threat, Liam and Ella appeared, smiling as if they’d just walked into a fairy tale ending.

"Congratulations, Aunt Georgia, Uncle Nick!"

Now that—that was the only greeting I actually wanted to hear.

Nick finally released my hand, only to scoop Katie up effortlessly into his arms.

"Are you happy that I’m your aunt’s boyfriend now?" he asked her with that playful glint in his eyes.

"Yes! Are you going to marry her too?" she asked, her voice pure innocence, blissfully unaware she’d just dropped a bomb between us.

Nick’s gaze swung to me, slow and teasing, his smile filled with something that curled heat low in my stomach.

"I would love to..." he said, holding my eyes for a heartbeat too long before turning back to Katie. "But first, we need to see the dolphins. Let’s go."

And just like that, they took off, leaving me standing there with my pulse doing cartwheels.

Vicky stepped up beside me, her hand warm on my shoulder. "Thank you, Georgia."

"For what?" I asked, still half-distracted by the sight of Nick walking away with Katie in his arms.

"For giving Nick a chance, even knowing the kind of reputation he’s had, even his past. You looked past all that and saw him for who he truly is. Thank you for being the woman who inspires him to do better."

Her words made something inside me twist. Overwhelmed. Shy. Unsteady. Did I really inspire him that way?

I hope she was right.

Because the truth is... It was the same for me, he motivates me to do my best, I want to be better—not for him, not even for myself, but for us.

******

Thank you KATHLEEN_COLL for the Golden Ticket!