Page 33 of One Sweet Summer

“Sounds great, what time?”

“Around seven?”

“We’ll bring wine.”

“Perfect, everybody will be there. We’ll see you later.”

We hang up and I drag a hand through my hair. Everybody will be there. I’m so used to living away from my family that I’ve forgotten how many of them there are. Hunter hasn’t phoned to take Georgiana on a date yet, but there’s Derek. He’ll be there tonight and between the two of them, one can take Georgiana out for dinner. I’ll babysit Hannah any time.

I finish getting dressed and walk back to the barn to find Georgiana where I left her at her desk. She glances up as soon as I walk in.

“A dinner invitation, we have. Tonight. At Aunt May and Uncle Bill’s.”

“We do?”

“Yes, with BB testing for Hunter.”

“BB testing?”

“Best batch. We get to taste different batches of the same ice cream with small variations, and then vote on the best.”

“Oh no. I couldn’t possibly intrude on your family time.”

I stare at her. “It’s fun. Trust me.”

“Raiden—”

“Aunt May wants you there. I promised her we’d bring wine.”

“I honestly don’t feel up to it.”

“Which part don’t you feel up to?”

Georgiana doesn’t answer immediately but closes her eyes with a sigh. I walk up to her and stop at the desk, waiting for her to tell me.

“We still haven’t gone through the drawings—” She shakes her head and looks at me. “Please.”

Those eyes. She’s been crying. Again. I shouldn’t have left her.

“We’re ahead of s-schedule and we need a b-break.” Dang it. I take a deep breath.

“Still.” She shifts in her chair and stares at her hands where she’s picking at a hangnail.

You want me to leave you alone tonight so you can cry to your heart’s content. I can’t do it.

“Something, you’re not telling me. Something, that’s upsetting you. I know it isn’t me or this project. Come tonight. Have fun. Forget about whatever it is for one night.” I bite down on my jaw and press my fist to my mouth for a second. “I can’t l-listen to you c-cry anymore, Georgiana.”

Her name slips off my tongue with such ease that it surprises me. And it sounded so beautiful, more beautiful than when I say it in my head. But did I say all of that? The look on her face… I take a deep breath and step in the direction of the trailer with a raised hand. “Sorry. Not my place.”

“Those walls are thin, aren’t they?”

“Paper thin.”

She closes her laptop screen and stands. “I’ll go get wine. Anything else?”

I’ve pushed her too far, so far that she needs to escape. We never take a proper lunch hour and she’s entitled to one if she wants it. I have no choice but to let her go.

“No. You’re good to drive?” She’s upset and shouldn’t be driving. At the thought, my heart pumps faster. “Stay. Later, I can go.”