Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“And spoil the surprise?” Courtney drawled under her breath as they released one another, still keeping her voice low. “Actually, I just got here myself and didn’t have a chance to send you a text.”
Elliott stood behind Georgia, and reluctantly, she turned around to address him. “Hello, Elliott,” she said with a cordial smile. “I didn’t realize you’d be joining us this evening.”
He stepped toward her, kissing her cheek before she could stop him, his lips lingering. “Your mother insisted it be a surprise.”
Her mother smiled brightly, as if she’d given Georgia the best gift ever. “When I found out that you told Elliott you were too busy this week to have dinner with him, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to invite him tonight.”
Annoyance shot through her. Of course, the fact that she’d turned down Elliott had gotten back to her parents, and she was beyond upset with her mother’s interference. If they were in a more private setting, Georgia would have pulled her aside and expressed her displeasure, but considering their very public location in a very expensive, elite restaurant where people came to “see and be seen,” she kept her frustration to herself, for now.
They all sat down, with Georgia conveniently seated next to Elliott. For the next hour, while they ate dinner, she pretended to listen to the conversation going on around her, mostly between Elliott and her father as they discussed business. Across the table, her sister made faces at her when no one was watching, and at least Courtney’s dramatic eye rolls, nose scrunches, and brow arching managed to add some kind of levity to the situation.
While they ate a delicious chocolate mousse dessert, Georgia opened the presents from her parents—her favorite perfume gift set and a designer wallet she’d been coveting. Then, Elliott reached below the table and handed her a very iconic robin’s egg blue gift bag with the name Tiffany & Co stamped across the front. Reluctantly, and very aware that all eyes were on her, she accepted the gift.
“Happy birthday, Georgia,” Elliott said, looking pleased with himself. “Your mother assured me that Tiffany’s is one of your favorite stores.”
She nodded mutely, not sure what to say as she caught her sister’s big, wide eyes from across the table that conveyed a “holy shit” message, which Georgia would have found comical if she hadn’t been so panicked about what was inside.
She pulled out the small, flat square box, removed the ribbon, and lifted the lid, relieved to find a bracelet and not something more personal, like a ring. The bangle was simple and dainty, exactly something she’d wear, and she had to admit that Elliott had great taste when it came to jewelry.
Normally, she’d be thrilled to receive such a present, but coming from Elliott, it felt…wrong. There was no way she could keep the gift, because she was sure there were certain expectations attached, and she didn’t want to give Elliott the impression that it meant anything in terms of the two of them being together in any way. The last thing she’d ever want was to mislead him into believing she was attracted to him. Even a little bit.
She murmured a quiet “thank you” while her mother gushed over the bracelet, her father slapped Elliott on the back in a “good job” gesture, and Courtney cringed in commiseration.
Georgia’s stomach churned with anxiety. She couldn’t keep doing this. Pretending that this situation with Elliott was okay. Being blindsided by her mother’s meddling. Allowing Elliott to think he stood any kind of chance with her. Not because Georgia was only interested in Drew, but she and Elliott had nothing in common beyond him working for her father’s firm, and never would. That she knew with certainty.
It didn’t matter that her parents were hoping for “more”, that having Elliott marry Georgia would ensure that her father’s firm remained in the family. That wasn’t her burden to carry.
Once her father paid the bill and it was time to go, Georgia lightly touched Elliott’s arm to get his attention. “Do you think you and I can go to the bar, just the two of us?”
Judging by the excitement that lit Elliott’s eyes, she belatedly realized that invitation sounded way more intimate than she meant it to. “Yes, of course,” he said, much too eagerly.
She and Elliott parted ways with Courtney and her parents, her mother beaming over the fact that Georgia was spending what she believed was quality time with Elliott.
She allowed Elliott to escort her to the lounge, and she directed him to a table off to the side, where it was more secluded and quieter than the main bar area.
Before the bar waitress could come over and take an order for a drink that Georgia didn’t want, she got right to the point of meeting with Elliott privately. “As much as I appreciate you thinking of me on my birthday, I can’t accept your gift,” she said, setting the blue bag on the table between them. “It’s too much.”