“Like I said, she’s not like the girls I typically go for,” I said with a firmnod.
“What concerns me more than the fact that you think you can deflect with me, is that you think you’re good atit.”
“You’re full of constructive criticism today, aren’t you? What do they serve you at thatsynagogue?”
She shut off the faucet and leaned her hip against the counter to face me. “Walk me through it. What popped into your head when you first sawher?”
How my hands would feel in her silky auburn hair. That wasbeforeI’d caught her post-thunderstorm scent. Then, of course, the way she’d shivered when I’d barely touched her leg. All that’d been enough to make me forget I was on the phone with Justin. But if I was honest, now I was most captivated by the fact that I’d have her pegged one moment and then doubting everything I knew about her thenext.
Happy hour, for instance. Georgina, a pick-up artist? She’d been convincing. And quick. Andcreative.
From chumptohump-dot-com. . .
Far from where Georgina could bust me for it, I smiled. It’d been a good prank. She’d pulled it off seamlessly, then had looked so vulnerable at the bar when she’d thought I’d win the bet anyway. Just when I thought I knew her, a softer, shyer side of her personality surfaced. The side I’d seen those first few moments at thecafé.
“Okay, scratch that question,” Libby said, turning her back to put away drinking glasses. “The way you’re smiling, clearly your first thought was notPG.”
I sighed. “She’sattractive.”
“Mom didn’t mean for you to find someone quiet and meek, Sebastián.” She dumped the remainder of Aaron’s Bloody Mary into the sink and submerged the glass. “If this Georgina has a little spice and can put you in your place, that’s not the same as being rude andvapid.”
Spice. That was one way of describing Georgina. Cinnamon, spice, and everything nice. One of the most irritating things about her was the smattering of goddamn freckles across her nose and cheeks. They were cute and innocent when she was anything but, and it made me angry. At her for having them, and at myself for wanting to know where else they peppered herbody.
“Maybe she’s been trying to impress you,” Libby said. “Have you considered she might be interested inyou?”
“She’s not. In fact, she’s apparently going on a date,” I said. “A Yankees game with some finance bro.” With a look from Libby, I added, “And no, I didn’t say it that way because I’mjealous.”
“Sure. Sounds completelyplatonic.”
I’d never admit it to Libs, but there was a chance I was alittlejealous. Watching Georgina exchange numbers with the wannabe vampire had annoyed me, and it’d had nothing to do with our bet. The bet had been bullshit anyway. What Georgina hadn’t known, and what Justin had suspected, was that I’d thrown the game. I’d actually caught up with Isabella outside the bar, and within minutes, had her hanging on my tie, asking me to walk her to her subway stop. In New York, that was an intimate thing after a date and could end with a kiss. All I’d been able to think about was Georgina back in the bar, mostly how nervous she’d looked about losing in front of everyone. So, I’d straightened my tie, put Isabella in a cab, and lied about calling herlater.
The worst part wasn’t even that it was my own fault Georgina had gotten the date in the first place. What really annoyed me was that I cared, and it was partly why I’d been steering clear of her since happy hour. Maybe I couldn’t help being attracted to Georgina’s hot and cold personality, but acting on it wasn’t an option. Not only was she the first person to threaten my career in a long time, but I’d vowed to remove any ice from my life. It was only warm, nice girls from here onout.
“I haven’t seen you this worked up in a while,” Libby said in her maddening know-it-all tone. “Don’t rule her outyet.”
“I don’t see the logic in that,” I said, hoping to annoy her back. “If Georgina was interested in me, she wouldn’t be going out with anotherguy.”
That made Libby laugh with a little too much enthusiasm. “Oh, Sebastian. If you’re treating her like she’s got the plague, whywouldn’tshe go out with someone else? It’s her onlyoption.”
I ran the dishtowel through my hands. “How do youfigure?”
“Either she’s not interested in you and randomly accepted a date from a nice guy, or sheisinterested in you and wants you to notice. You better hope that date doesn’t go well, or it’ll mean you blew yourshot.”
I’d come to Newton that weekend certain Georgina hated me. Now I’d gone and missed my shot with her? Did I evenwantashot?
Libby focused on cleaning the skillet she’d used to make the chilaquiles. “I was thinking . . .” She hesitated. “You want to take adrive?”
I rubbed the bridge of my nose, knowing full well where this conversation was headed. “No.”
“The lawyer has beencalling.”
“My position hasn’t changed,” I said. “We’re not selling Mom’s house. We don’tneedto. I’m taking care of themortgage.”
“It’s not about the money, Sebastian—if it was, we’d fix it up and rent it. We don’t need to keep it just to know where we camefrom.”
“It’s where we grew up. You’re the one talking about staying true to ourroots.”
“There’s a difference between honoring your heritage and living in the past. Without Mom in it, it’s just a rundown pile ofbricks.”
