“I…” My tongue is dry as I search for the words. “You bought me a restaurant?”
He nods, jaw ticking as his eyes study my face. “I know you’ve always talked about wanting your own place, and…” He runs his fingers through his hair, his nerves suddenly on full display. “I know your dad was an asshole about your dreams, so I figured maybe this would be a way to tell him to fuck off. Or at least to let you show him what you’re actually capable of. I want you to have what you want, Georgie. All of it.”
My vision starts to blur, but not from tears. In fact, the only reason I’d cry right now is from pure freaking frustration.
I drop the papers down to my lap. “You didn’t even ask what I wanted,” I grit out. My voice comes out quiet, but the hurt in it surprises even me. “You justdecided.”
Brody looks stunned, like I just slapped him.
“I’m sorry,” he says, after a long pause. “I thought you’d be happy.”
I stand up, suddenly needing more space than this entire freaking yacht has to offer. “You sound just likemy dad. You think you know what’s best for me, so you just do it, and I’m supposed to be grateful. But I’m not a fucking puzzle to be solved. I wanted to be a partner, not a charity case. I don’t want to be some spoiled sugar baby, and that’s exactly how this makes me feel.”
The silence is suffocating between us. Brody sits, perfectly still, eyes on the floor.
I can’t believe he’s just as freaking controlling as my dad.My head throbs, and I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying not to lose it right there. I want toearnmy success, not just be handed it.
The door suddenly creaks, and Emmett peeks in. “Everything cool in here?”
I shake my head, unable to speak.
Miles steps in behind him, his body language radiating concern.
“I’m going topside,” I say, and push past them. I half expect someone to follow, but no one does. They’re all too stunned, or maybe they know me well enough now to leave me alone when I’m pissed.
I race up to the deck and lean over the rail, breathing deep lungfuls of humid air. The fort, the old rooftops, the ancient city—they all blur together, nothing more than a watercolor smudge. I can’t decide if I want to scream or cry or just jump into the water and swim for shore.
I don’t want it to be like this. I don’t want to be treated like a child.
After a few minutes, I hear Brody’s footsteps behind me. I don’t turn, but I can sense him at my back.
“I thought I was helping,” he says, voice rough. “I didn’t see it as controlling you. I saw it as giving you something you wanted. I thought it would be a really thoughtful gift. It was to show you that I believe in you and your dreams.”
I close my eyes, the tears finally making their way to the surface. “That’s not what I wanted,” I say, finally turning to face him. “I wanted someone to listen. Not to fix me or give me a trophy so I could prove my dad wrong. I wanted to do it the hard way. Therightway. I don’t want a man who just manages my life!”
Brody’s hands curl into fists at his sides, but his voice remains steady. “I’m sorry.”
I sigh, letting my anger drain out in one long breath. “I know you were trying to be kind. But you can’t make decisions forme.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “It’s not that it wasn’t thoughtful… I just…”
He nods, understanding on his face. “You just don’t want someone to make you feel like you’re incapable of doing it on your own. I get it. I let the romanticism of it get in the way.”
I hold his gaze, hating how I feel like a total brat now. “Maybe I’m overreacting.”
“No,” he smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You have a right to say no. I’ll call the broker tomorrow and tell them we’re out.” He pauses, searching my face. “Unless you actually want to do this. And if you do, I’ll help, but only if you want me to.” He holds up the papers again. “I can throw them right out into the water—oryoucan.”
I let my fingers brush the papers, but I don’t take them. “Actually… I want to talk about it,” I say. “I want to decide, with you. With all of you. Together.”
Brody exhales, taking a step toward me. “Then that’s what we’ll do, but first there’s something else we should probably do.”
I raise my brows, tilting my head as I catch a whiff of his cologne. “Yeah? And what’s that, exactly?”
He leans down, brushing his nose against mine. “Makeup sex.”
Chapter 21
Brody
“Oh, really?” Georgia murmurs.
