That small truth hit Georgia like a heat wave in the summer, smacking her full body and pressing into her oppressively. She hadn’t ever asked. “You’re right. I didn’t… You were really amazing in there. And, I’m… I’m so sincerely sorry that I assumed…”
Lake took a step and put his hand in the air, stopping her. “You assumed, because I deserved it.” Georgia started to shake her head, wanting to get her full apology out and then to climb on that bus and leave her mixed up feelings for Lake Lovett behind in this parking lot. Apparently, he had other plans.
“No, Georgia, I know I’ve done things in the past to make you assume the worst of me. But I want you to know Ihavechanged. God’s really flipped my life upside down, and I don’t expect anything… anything from you but friendship. I want to be your friend.”
She nodded, hiding a smile and suppressing the flutter in her chest. Lake wanted to be friends. Only friends. “With light verbal sparring, though, right?” she asked, lightening the mood.
“Of course.”
“You called me Georgia…”
“ItISyour name.”
“It is.” She nodded again just as a catcall sounded from the bus across the parking lot, and in one accord, the youth began singing Mariah Carey’sAll I want for Christmasout the windows and pointed in their direction.
They took simultaneous steps away from each other. Lake opened his truck door with a final wink at Georgia. “See ya soon.”
When she’d finally ensured all the youth had been picked up by their parents and that Good Start had been running smoothly in her absence and closed appropriately, Georgia thought only of falling into her bed for a long, much needed rest. As she climbed the small stairway from the kitchen to her loft, she found a gift of warm tomato soup, a grilled cheese sandwich, and fresh baked cookies from her favorite cafe waiting at her doorstep.
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS
MARIAH CAREY
THEN
Thirty-eight sponsors…thirty-eight! She didn’t know how he’d done it. Almost double what they’d received in the past. Yet Lake had somehow managed to not only secure sizable donations from local shop owners, small businesses, and churches in the area, but he’d also convinced them to pledge donations for the next three years. Lake had ensured that foster families in their community would continue to be served, regardless of whether Georgia was there or not to see it through.
When Lake picked her up Friday evening for theirnot date, he handed her a small bouquet of flowers in a mason jar with his trademark grin and a list of all the businesses he’d made contact with since their meeting. She’d thrown herself into his arms with excitement when he presented her with the list.
“I can’t believe you did this!”
He pulled her close, lifting her off the ground. “It was no big deal, Peaches. I should have been more helpful to you at the meetings, so I thought I’d make it up to you. You are, after all, the reigning gummy bear catching queen.”
He set her down, and she stepped back, biting her lip and playing with the curls that spilled over her shoulders. “Thank you. This is amazing. Really.”
He nodded, almost bashfully, and tugged on one of her curls. “Come on. We’ve got work to do.”
They spent the entire evening in his beat up truck, driving from one location to the next signing paperwork for pledged donations. On that warm November evening, with the windows rolled down and the radio turned up, Georgia and Lake drove through Sugartree singing like no one could hear them and laughing like they’d been friends forever.
Georgia was surprised by Lake’s open flirtations. He’d teased playfully, called her Peaches more than necessary, and found reasons to touch her curls. She’d had more fun with him than she wanted to admit to herself, and after they’d left the final business on main street—a cafe Georgia loved—Lake put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
“Alright, Peaches. You’ve worked hard enough, I think.” He gifted her with his genuine smile, not the one she’d seen him cast on hopeful girls from school. “Let’s get you some ice cream.”
Georgia could barely manage a nod with the butterflies taking flight in her belly. She put her arm around Lake’s waist, his soft cotton t-shirt and defined muscles underneath like a magnet for her hand. She let him lead her down the busy sidewalk, fully content with his arm tucking them close and kind of hoping it’d leave a permanent engraving of his cologne on her.
Georgia rolled her eyes when Lake ordered vanilla bean and peach ice cream for them to share but barely contained her laughter when he turned around with the treats in hand and bowed as he handed her a spoon.
And then he aimed his entire focus at Georgia. He asked what she wanted after school—a marketing degree, what her grades were like—impeccable, her favorite sibling—Dakota on that particular night, her favorite movie—Romeo and Juliet, Leo and Claire’s version, of course, and a host of other questions just meant to know her better. With each and every one, his intention, clear—Lakedidwant to know her. His knees knocked against hers playfully under the small table where they ate, and Lake’s blue eyes rarely left Georgia’s.
It was the best night of her teenage existence. No one had ever taken the time to get to know Georgia so fully, too afraid to get attached to the kid who moved regularly. But she wasn’t that kid anymore.
Yes, she’d be off to college after that summer, but she began to dream of all the possibilities to come. Georgia’s heart filled up like a big red balloon that threatened to drift off into the night with happiness.
“What are you doing after graduation?” she asked, not wanting to dominate the night by talking about herself.
Lake shifted in his seat, studying his ice cream intently. “Um…” he said, without looking back up. “I’m not sure. I just wanna get out of Sugartree.”
“Oh… but you don’t have plans? College? Or, maybe, a job lined up?”
