“Why would I do that? I had a thesis, which is that you have a heart of gold. Anything not supportive of that thesis isn’t relevant.”
“Notrelevant?”
“This isn’t a biography, Reed. It’s a short little piece forRock ‘n’ Rollabout how unexpectedly wonderful you are—which is something the world doesn’t already know about you. Andthat,my darling, was myactualassignment from CeeCee. To uncover a side of you nobody has seen before.”
I shake my head. “I won’t approve the article unless you make it a more accurate depiction of me. You need to dick me up a bit.”
“No. If I do that, I’ll look like an idiot for falling in love with you.”
I grunt. “Yeah, about that ending...”
Georgie’s face falls in earnest. “You don’t like it? You want me to take it out?”
Oh, my heart. Fuck. “Come here, sweetheart.” I pat my thigh, and Georgina leaves her chair and slides into it. “It’s my favorite part. Thank you. But you can’t leave that part in for the version you send to CeeCee.”
“Why not? It’s the truth.”
“CeeCee will never print that.”
“Well, I guess there’s only one way to find out.” She nuzzles her nose into mine. “Please, let me submit this article, as is. If CeeCee doesn’t like something, she’ll tell me to change it. But this is the article I want to submit. This is my truth.” Before I can reply, she begins laying soft kisses up my jawline to my ear, licking and nipping and kissing as she goes, until I’m rock-hard and feeling incapable of saying no to her. “Say yes,” she purrs. “Let me submit this, as is.”
“It’s propaganda of the worst kind,” I whisper, but I’m smiling. Paradoxically, turning to steel underneath her while melting into a puddle of pliable goo.
Georgina’s lips find mine and skim softly, making me shudder. “I’ve peeled your onion, down to your very core, my love. And what I found there, is what I wrote about.” She places both palms on my cheeks. “Say yes.”
I still can’t believethisis what The Intrepid Reporter came up with, after everything she’s discovered about me. Especially given that she thinks her dream job atDig a Little Deeperis still on the line. Yeah,Iknow CeeCee is planning to offer Georgina a full-time slot, butGeorginadoesn’t know that. And, yet, Georgina is nonetheless willing to submit this puff piece forRock ‘n’ Roll,rather than somethingthat would surely lock down her dream job. “I just don’t want you compromising your professional judgment for me.”
She smirks. “Says the man who’s about to release a single for my stepsister.”
My cheeks flush. “But I’m not compromising anything to do that. Alessandra has all the makings of a quirky little indie star. She just needs some guidance and coaching.”
“And you’re willing to take the time to give Alessandra that ‘guidance and coaching,’personally, because...why?”
I bite back a smile. She’s got me there.
Georgina presses her forehead into mine. “I’ve written this article about you, forRock ‘n’ Roll,because I love you with all my heartandI believe in this article. Which is the same thing as you producing and releasing Alessandra’s song because you love meandbelieve in her. That’s love, Reed. It’s a two-way street.”
Oh, my heart. If anyone is a saint here, it’s Georgina. I press my lips to hers. And as I do, a dam breaks inside me.Girlfriendisn’t enough. Matching tattoos aren’t enough. I want it all, and I can’t deny it a second longer. I want Georgina to take my name and wear my ring. I want us to pledge forever to each other in the most sacred way known to humankind.I want her to be my wife.
I’ve tried my damnedest to avoid reaching this conclusion. I’ve shucked and jived and thrown shiny objects into my own path to divert myself from reaching it. But the truth is, with each new ploy designed to convince myself I’m perfectly satisfied with shacking up, with each new label I use—whether it’s girlfriend, lover, or partner—and each tiny letter we get permanently inscribed onto our bodies, all of it keeps bringing me to the same place. The same inescapable conclusion.It’s not nearly enough.I want Georgina to be my one and only wife. Forever. And I won’t settle for anything less.
“So, can I submit this article, as is?Please?”
I look into her hazel eyes, feeling overwhelmed with love and excitement about the decision I just made. “Just be prepared for CeeCee to say it’s not what she wanted.”
“I’ll take that chance.”
“Okay, you win, you relentless force of nature. Submit it. But only if you do a happy dance for me.”
Squealing, Georgina gets up and gives me what I’ve demanded, making me laugh and clap. Breathlessly, she slides back into her chair, as I refill our champagne glasses and say a toast to the “godawful” article.
“So... there’s actually one more thing I’ve been wanting to talk to you about,” she says, putting down her champagne glass. “I figured I’d wait until you got home to tell you about it in person.”
My stomach tightens.What now? “Okay...”
Georgina exhales loudly. “It’s Isabel.”
93
