“Why would you do that?”
“For touching you where he shouldn’t have, of course.”And for Lizzy.“For Christ’s sake, you were fifteen. He was twenty-five!”
“But that was years ago. I hardly remember it.”
“That doesn’t matter. You’re my sister, an innocent child! The guy’s a sexual predator and deserves a beat down every damned day of his life. At the wedding, he was openly hitting on a waitress with Lizzy seated no more than thirty feet away.” He shook his head. “To hell with avoiding a Darcy scandal, I should have turned him in to the police years ago.”
Georgiana bravely put her shoulders back and clearly forced a smile. “I’m glad you told me about him.” She resolutely nodded. “So! Do you want my advice about the cowgirl or not?”
Although he sensed there was something deeper going on, like maybe some residual trauma that needed to be discussed, she understandably pressed to change the topic.
“Well? Do you want my pearls or not?” she coldly asked.
“Please. I am all ears,” he said. “Give it to me straight.”
“They say that when someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. Literally, dude, leopards don’t change their spots. She hurt you once—she’ll hurt you again. Trust me, it’s the way it is. Shitty people don’t change—they just get better at hiding their true nature. George is a perfect example.”
“Lizzy isnoWickham. She was always ethical and honest, kind and loving. Her sister’s malevolent influence made her do the unthinkable,” he oddly defended.
“Pfft. Don’t expect this new Lizzy to be an improved Lizzy whether you had a great past or mind-blowing sex in the present. Sex isn’t a true litmus test of authenticity, and just because you got it on with her doesn’t necessarily equate to love.”
“It does in my mind.”
“You’re so old-fashioned. Look at her essentials—she’s not trustworthy and probably the same weak loser she always was. Just like George. I know that now.”
“How do you know that?”
She sighed, rose from the stool, then walked to the stove to turn off the coffee pot. With her back to him, she rose up and down executing barre footwork. “I know because I’ve been dating George for the last three months. He said he loved me, and I believed him. He said we were always meant to be together.”
Sucker punched, he abruptly stood. Fisting his hands, the pain of what that asshole did and the anger and disappointment in himself for not protecting his baby sister, even in adulthood, made him want to punch the wall. Then finally, filled with empathy, sorrow washed over him relating to her unexpected heartbreak. Because, as effed up as it was, it was clear Gigi had fallen hard for the douchebag.
He walked over to the stove, then put an arm around her shoulders. “I’m so sorry, Gigi. I didn’t know he had come back into your life.” Sighing, he breathed, “I failed you.”
“You didn’t fail me. I failed my good judgment, probably like your cowgirl has—again. You’re right, he’s a master manipulator.”
“Yes. He is. His dick should come with a warning label.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered. I was a naïve, love-struck twit, having just come off a major rejection from my ABT audition. When I ran into him, he knew all the right things to say. I guess I was vulnerable to his smooth tongue, just like all those years ago.”
“Do you want me to kick his ass, again?” he half-joked.
“That’s not enough. You have to hit George wherehe’smost vulnerable and that lies in his photography. It feeds his ego and sex drive. It’s how he lured me in as a model on pointe shoes then as his girlfriend, all ... for my money, I’m sure. He used me.”
Abstract photographer.Repulsed, hesilently raged, recalling the strange photograph hanging in the apartment foyer.
“Oh, God. I’m sorry, Gigi.”
Lizzy needed to know, if for no other reason than it being the right thing to do. The question was how? To what purpose? He feared it would look self-serving.
“Did he hurt you? You know, was it consensual?” he gingerly asked.
“It was consensual. I jumped into the relationship willingly.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “Maybe that’s why it hurts so much. Grrr! I’m such an idiot!”
Helpless and struggling not to lecture her for going near the guy, he said, “I’m sorry this happened. I’d like to say the hurt heals in time.”
“I guess knowing he’s a total asshole eases the pain. Did it get better for you?”
“For years, but now, I’m more messed up than before. I wish I had the answers for you.”
