How could so much change within her in such a short period of time?
When they arrived at the garage, Georgina was surprised to see an older man bent over the engine of a car, his greying hair peeking out from under a well-worn cap.
Georgia turned to look at Matt, her eyebrows raised in an unspoken question. It was only then did she see tension leaving his shoulders. He turned and smiled at her. ‘They’re back.’ He climbed out of the truck and Georgia followed suit. ‘Nice of you to let me know you were back home.’ Matt’s voice was sarcastically playful. The older man looked up and laughed. Matt gestured towards Georgina. ‘Dad, I'd like you to meet Georgina. Georgie, this is my father, Robert.’
Robert straightened up, wiping his hands on a rag before extending one to Georgina. His eyes, so similar to Matt's, crinkled at the corners as he smiled. 'So you're the famous Georgina I've been hearing so much about. It's nice to finally meet you.’
Georgina felt a blush creep up her cheeks as she shook his hand. ‘It's nice to meet you too, Mr Harris. How was your holiday? Matt mentioned you were away.’
Robert chuckled. ‘Please, call me Robert. And the holiday was just what I needed. Nothing like a bit of sea fishing to recharge the batteries.’
As Robert launched into a story about the massive fish he'd almost caught, Georgina found herself relaxing slightly. There was something comforting about his presence, a steadiness that reminded her of her own father.
‘...and that's when I realised I'd forgotten to put bait on the hook!' Robert finished with a hearty laugh.
Georgina couldn't help but giggle, the sound feeling foreign after the tension of the morning ride to the garage. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Matt watching her, a soft smile playing on his lips.
‘Well,’ Robert said, clapping his hands together, ‘I'll leave you two to it. I'm sure Matt's eager to show you your car, Georgina.’
As Robert walked away, the awkwardness between Georgina and Matt returned full force. They made their way to where her car sat, its blue paint gleaming under the fluorescent lights. It was clear Matt had not only fixed it, he’d washed and polished it too.
‘She's all fixed up,’ Matt said, his voice carrying a note of pride. ‘Good as new. The key is in the ignition.’
Georgina ran her hand along the smooth hood, a lump forming in her throat. This car represented so much more than just transportation. It was the reason she'd met Matt, the catalyst for over a week of unexpected joy and growing feelings that now terrified her.
‘Thank you,’ she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. ‘I-I really appreciate all your hard work.’
Matt leaned against the car, his eyes searching her face. ‘You know, I'm really glad you broke down outside our garage that day. Working with you, getting to know you...it's been the highlight of my summer.’
Georgina felt her heart constrict. How easy it would be to fall into those warm brown eyes, to let herself believe in the fairytale. But the memory of her past heartbreaks, coupled with the image of Matt glancing at Veronica, held her back.
‘I've enjoyed working here too,’ she said softly, unable to meet his gaze.
Matt's brow furrowed. ‘Georgie, what's going on? You've been quiet all the way here this morning. Did I do something to upset you?’
Georgina took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she knew she had to do. ‘No, Matt. It's not...it's not you. I'm just tired. There's been so much going on with the charity event and all my jobs...’
‘Well, at least you can drop one of them. Now your car is fixed, and dad is back. You can concentrate solely on your charity work and just working your two jobs. Although I won’t lie, I’ll be sad not to see your lovely face looking out at me from behind the glass wall of the office anymore.’
As Matt offered to release her from her work at the garage, Georgina felt a mix of relief and sadness wash over her. This was her chance to create some distance, to protect her heart before it was too late.
‘I think...I think me not working here might be for the best,’ she said, her voice trembling slightly. ‘Thank you for fixing my car, Matt, but like you said, I can concentrate on the sunset picnic charity event now, and hopefully won’t feel so tired working my two parttime jobs.’
The hurt that flashed across Matt's face made Georgina's resolve waver, but she pressed on. ‘Matt, I think we should keep our relationship purely platonic...just as friends. I'll still perform with you at the sunset picnic, but after that...well, I won’t see much of you, because you don't come into the bay much, do you?’
A wash of emotion crossed Matt’s features, as he was trying to read between Georgina’s words—to understand what shemeant. Georgina felt her carefully constructed walls beginning to crumble. She had to leave before she broke down completely.
His mouth opened and closed. ‘Well not normally, but since our friendship began, I was hoping to...’
Georgina cut him off. ‘It's just...it's better this way, Matt. Safer,’ she said, the word 'safer' catching in her throat.
‘Safer? Safer for who? I-I don’t understand.’
‘I-I have to go.’ Georgina turned and walked swiftly to the driver’s side of her car. As she gripped the door handle, she hesitated, a part of her screaming to turn back, to give this beautiful, kind man a chance. But the fear won out.
As she drove away, tears blurring her vision, Georgina caught a glimpse of Matt in her rearview mirror. He stood alone in the garage, looking lost and confused, his hands crossed behind his head. The image burned itself into her mind, a reminder of what she was giving up in the name of self-preservation.
The familiar streets of Seagull Bay passed by in a blur as Georgina made her way home. She felt hollowed out, as if she'd left a vital part of herself back at the garage with Matt.
