Page 37 of Slow Burn

“I don’t want him to cancel,” Sloane whispered the lie. At least, it was a lie to Elijah. “But shouldn’t he get adjusted to Landmere?”

“Maybe we could all go.” Elijah cracked a smile that most didn’t see. “If you want him to make friends, we could get a few of us to show up. You can introduce him to everyone.”

“That’s not a bad idea.” Sloane was visibly in a better mood, no longer sitting hunched over in the seat. “I can text him⁠—”

“No!” Elijah quickly interjected. Like the selfish prick he was, he didn’t want Georgia aware he was crashing her date. “You should surprise him. It might be overwhelming for him to meet all of us at the same time.”

“You have a good point. Thanks for this idea. I’ll see who else can join.”

Sloane left his office, and Elijah finally had one-up on Georgia. He couldn’t wait to see her face tomorrow.

When Elijah ruined her date.

CHAPTER

TWELVE

ZINGOS IS NEW to Landmere, at least for Georgia, and playing arcade games was such a creative date idea. This was a point in Dane’s column, and she wasn’t sure if she liked him. Not when Elijah still commanded all her dreams. But she was sure tonight would be fun.

Georgia walked into her apartment and immediately kicked off her shoes. Her work at the clinic was busier than normal today, and she was ready for a long, steamy shower. No, a bath, and she planned to light candles.

Her phone rang, and it was her brother. She smiled when she answered with a hello.

“Hey, Sis. What are you doing tonight?”

Moving to sit on her bed, she reminded him. “I have a date, remember?”

“Oh yeah, that’s right. With Sloane’s friend?” Nash asked, though he sounded distracted.

“Yes, his name is Dane, and we’re going to Zingos. It’s my first time going there. I’m excited. What are you doing tonight?”

“A few of us are going out,” he told her. “Elijah has been grumpier than normal. He needs to get laid.”

“How often does he need to have sex in order not to be an asshole?”

Nash chuckled. “Isn’t that the truth? His disposition has never been cheery, but he’s been in a mood lately.”

“And clearly, the only way for that to change is to hook up with someone.” Not that she would know, but no way was sex some sort of mood stabilizer.

“Don’t knock it until you try it.” Nash laughed again. “Anyway, Elijah and Sloane are planning tonight, so text me if things with Dane don’t pan out and you can meet us.”

Another date with no spark didn’t sound appealing.

“I have high hopes for this one. Sophie and Anna have nothing but good things to say, and Sloane seems great. I doubt she’d have a friend who is a piece of crap,” she informed her brother.

“Text me when you get home if I don’t see you later.” Nash’s big brother voice came out. “Even if you do sleep at his place, lie to me and tell me you’re home.”

“I thought I told you not to be that guy.”

“I’m allowed to be when it comes to my sister having sex.”

“No, you’re not. We’re adults.”

“I can consider myself lucky you never shared your horrid stories with me before. But I can’t see you having a one-night stand and then sneaking out so they don’t ask for your number.”

Her brother was incorrigible.

“I take it that’s a real-life experience you’ve had.” Georgia squinted her nose at her brother, who was a womanizer. Thankfully, none of her friends had been a victim of Nash’s drive-by sexing.