Page 134
“I’d like that,” said Georgie. “Thing is, I’m on the cusp of a promotion at work, and my mum’s in Toronto. Dad died years back, and it’s just us.” Patting the basset hound, she straightened up.
“Aw, poor lamb,” said Rafferty. “But poor Ollie, too. You sure you won’t move—”
“Raff?” Brow furrowed, Oliver lowered their drinks onto the table. “What did I say?”
He rolled his eyes as Oliver sat down. “Don’t scare Georgie away.”
“Oh, I’m not scared.” She picked up her wine, only partially telling the truth.
Rafferty dug into his packet of pork scratchings. “Ollie, I was only saying Gigi would love it here.”
“Calling her Gigi already?” Oliver spoke over the rim of his pint. “You just met an hour ago.” He took a long sip.
“But I feel like I’ve known her for ages,” said Rafferty. “She also said I can bunk at hers when I visit this summer.”
Oliver wiped beer foam from his upper lip. “You’re visiting?”
Georgie nodded. “He wants to see all the places from your postcards.”
“Cheers, doll.” Rafferty raised his drink in celebration. “Consider my ticket booked.”
* * *
Enjoying the unseasonably warm weather as they walked Waffles across Waterloo Bridge, Oliver unbuttoned his coat and looked toward the South Bank. “I hope Rafferty wasn’t pressuring you about letting him stay…or moving.”
Georgie wrapped Waffles’ leash around her wrist. “No, but he did mention moving a few times.”
“I’m sorry. He gets an idea and won’t quit.”
“Oh, it’s fine. He was just having fun.” Georgie’s stomach rolled. “Like us, the only difference being we’re ignoring the proverbial elephant in the room.” She glanced over furtively. “We can’t keep avoiding it, Ollie. We have to talk about it, especially after…”
“I love you?” A contemplative smile graced his lips.
Stopping, Georgie captured his mouth in a slow kiss. She opened her eyes as he swept his hand through her hair. “I’ve had the best time. Hanging with Waffles. Seeing the Tower and Hampton Court, Kensington Palace and the Cabinet War Rooms—”
“The maze in Crystal Palace Park.” Oliver glanced down at Waffles sniffing the bridge’s railing. “I’m a bit confused, though. You seemed more excited to see it than the one at Hampton Court, and it’s two hundred years older!”
“Was I?” Suppressing a grin, Georgie dipped her chin, hiding the rising blush behind her hair. “Heaven knows why.”
Waffles tugged her forward, and they continued on their way, hand in hand. “It’s been so wonderful,” she said, “having a dog again. And this weather…”
Oliver peered westward toward Big Ben and squinted into the warm midafternoon sun. “I love when London has an early spring.”
“I can’t believe the daffodils are out already. We don’t see them till mid-April.” Whoops. Had she just fallen into the city comparison trap? Georgie let out a slow, measured breath, choosing to tackle that pesky elephant head-on. “You know, I kinda thought you might try to persuade me to move here, show me how London’s better than Toronto.”
“Oh god no! I wanted you to have a stress-free holiday.” His forehead creased. “Why? Have you felt pressured?”
“No, not by you.” She shrugged a shoulder. “Me on the other hand…”
Oliver smiled sheepishly. “Would I be thrilled if you visited, fell in love with London, and wanted to stay? Absolutely, but I also know how much your mum and your job and hockey mean to you. Toronto’s home. I’d never pressure you to leave your life and what you love.”
“But I love you, too,” said Georgie.
He gazed at her adoringly. “I know. I feel the same way.”
Waffles stopped to sniff, so Georgie let him indulge and leaned against the bridge’s railing. “So if we want to be together after August, and you’re not moving and I’m not moving…”
Oliver rubbed the back of his neck. “We’ve got a problem.” He licked his lips. “I know it’s not the best solution, but there’s always long distance.”
