Never Have I Ever (Georgia & Richard)

Georgia

I did one last check of my suitcase, frowning as I ran through my mental checklist.

“Shit, the little red dress.” I muttered, hurrying over to my closet.

I yanked out the silky slip and rolled it up, squeezing it into a small gap at the side of the suitcase.

“I hope Sophie has a lot of spare room.”

I glanced over at the doorway, my smile widening as I took in the gorgeous man filling it. He was casually leaning against the frame, a cup of coffee in his hand.

“I want to make sure I look my best.”

He held his arm out to me, snaking it around my waist and pulling me into a hug.

“You don’t need a million outfits to look beautiful.” He said, kissing me on the top of my head.

I placed my hand on his chest, stroking the crisp material of his white shirt. Mark’s body was made to be in a suit, with his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

“That’s very kind of you to say.” I replied, peering up at him.

“It’s the truth. In fact, you look your best when you have nothing on at all…”

He placed his cup on the top of my dresser and lifted me up, kissing me slowly.

“You’re full of compliments today.” I breathed when he finally released my mouth. His eyes sparkled as he placed me back on the floor.

“Well, you can hardly blame me. You’re off to England for two weeks, and you’ll be seeing your ex. I might never see you again.”

I felt my cheeks flush. He was teasing, but there was truth to his concern. It might have been 12 months since my relationship with Richard had ended, but I was still not over him. My most successful coping strategy was to act like he didn’t exist. That plan worked brilliantly, as long as we were on opposite sides of the world.

“Relax, Georgia. I’m messing around. We both agreed that we weren’t anything serious. I’m not about to get all possessive.” He said, tapping me on the nose.

He picked up the cup, and I followed him through my apartment and into the kitchen.

“That isn’t going to happen, Mark. I’ll be back before you know it.” I said, watching as he washed the cup and set it on the side.

He picked up the towel and dried his hands.

“Whatever you say. I need to get a move on. I can’t be late for the first day of trial. Let me know when your flight lands.”

I held up his expensive suit jacket that was over the back of one of the chairs. He put it on, and I smoothed down the lapels.

“Of course I will. Make sure you keep me updated on the case. I feel bad that I’m not here for it.”

Mark grinned at me and stroked my hair from my face.

“It’ll be fine. You know I love high-profile cases like this.”

“That’s because you’re a top lawyer.” I muttered, winking at him.

He smirked, kissing me on the lips.

“I guess I’ll be seeing you in a few weeks.”

I nodded, suddenly feeling tearful. He pulled me into a tight embrace, pressing me into his chest. We stood like that for a few minutes, neither of us speaking.

“I’ve really got to go. You’ll be ok?” He said, releasing me and studying my face.

“I’ll be fine. Now go and kick some ass in the courtroom.” I said, keeping my voice light.

He nodded, and I hesitated. I could tell he wanted to say something, but for some reason, he was holding back. I followed him out to the hallway, where he picked up his briefcase and sunglasses.

“I’ll speak to you later?” He said, placing his RayBan aviators on. I couldn’t help but admire him, a pulse of lust racing through me.

“Yes, you will.” I said, stretching up on my tip-toes to kiss him.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling his face to mine to deepen the kiss. My heart was racing in my chest as my tongue parted his mouth, kissing him passionately. Mark dropped his briefcase, making both of us jump and come apart.

“What was that for?” He said, sounding breathless.

“You know the effect it has on me when you’re suited up for court, especially with those shades.” I teased, before kissing him on the mouth one last time.

He grinned and shook his head.

“I wish I had time to make the most of that, but I’ve really got to go.”

I tugged his tie and shot him a sexy smile.

“Ok, well, we can pick up where we left off in a few weeks.”

He grabbed his briefcase and opened the door. I watched as he walked to the elevator, pressing the button.

“I’ll hold you to that.” He said, turning to look at me.

He removed his RayBans, and his eyes met mine in a heated gaze. I grinned as he walked into the elevator, turning to wink at me before the doors closed.

As I left customs in Heathrow Airport, my head felt like it was spinning. Not only was I jet-lagged, but the anticipation of seeing Richard again was intense.

It was a year later, but that felt like nothing. We’d fallen hard and fast for each other, the passion unlike anything I felt before.

I was shoved all over the place as I got lost in the swarm of people.

“Georgia! Over here!”

Sophie’s voice travelled across the Arrivals Lounge. When I finally saw her, tears stung my eyes. She was jumping up and down, her slender arms waving in the air. I hurried towards her and before I knew it, she had chucked her arms around me, squeezing me tightly.

“I can’t believe you are finally here!” She squealed, pulling back to look at me.

“You look amazing, Soph. The best I’ve ever seen!” I exclaimed.

“Thanks. I’ve been on a diet for the wedding, but James keeps messing it up.”

I grinned, ignoring the pang in my chest.

“Well, you look amazing. I can’t believe you guys are getting married. It’s so exciting.”

She grabbed my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“I can’t wait for you to see our house. The farm is incredible, and the vineyards are doing so well.”

I followed her outside, the cool air making me shiver.

“I’m looking forward to it. You’ve made it sound so dreamy.”

“It is. I love being in the countryside, and James enjoys it so much more than his previous work.”

I nodded, gripping the handle of my case a little tighter.

“How was the flight?” She asked, leading me across the busy sidewalk.

“Ugh, the guy next to me snored the entire time. I hardly got any sleep. I bet I look terrible.”

Sophie grinned.

“Georgia, you look gorgeous as you always do.”

I bumped into her.

“You have to say that.”

It felt so good to be back with my best friend. We headed to the carpark, and I stopped for a second, taking in the pinky blue sky as the early morning sun warmed the air.

“How does it feel being back here?” I asked, squeezing Sophie’s hand.

“I didn’t realise how much I missed it. At first, it was difficult to shake off the way I felt last time I was here. James has been amazing, though. We’ve started this new adventure together with the farm and vineyards.”

I smiled at her.

“I’m glad. If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s you two. After everything you went through…”

I felt her shiver, and when I looked at her, I could see she was tearful.

“Right, we should get a move on. You’ll probably want a nap before the get-together tonight. James has planned a meal and drinks.”

I cleared my throat, trying to calm my nerves.

“Is Richard going to be there?”

She gave me a sideways glance as we walked to a silver Mercedes.

“He said he’d come, but only if you were comfortable with it.”

I snorted.

“That’s so typical. Put it back on me, so I look like the one with the issue! I don’t care if he’s there. It’s been a year. I’ve moved on.”

She opened the trunk, and I could tell my response had been too over the top to be believable. His presence was going to be a test that I didn’t know I was ready for.

“Ok, I’ll tell James to let him know he can come. They’re still working on their relationship, but things have improved between them.” She said, helping me hoist my case in.

I didn’t say anything as I got into the passenger side of the car. After I had left Ibiza, Richard didn’t seem interested in working on our relationship. The final nail in the coffin was when he told me he was too busy with work to come to New York and see me. I’d mailed my engagement ring back to him and we hadn’t spoken since.

“I think he misses you, Georgia.” Sophie said as she joined me in the car.

“Yeah, well, he didn’t seem to give a shit a year ago. We wouldn’t have worked out, anyway. Things are different when you’re on vacation. It isn’t normal everyday life.”

“Yeah, I guess.” She replied, starting the engine.

We drove in silence for a few minutes. I could tell that Sophie had something she wanted to say, but she seemed to be struggling to get it off her chest.

“Ok, spit it out. I’m a big girl. What are you thinking?” I said, turning to look at her.

She groaned, shaking her head.

“Nothing, it’s just I feel awful. It’s my fault you guys aren’t together, and now I’m the one getting married.”

I frowned.

“It is not your fault! Richard made a bad decision. I could never be with someone that cold and cruel.”

“He thought he was protecting you and James. I-”

“Sophie, stop! I’m not here to get back with Richard. I’m here for your wedding. I’ll tolerate being around him, but I have no interest in bullshit excuses for his behavior.”

Her face fell. I hadn’t meant to sound so harsh, but everything felt so raw and prickly when it came to my ex-fiancée.

“Of course. I’m sorry.”

I stared out of the window, the silence between us becoming strained. Once we’d joined the highway, I sighed.

“Fuck, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be a bitch. I just… I don’t want to think about it. I’ve moved on.”

That wasn’t exactly true, but thankfully Sophie didn’t challenge me.

“I’m sorry as well. All I want is for you to be happy, Georgia. You deserve it.”

I exhaled, nodding my head.

“I am. Things are going well with Mark.”

She squealed.

“That was going to be my next question! Are you guys officially a couple yet?”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“We aren’t putting a label on it. His divorce was only finalised a few months ago, and his ex-wife was a nightmare. Neither of us are looking for anything serious.”

“But you’re exclusive, right?” Sophie asked.

I hesitated.

“We’ve not talked about it. I don’t know. For now, it’s working as it is. We’ve only been seeing each other for a couple of months. It’s still early days.”

She nodded, and I pulled out my phone to send him a message. It would only be 1.00am in New York, but I wanted to let him know I’d arrived ok.

“Graham and Johnny are coming over tonight. They can’t wait to see you!”

I smiled.

“That’s nice. I’ve missed them.”

She started to fill me in on Graham’s latest escapade with an Italian model. I only half-listened, my anxiety increasing. This was going to be so awkward. The last time we’d all been together, Richard and I were engaged.

A panicked thought entered my head.

“Richard, isn’t there already, is he?” I asked, my heart racing.

Sophie shook her head.

“No, he isn’t. I would have told you if he was.

I sighed with relief. She was watching me out of the corner of her eye, and I could see her putting two and two together.

“Nobody wants to see their ex for the first time after a 7-hour night flight.” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

She burst out laughing.

“You look gorgeous. I’ve never seen you look bad.”

Her loyalty was like basking in warm sunshine. There was a reason we were best friends. She chatted away for the rest of the journey, but thoughts of Richard were consuming me. I might have been able to fool everyone else I’d moved on, but there was no fooling myself.

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