“And you really believe Georgia would do that?” I’ve only known her for a short time and even I know that’s not how she rolls. “I get it, you and Lexi finally got together. You’re happy and in love and you have a baby, but maybe you need to remember who you guys were before. Lexi and Georgia were stuck at the hip. Now… well, shit’s changed.”
“And so, what? You swooped in and gave her your shoulder to cry on?” Alec accuses.
“We hung out… as friends. She’s actually a lot of fun to be around when she’s not holed up in her room.”
“And that’s all it is?” he questions. “Friends?”
“That’s it.” I raise a brow, daring him to argue.
“Yo, Chase, get your ass out here,” Luke yells. “You have a visitor.”
Grabbing my towel off the bench, I wrap it around my neck and walk out to see who’s here for me, with Alec following after. When I get to the main area, Georgia, dressed in another pair of tiny shorts—this time cut-off—and a hoodie with the logo of her dad’s MMA gym on the front, is standing in the middle of the room holding a metal pan of some sort in her hands. Her hair is up in a messy bun and she’s sporting her sexy librarian glasses.
She’s tan from us being in the sun yesterday, and her face is makeup free aside from her lips being glossy. Jesus, she looks fucking stunning… and I’m so screwed.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” I ask, stepping over to her.
“I brought this for you guys.” She shrugs a shoulder and her mouth quirks up into a shy smile.
I take the pan, which upon closer inspection is the kind you use to cook and store food in, and set it on our table. It seats six people, so all the guys on shift can eat together. When I lift the foil, steam wafts out, along with the smell of meat and cheese.
“Holy shit,” Carter says, coming over. “Is that lasagna?” He inhales and rubs his stomach. “That shit smells good.”
“Yep,” Georgia says. “I even made the sauce homemade with the tomatoes and veggies we bought at the farmer’s market.”
“That better be for everyone,” Alec says, sidling up next to Georgia and throwing his arm over the back of her shoulders. My fingers tingle, wanting to push his arm off her and wrap my own around her. It’s stupid. He’s married to her sister, and we’re only friends… But, even knowing all that, it doesn’t change my reaction.
“Your sister can’t cook, so it’s been takeout or delivery every day,” Alec adds.
“It’s for everyone,” she says softly, earning a kiss to her cheek from Alec. I damn near growl, wanting his hands and mouth off her.
“I hope it’s good.” She grabs a bag from the ground I didn’t notice before and pulls out parmesan cheese and rolls. “These are homemade too,” she boasts.
“Damn, Georgia, go big or go home, huh?” I joke, grabbing the plates and silverware and bringing them over.
“Eh… I think I’d much rather be at home,” she says, scrunching up her nose. “It’s safe there.”
The guys all chuckle because she’s fucking adorable, and my stomach knots. I have to remind myself she’s not mine and we’re better off as friends. Realistically, I know one day I’m going to have to let someone in, but I’m just not ready yet. And not with someone as sweet and innocent as Georgia. I come from a fucked up world and she was raised sheltered, always taken care of. We’re too different and we’d never work. Then again, Victoria and I were from the same world and we didn’t work either…
“Stay and eat with us,” Scott says, pulling out a chair for Georgia. Alec has thankfully dropped his arm and is cutting the lasagna into pieces. Thomas grabs another chair and brings it to the table, so all seven of us can sit together.
“Are you sure?” Georgia asks. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“You’re probably the most welcome person here,” Luke jokes, taking a bite of his food. He chews and swallows and groans. “Damn, woman. Marry me right now.”
Georgia snorts a laugh, and Alec glares, ever the protective pseudo brother.
“Is it good?” she asks.
“It’s fucking delicious,” Thomas says through a mouthful. “I’m going to need you to send me this recipe so I can have Hilary make it.
“No way.” Luke shakes his head. “It’s a secret recipe and my wife can only make it for me.” He winks at Georgia and her face turns a light shade of pink.
“Why don’t you take it down a notch,” I growl at him, annoyed as fuck. Georgia and Alec both look at me. Alec’s brow is raised and Georgia is frowning.
“I’m just saying, if you scare her off, she won’t bring us any more food,” I say, trying to play it off. All the guys are looking at me, so I dive into my food, ignoring all their stares.