Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Even knowing the source of Elliott’s grudge with Drew, she didn’t believe for a second Drew was using her. Being vindictive and vengeful wasn’t in Drew’s nature. Even when he’d known Elliott had been trying to pursue her, Drew had never bad-mouthed his colleague. Elliott was the one with the malicious, jealous attitude as he tried to make Drew look bad in her eyes, but that wasn’t going to happen.
She lifted her chin. “I don’t appreciate you harassing me. Please step out of my way so I can leave.”
Still, Elliott didn’t budge and continued his rant. “Drew doesn’t want you, except maybe to fuck around with,” he said with an awful sneer that sent chills down her spine. “Maybe I was just going about things the wrong way with you. If I’d known you were such a whore, I’d—”
Furious at his gall, Georgia cut off his words with a hard slap across the face, one that made his head snap to the side and her own palm sting from the force of her blow. Her handprint immediately bloomed bright red on his cheek, and when he glanced back at her, his eyes darkened with rage.
“Bitch,” he hissed spitefully, his entire body tensing with fury.
For a moment, she thought Elliott was going to lunge, and she inhaled a deep breath, preparing to scream.
“Elliott!” Georgia’s father’s voice boomed loudly, and she and Elliott jumped at Roland’s unexpected presence down the hall. “I’ve seen and heard enough! Don’t you ever threaten my daughter again. Get in my office,” her father ordered Elliott. “Now.”
Elliott’s anger quickly morphed into fear, his eyes wide, remorse all over his expression. No doubt, he’d just realized he’d put his career in jeopardy. Averting his gaze, he kept his mouth shut as he did as her father had ordered. Head down, he strode in the direction of his boss’s office.
Georgia’s father approached her, and she was suddenly aware that a few other employees had stepped out of their offices to see what was going on.
“Are you okay?” Her father placed his hands on Georgia’s arms, his worried gaze scanning her face. “Did he touch you at all?”
She shook her head, still shaken by the whole incident. “No. I’m the one who slapped him because of what he said to me.”
“He deserved it,” her father growled protectively. “I heard and saw it all. I promise you, this will never happen again. I don’t employ people with volatile tempers and anger management issues, and clearly, that’s the case with Elliott.” He shook his head. “I don’t know how I misjudged him for so long.”
“Ambitious people know how to hide their true selves, Dad.” Georgia didn’t feel bad that Elliott had just gotten himself fired, considering he’d instigated the entire confrontation, the idiot. “Do you need me to stay?”
It was the last thing Georgia wanted to do, but she wasn’t sure if her father needed a statement from her for human resources to back up his decision to terminate Elliott’s employment.
Her father pulled her into his warm embrace and kissed her temple. “No. You can go. I’ll take care of things.” He released her and stepped back, his expression apologetic. “And again, I’m sorry.”
She nodded, appreciating her father’s kindness and caring. If it were her mother in this situation, Georgia was fairly certain she would have made excuses for Elliott’s reprehensible behavior.
She said goodbye to her father, and headed for the parking garage.
At least she’d never have to face Elliott again. The knots in her stomach eased as she slid into her car and exhaled a deep breath to calm her frazzled nerves.
Closing her eyes, she recounted her successes. She’d talked to her mother, resolved things with her father, and now there was only one person left she needed to speak to. Drew.
She didn’t believe a word Elliott had said about him, but considering what she’d just gone through with Elliott, she wanted to hear Drew’s side of their history and obvious one-sided rivalry. Then, she needed to talk to Drew about something even more important. Them.
Georgia wasn’t a casual dater or someone who could handle a “friends with benefits” type arrangement. Not when her heart was involved. And it was. Very deeply. As difficult as it would be to walk away from him, she couldn’t keep seeing him without the security of knowing they were headed toward something more meaningful.
She deserved a commitment and the reassurance that he was in this relationship as deeply as she was. Right now, she was in a place of limbo, and she needed answers, even if they weren’t the ones she wanted to hear.
She pulled her phone from her purse and sent him a text: I’d like to speak to you in person. Can I come over to your place when you get home from work?