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)
Fuck, he did not want to do this, but he had no choice. He forced out the words stuck in his throat. “I think it would be best if we…ended things.”
“Of course you do,” she said softly. And since Georgia wasn’t the type of woman to yell, scream, or cry, her eyes merely flashed with a gut-wrenching pain he felt all the way to his soul. “So, that’s it?” she asked. “We’re just done?”
“I won’t have the time for us,” he said, his voice sounding as rough as sandpaper to his own ears. “The hours involved in this negotiation, the frequent travel…it’s going to be an insane schedule for quite a while, and I’ll have little to no time left over.”
Her lips pursed. “So you’ve taken it upon yourself to make the decision for both of us? Without asking how I feel about the new challenges in your life?”
The hurt in her voice cut through him like a knife. “I don’t have to ask because I already know how a relationship under these circumstances would turn out.”
She narrowed her gaze. “How could you possibly know that?”
He blew out a harsh breath. “Because I’ve been in this situation before, and it did not end well.”
She stared at him, clearly confused by his comment because he’d never told her about Angie.
“My last serious relationship ended because she felt I wasn’t present in the relationship. My ex was lonely and slept with another man because she felt neglected, and that was before I made partner at the firm. Now, I’m going to be five times busier once I accept this offer, with very little quality time left to nurture a relationship with you.”
She stared as he spoke, not interrupting. He had no idea what she was thinking, and he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Look, I’m trying to do the right thing because I never want you to end up resenting me because I can’t give you what you need. What you deserve.” He needed her to understand where he was coming from and see he was doing what was best. Even if it hurt like hell.
The sadness in her eyes was killing him and when she finally spoke, she pushed the knife in further. “Do you realize you never asked me what I needed in a relationship? Instead, you made your decision based on another woman who did a shitty thing and hurt you. It’s like you don’t know me, and by now, you really should.” She shook her head sadly.
“Georgia—”
“No. It’s my turn to speak. During our time together, I’ve proven I know, value, and love everything about the dedicated, loyal man you are.”
His heart stopped in his chest at her declaration and scrambled his brain, which gave her time to stand up and approach him, clearly not finished having her say. He rose to his feet but remained silent.
“You should have asked my opinion about us. Instead, you just decided it was best to end things. Your choice, your decision. And if that’s what you really want, fine. I don’t need a man in my life who doesn’t love and want me the way I do him.”
He opened his mouth, though he had no idea what he wanted to say, and she held up her hand again. Having learned his lesson, he shut it and let her continue.
“Before I leave, I want you to know something. I’d never expect more than you could give. I know what I’m getting into with an attorney. I grew up with a father in this field, and I know the commitment it takes to be successful as a lawyer, that there will be times when things get canceled or cases come up that consume all of your time. But you know what?” she asked, and he knew she didn’t expect him to respond.
“I’m an independent woman,” she went on, her shoulders straightening. “I have a job that I love, which…surprise!…sometimes demands more than just normal nine-to-five hours. I have my own friends I like to spend time with, so while you’re busy at work or out of the country, I’d be just fine. We went all last week without seeing each other, and guess what? I didn’t fall apart. I never once felt neglected or ignored because we found other ways to still be present in each other’s lives. Texts, phone calls, and a quick FaceTime work, you know? I missed you, but I was willing to do whatever it takes to make a relationship between us work…because I love you,” she said, her voice tangled with emotion.
His logical brain searched for a way to counter everything she’d said and fell short, and the words I love you remained lodged in his throat, pure fear consuming him. “Georgia—”
She shook her head. “And by the way, the only thing I need and deserve is a man who trusts me and believes we can make this work. Everything else would have fallen into place. And without it, well, we don’t have much of a foundation, do we?”