Full Exposure (Independence Falls 1)

“And last night, he took me to the coast,” Georgia added.

Eric frowned at her. Liam wasn’t an idiot. If she kept pressing, he’d put the pieces of the puzzle together. And connecting the dots was no way for Liam to find out.

“But don’t worry, big brother,” she continued. “We stayed in and watched the new Ryan Gosling movie. Nothing too exciting.”

Liam snorted. “Man, I owe you one for that.”

Eric looked over at Georgia. She was still smiling, but it looked forced.

“I’m going to take a nap,” Georgia said. “I’ll leave you boys to your gossip.”

Eric watched her leave, knowing that was a lie.

Georgia didn’t sleep much. Even when he worked late, she was up when he got home most nights. After Liam left, he should swing by her room and talk. Or maybe he should let her have some time and space to think things through. He should probably do that himself. Between Georgia, his mother, and now the DOF investigation, it was a wonder his head hadn’t exploded.

Chapter Eleven

WHEN KATIE HAD invited her out for a new homecoming adventure, Georgia had jumped at the chance for a distraction from the constant stream of questions and doubts running through her mind about her time at Eric’s condo. Georgia had expected a trail ride or a hike. But no, her friend had driven her straight to Ariel’s Hair & Nail Salon.

“Waiting for nail polish to dry is not exactly my idea of a fun morning.” Georgia wiggled her freshly painted red toes. The color was bright and cheerful, but did little for her brooding mood.

“Sit back and relax,” Katie said. “Drink your lemon water. This is girl time. You need this. And now that we’re alone, I want all the details.”

After their pedicures, they’d moved to the salon’s back patio to sip the supposedly detoxifying water and wait for their nails to dry.

“I don’t kiss and tell,” Georgia said, hoping the line she’d used with her brother last night would work on Katie.

“Fair enough. But I have one question. If your brother knew, would he start throwing punches?”

“Yes.”

Katie let out a sigh, covering her heart with her hand.

“Oh please, this is not a fairy-tale romance,” Georgia said. “And I have a question for you. How did your brother find out you were watching Nate the other night?”

Katie’s eyes widened. “Not from me.”

“Chad told Liam that I’m seeing someone. And Liam confronted me last night. In front of Eric.”

Katie closed her eyes. “Oh no. I mentioned that I’d been playing trains with Nate to Lila. The receptionist at the office,” she said, referring to her family trucking company. “She has a two-year-old boy who is just starting to like trains. She must have said something. I’m sorry.”

“It’s OK,” Georgia said. “I told him Eric was helping me find an outlet for my adventurous spirit.”

Katie laughed. “There’s a degree of truth to that. Do you think Liam suspects something more?”

“Maybe.” Georgia stared at her red toes. “But it doesn’t matter. It’s over.”

“Because of Liam?” Katie picked up the pitcher of lemon water and refilled their glasses.

“Yes. But only a little.”

“You’re entitled to your private life,” Katie said, her voice strong and fierce. “You and Eric—that has nothing to do with Liam. Don’t let your brother stand in your way.”

“It’s complicated.” Her fear of opening up and letting someone in, leaning on them and trusting them, ran bone deep. She could see that now.

Katie reached over and took her hand. “Honey, you’ve loved Eric Moore since you were a teenager. This was never simple. But if neither one of you is willing to make the first move, to push this further, then you’re at a standstill. And I’m starting to think that would hurt you more than anything.”

Georgia nodded, the truth in her friend’s words sinking in. “He made the first move. He wanted to tell my brother. I’m the one holding back.”