Beautiful Liar (The Reed Rivers Trilogy 2)

After a little more chatting, Georgie orders me off my bike, and begins leading me in some stretches on the floor. But a few minutes in, as Georgie is leaning over one of her legs, she shocks the hell out of me by whispering three little words I never expected to drop from her sultry mouth in a million years.

“I’m sorry, Reed.”

At the sound of her whispered apology, I don’t flinch, even though I feel like I need the crash cart. “Sorry, did you say something?”

She clears her throat. Exhales. “I said I’m sorry. About last night. For how emotional I was.” She winces. “And for flipping you off.”

“It’s okay. I kinda like it when you flip me off.”

She leans against her bike. “I couldn’t sleep last night for hours after I came back up from the pool, so I had plenty of time to think. And I realized you gave me your honest, professional opinion. And no matter how wrong and stupid it was, I should have respected it.” She shrugs. “I had a tantrum. Plain and simple. And I’m sorry.”

Holy shit. Who the hell is this humble, contrite woman before me? I don’t recognize her, except for the part where she called my opinion wrong and stupid. Whoever she is, she’s making my heart squeeze, every bit as much as the fiery, tempestuous, bird-flipping version of her makes my pulse race.

“I understand why you got so emotional,” I say. “You love your stepsister and want the best for her. Plus, obviously, your feelings regarding Alessandra are tied up with your feelings about other things, too.” I touch her shoulder. “I’m deeply sorry about your mother, Georgie.”

“Thank you.” She pauses. “Honestly, until I started melting down like a lunatic last night, I didn’t even realize how interconnected certain things are inside me. But, regardless, I shouldn’t have freaked out on you. That was crazy-pants and bananas and unfair to you, and I promise I’ll try never to do it again. No promises, but I really will try.”

Oh, my heart. “Hey, lose your fucking mind, if you need to, baby. Let your freak flag fly. I certainly didn’t help matters with some of my harsh word choices. When it comes to doling out my professional opinions, I’m used to being brutally honest, without a filter. But I should have appreciated the unique context a bit more. I’m sure it was confusing to you to have me turn into Business Reed on you, while we were lying in bed together in our underwear.”

She flashes me a crooked smile that tells me she appreciates my concession. “So, we’re good, then?”

Every atom in my body sighs with relief. “We’re good.” I open my mouth, as if to say more, but close it.

“But... ?” she prompts.

“Before I let this moment pass, I just want to address something. At the stadium last night, you said you hoped I’d want to help someone I love, the same way you wanted to help Alessandra. You said if I don’t have that same impulse regarding the people I love, then I’m an even bigger dickhead than you thought.”

She grimaces. “Sorry. Wow. I really do fly off the handle sometimes, don’t I?”

I chuckle. “No need to apologize. I’m only bringing it up because I want you to know that I do have that impulse, Georgina. I won’t compromise my business judgment for anyone—as you’ve learned firsthand—but, other than that, I truly would do anything for the short list of people I love.”

Her face softens. She touches my hand. “I don’t doubt that for a minute, Reed.”

“You don’t?”

“No.”

I sigh with relief. “I’m so glad.”

She takes a long sip of water. “Let’s keep stretching.”

We hit the floor and she directs me into a runner’s lunge.

“So, tell me,” she says, bending over her bent front leg. “Who’s on this ‘short list’ of people you love—the ones you’d do anything for?”

And there she is. The Intrepid Reporter has re-entered the building. But it’s an innocuous question. One I don’t mind answering, actually. So, I do. “Well, my family, of course. My mother, sister, nephew, and brother-in-law. Also, Josh and Henn. I consider them family. Their wives and babies, too. CeeCee, as well.”

“CeeCee said the same thing about you. She said she loves you.”

“She did?”

“Yep. She said she loves you and would never want to trick or trap you in relation to your interview.”

I nod, feeling touched. “I love CeeCee, too. She gave me my first big break and changed my life. I’ll be grateful to her forever.”

Georgina instructs me to sit on my ass for a new stretch, and I comply.

“How did you and CeeCee meet?” she asks.

“I crashed CeeCee’s black-tie birthday party. I knew a guy who knew a guy working the door, so I bribed my way onto the list, rented an Armani tux and a limo, and then waltzed into the party like I was the goddamned guest of honor.”