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I can't i it up in the owner's box as atched the game While Lexi was definitely a bit reserved as she watched the game, she wasn't completely mute She sat between Gray andbad between the had to have happened between the tiae was noticeable

"I need to see Lexi," I say abruptly to Georgia

"Of course you do," she says ink "She's at the coffee shop and she'll be there all afternoon I knew you'd jump into dad mode"

"You did?" I ask, momentarily distracted from my worry by my curiosity

"You're a great dad," Georgia observes "I watched you that night at The Grind, watching Lexi I've seen how you've accepted her at face value and with open arh the hter So yeahI knew you'd ju this out"

Georgia saze back to her plate, cutting off another piece of lamb to put into her hter's problems, I contemplate this curious woure out if I should explore so or turn tail to run

"What's your story, Georgia?" I ask casually

She lifts her eyes towhat I'ot around to showing interest in me"

I ignore her rebuke, starting to figure out she likes to try to work her way under my skin Well, she's firmly embedded there now, so I don't take the bait, instead just cocking an eyebrow at her "Well?"

Georgia dabs at her lips, which aly still have a perfect sheen of lipstick on them, and pushes her plate a few inches away so she can rest her forearia, originally Carad and decided to make it my permanent home"

"What did you study?" I ask her

"Nuclear engineering"

Because this woman has point-blank told me some whopper stories before, I can't help but say, "You're kidding"

"I'm not," she says firmly "I'm really smart"

"Then how did you go fro a coffeehouse?" I ask incredulously

She shrugs "It just wasn't for , that is I worked for a defense contractor in DC for several years after I graduated, and I hated it The as interesting, but I just didn't feel fulfilled I went to work every day and sat beside a lot of other really brilliant people as we developed and enhanced nuclear technology, and I caht just coet up the courage to make a break from such a steady career, but I've never looked back since, and I don't have a single regret"

Now that's goddamned impressive

"Lexi said you have a son," I say to keep the conversation going, now more fascinated than ever by this woman

Georgia's eyes sparkle and she leans in a little "Asking about me, huh? I'm flattered"

I don't disabuse her of that, because although I didn't specifically ask Lexi about her, I do like the fact I've apparently flattered her So I ive her a sly smile that she can take how she wants and push at her, "Lexi says he lives out west"

Georgia sighs dramatically and waves her hand at me "I love him to death, but he's also the bane of my existence Let me tell you all about it while we finish lunch and you'll realize how lucky you are to have girls"

I laugh

It's deep and steuarded with this woman and I let her carefree spirit charood first date, and yesI go ahead and admit that this is a date

Chapter 14

Lexi