***
“Hello, Toby.” Georgina greeted me formally after hugging her granddaughter. She seemed genuinely happy to see Casey, and I hoped the warmth she projected was sincere.
“A pleasure to see you again, Georgina.” I kissed her on the cheek, trying to get across that I was more important than a passing acquaintance.
“Casey, why don’t you go ahead and start packing. Toby and I are going to go check on the movers downstairs.” She placed a hand on my arm, and I knew better than to argue even though we hadn’t passed any movers or a truck on our way in. If Georgina was trying to get alone time with me, she had something to say. I only hoped it didn’t involve the words stay away.
We’d barely turned the corner when she started in. “What exactly are your intentions with my granddaughter?”
I was prepared for the brazen questioning. “I intend to date her. Maybe more.”
“Despite her Pteron genes?” Georgina looped her arm in mine when we reached the stairs.
I helped balance her as we descended. “To be frank, I don’t really care.”
She stopped and allowed a tiny smile to slip out. “I knew I liked you.”
“You did? You don’t care either?” Was she really taking my admission so calmly?
“Between you and me, that rule is hogwash.”
“Then why even have it?” Would she give the same reasons as Rhett?
“The way I see it, Pterons like to feel strong and powerful. Maybe mating with a human makes them feel that way.” She winked. She did have a sense of humor after all.
“You’re going to support us then?”
“I’m going to support Casey. The road she’s on isn’t an easy one. If she wants to take that road with you by her side, then I’ll support you too.”
“Thanks. I won’t let you down.”
She started walking again. “Don’t worry about letting me down. Worry about taking care of her.”
“I will, but Casey is pretty good at taking care of herself.”
“I know she is. Laurent women are strong, but no matter how strong you are, we can always use someone to rely on.” She gave the advice as we reached the lobby.
“Does your whole family agree with you? Do they all support her?”
She nodded. “Yes. If they didn’t, they’d have to answer to me.”
We walked outside. As expected, there wasn’t a van in sight. “Where are the movers?”
“I sent them off for an hour. They’ll be back.”
“So why did you ask me to walk with you?”
“You know why I did.” She patted my arm. “Now let’s head back up and help Casey.”
I shook my head. “Whatever you say, Georgina.”
“I’m glad to see you understand.”
***
Less than four hours later, Casey was all moved in to her new apartment. I knew she didn’t have tons of stuff, but I still expected it to take longer. Georgina had furnished the place for Casey, so it was really just clothes and some personal mementos that needed to be put away.
“Sit down,” Georgina said to neither one of us in particular. We both went for the same arm chair. I quickly moved out of the way so Casey could sit. “We have some important details to discuss.”
I hoped she wasn’t about to discuss whether I could stay over. That would be awkward.
“Toby, will you be escorting Casey to the wedding?”
She didn’t need to tell me which wedding she was referring to. “I’d like that.”
Casey shot me a look. “You don’t have to.”
I shifted in my chair. “I want to.”
“But…” She glanced at Georgina then back at me. “Even with all your history with Allie?”
“I already told you I’m over her.” Casey needed to understand. She needed to know I wasn’t settling. Allie was a friend, and she’d never be more than that again. It was the way things were meant to be.
“Yeah, but it can’t be easy.”
“Don’t you want me to go with you?” I shot it back to her. Otherwise she was going to keep pushing.
“Yes. Of course.”
“Then it’s settled.” Georgina rested her hands on her lap. “Will you be transporting Casey, then?”
“Yes. The wedding is in Hawaii, isn’t it?” I’d been tuning out the wedding details. Over Allie or not, it’s not much fun to discuss your ex’s wedding. Well, unless it involved spending ten hours on a private jet with your girl. That was a perfectly enjoyable conversation.
“I’m guessing that’s too far to fly ourselves?” Casey looked at me for the answer.
“It’s long. It’s doable, but we’d have to take breaks. We might as well take the jet.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
Georgina leaned forward. “So I assume that’s a yes? You’ll be transporting her?”
I nodded and made eye contact with Georgina. “Absolutely.”
“Terrific.” Georgina stood up. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to New Orleans. I need to have a conversation with my son.”
“Does he hate me?” Casey pressed her lips together into a firm line.
“No. And he will be in touch with you soon.” Without another word, Georgina walked to the door and let herself out.
I sat down on the arm of Casey’s chair. “So… that was an interesting housewarming.”
“Yeah. I wish we had a bottle of wine or something. We need to do something festive, right?”
“Did you really think I forgot that detail?” I walked over to her fridge and pulled out a bottle of Dom Perignon. “Ready to celebrate moving out of your closet?”
“That depends.”
“On?” I took down two wine glasses. Georgina had also fully outfitted her kitchen.
“Whether you’re staying the night.”
“Is that even a question?”
Chapter Eighteen
Jared
New York had lost its appeal. Instead of exciting, now it just reminded me of disappointments and things I couldn’t have. Or really a girl I couldn’t have. I wasn’t in love with her. I knew that much even without Owen throwing it in my face. What I felt for her wasn’t love, but it was something more than I usually felt about girls. And the worst part? I couldn’t even motivate myself to get with anyone else since. At the rate I was going, I would end up as celibate as Owen. As frightening as a thought that was, getting fired and letting Levi down was a worse one.