Entice - By Ella Frank Page 0,97

you. Don’t let what we did to each other, and inadvertently you, destroy your life.”

Shelly bit her bottom lip as she turned to push open the door.

“Oh, Shelly?”

She turned back to see her father give her a lopsided smirk.

“Your brave face is still horrible.”

***

Josh was sitting, watching a baseball game, when his laptop chimed, indicating he had a message. Looking down to the toolbar, he saw it was from Georgia.

Leaning forward, he picked up the computer and put it on his lap. Reaching out, he grabbed his beer, took a swig, and read.

Georgia: Can’t sleep. You awake?

Josh settled on the couch and typed back.

Yeah, I’m awake, Georgia. How goes it?

Georgia: Ugh. I’m down visiting my parents this weekend…need I say more?

Josh took a deep breath and let it out.

Wow, that must be rough on her, he thought as he put the beer down on the coffee table. Sitting back, he typed.

Horrible?

Georgia: Pretty much. Drove back from the airport with my father.

Oh boy. Josh wasn’t sure what she wanted at this stage, so he kept it light and easy, letting her make the decision to either open up or move on.

How’d that go?

Josh waited a good five minutes, and then he got her response.

Georgia: It was really sad. How is it that in the space of several months I have had my heart broken twice?

Josh leaned his head back against the chair and reread that message twice.

Why is she determined to bring me to my knees?

He wasn’t ready. His brain and his body were ready, but his heart was still telling him to tread gently. This woman had the ability, as he already knew, to break and burn him.

I broke your heart?

Josh asked like an idiot. This conversation could only move him further toward aching for her when he was trying to work out what to even do about her.

Georgia: It breaks every time I think of you.

Josh’s heart wasn’t broken right now. It was thundering in his chest. He wanted so badly to reach over and pick up the phone—to call her and hear her voice telling him all the words she was writing. Instead, he wrote back.

Mine has never quite healed.

There was a long pause, and he wondered what she would write next. He was shocked when she changed the subject.

Georgia: It’s raining here tonight. I’m sitting by my bedroom window with my laptop, watching the lightning.

Josh settled in, crossing his legs on the coffee table while he turned on some music.

Yeah? It’s raining here, too.

Georgia: Where’s here?

None of your business.

He typed, chuckling, and added a smiley face poking out its tongue.

Georgia: Damn, I thought for sure I could get you that time.

Nice try, Georgia, but I’m onto you.

Georgia: Pretty sure you’re not, or I’d be much happier right now.

She ended that flirty little comment with a wink. Josh grinned, typing back.

Happier, huh? You’re happy when I’m on top of you?

Oh yeah, sexy I can do. Heartfelt, I’m not ready for, Josh thought.

Georgia: Happy is probably the wrong word. Hot? Horny? Wet?

Josh groaned, and then shook his head. Crazy, sexy woman.

What are you wearing?

Georgia: A smile.

Laughing, Josh wrote back.

And…

Georgia: A bigger smile?

Josh smiled over her antics, and then wrote.

I want to kiss that smile soon.

Georgia: If you told me where you are, I’d come see you.

Josh sighed as he always did when she asked. Then, he responded.

I know. That’s why I haven’t told anyone. I’ll be back for the wedding.

Georgia: That’s in a month! That’s a long time to wait for a kiss.

Josh sat up before writing.

Trust me, it’ll be worth it. I gotta go sleep now. You okay?

He waited, wanting to make sure she was feeling alright.

Georgia: Yeah, I’m fine. Josh?

Josh felt his heart hammer in his chest again.

Yes?

Georgia: Thank you for being there. I wish you were here to hold me tonight.

Josh read the words and was just about to send, I want to be there every night, when he noticed she was already gone.

Chapter Twenty-Two

August

Josh was packing up his truck and getting ready to drive back to Chicago. He had a wedding to attend.

He opened the side door for Mutley, and his dog took a bounding leap, landing in the passenger seat before turning back to look at him.

Yeah, you aren’t as pretty as my last road trip partner, Josh thought before ruffling his dog’s head.

Mutley whined, and then lay back down.

As Josh walked around the front of his truck to the driver’s side door, he looked up at the clear sky and took in a