Two Lives, One Friendship, No Regrets - xiv. (Cont'd)

He watched as they walked into the restaurant. From where he sat, he could see her smiling as she chatted with Kelly while following the hostess to the table where he sat. He got up from his chair watching Georgia’s face intently.

Jaw drop.
Confusion.
Tension?

Was that tension he saw creeping into Georgia’s features?
Oh no.

"Georgia, I’d like to introduce you to our newest Chief Architect and my new partner, Phoenix."
"We know each other," Georgia stuttered as she struggled to regain her composure.
"Yes, he mentioned that you are close friends."
"We grew up together, yes."

The whole time she was talking to Ranger and avoiding any eye contact with him. Why? Phoenix asked himself. I thought we were good?
He walked on over to their side of the table and gave her a big hug. Much to his relief, she returned it with a big squeeze.

"Surprise," he whispered in her ear.
The scraping back of a chair brought them back to the present. Ranger had seated Kelly in front of him.
Reluctantly he let go of her and pulled out the chair for her to sit in across from his seat. He missed her.

The foursome ate their meal while talking about business and how things will proceed from here and what each person‘s duties would be.
Once it was time for them to leave, the married couple begged off early because of Kelly’s doctors appointment.

Walking towards Phoenix’s car, Georgia was in a state of confusion. It finally dawned on her that he had picked up and moved his life here - maybe not for her, but definitely close to her.
They were on the road when without a second thought she asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I’m driving you back to the office."
She flinched, "No, I know that. I mean why did decide to move out here?"
"Change?"
He was being difficult.

"So all this is just a coincidence?"
"Actually, yes and no," he said, concentrating on the road.
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
He parked his assigned spot, shut off the engine and turned in his seat to face her. She was staring ahead, avoiding his eye contact.
"Look at me," he demanded.
"Why are you here, Phoenix?" she demanded.
"Why are you here, Georgia?"
She stuttered as he put a hand on each side of her face to make her look at him, "Be-because…" as they held each others eyes. She forced herself to look down even though his hands kept her facing him.
"Why are you avoiding me, Gi?"
Unable to look him square in the eye, she kept her eyes lowered.
"I’m not-"

"Oh yes you are!" He cut her off, knowing she’d have a lame excuse.
"Ok, I am." He wasn’t prepared for the honesty.
"Why?" Her heart ached at his softly whispered question.
When she didn’t answer. Her heart ached too much. She’d scare him off for sure if she’d tell him straight out that she needed space away from him. She just shook her head.

In the corner of Phoenix’s eye was Ranger who was in the doorway waving for their attention. Crap, thought Phoenix.
"We’re not done yet. I deserve an answer, Gi. We are friends aren‘t we?"
When he got no response, his hands fell from her face, opened his door and then slammed it.
"Yes," she answered quietly, before exiting the car.

Following in Phoenix’s direction she caught up to the two slapping each other on the back and holding the doors open for her.
"Thanks," she said without turning back as she headed straight for her desk.
"Oh, what are you doing here?" surprised to see Kelly behind her desk.
An embarrassed Kelly blushed and said, "I got my appointment date wrong. It’s for tomorrow."

"Right…" Georgia scoffed. "Let’s get back to work."
"How was the ride back?"
"Ok," she replied noncommittally and went back to updating Ranger’s contact address book.
Growing serious concern for her new employee she asked, "Georgie, are you ok? Are you uncomfortable working with Phoenix?"
Georgia shook her head and replied, "No, I’m ok Kel. Don’t worry about me."
"Is he really a friend of yours? Or is he a stalker?"
Georgia laughed at this, "He’s one of my closest friends Kel."
"Why do I not feel it’s quite true? Why did you move away so far from home without telling your closest friend where you were working and living?"
"I don’t know Kel… I really don’t."

"Oh Georgie," Kelly gave a concerned sigh.
Georgia ducked in front of her monitor to wiped away the tears that threatened to escaped as Kel turned to leave for the day.
"Home time, girl. Get some rest."
"Thanks Kel."

A little while later, she heard footsteps coming towards her and she looked up and smiled.
"Forget something, Phoenix?"
He walked over to her desk. "Yeah, you."
"Go home, Phoenix. I’m good. I have my own car."
"Come over for dinner."
"Naw, I’m good."
"Please, Gi?"
"Give me your address, I’ll be over around 8. That ok?"
"It’ll have to be, huh?"
She shrugged, her heart breaking as the sadness in his voice echoed in her ears with that question. Why was she treating him like this? Getting a grip, she lifted her head back to look at him as he reached out to give her his address.
"Thanks. I’ll be over as soon as I can, ok? Did you want me to bring anything?"
"I’m not sure."
"How about we just go out for dinner then? I know a couple places."
"What’s your address? I’ll pick you up."
She jotted the address down and gave it to him.
Smiling, he said he’d be over at 8 in the evening then turned to leave.
This is how it should be, he thought.
He missed her smile.