Two Lives, One Friendship, No Regrets - xv. FINAL

Georgia fretted over what to wear. She didn't know whether she should stick to jeans and t-shirt or change into something more dressy. Never had she had this problem before, so she had to calm herself and remember that she was choosing tonight's restaurant so she should know what would be appropriate for dinner.

She opted with staying in her work clothes. As much as she wanted to change out of the clothing, it was the safest route. Not that he'd care or anything.

You're over thinking things, she scolded herself.

She really needed to take a chill pill. It's just dinner. Just. Dinner.

The door bell rang.

A gasp unconsciously escaped her lips.

Ding dong.

Walking over to the door, she prepared herself and tried to calm her heartbeat that was working double time.

Opening the door she smiled to find that they had both reached out to embrace each other. I could get used to this, she thought. She felt to safe each time he had brought her into a bear hug. Shaking herself out of the reverie she welcomed him into her new home.

Stepping inside long enough for her to get ready with her outer wear, he scoped out her place from the foyer with a crane of his neck. He found that it was more accommodating than his one room rental. His life, when he got home each night so far was drab.

"Ready?" he asked as she stood wearing exactly what she had worn during lunch.
"Yup!"
"Where are we going?"
"Do you want me to drive, instead?"
"No..."
"Come on... you look pretty tired."
"I am," he said wearily.
"You've just started at this company and they've got you working just as hard?"
"Naw... I think my lack of sleep is catching up to me."
"We can always eat in, you know?" she offered.
"Do you have something prepared already?"
"No, but I can make a quick casserole. Won't be gourmet or anything, but it'll fill our tummy's just as good."
"I'm up for that if you don't mind."
"No," she shook her head, "not at all."
They took off their outer wear and she showed him to her little living room and told him to make himself comfy while she got dinner ready. A pro-star at quick fix dinners she really did have everything done in no time. About forty-five minutes later they were fed and relaxed in front of the television watching reruns of a childhood movie.
She looked over at him. Poor guy, she thought. His eyes were half closed as he tried to focus on the movie. His arm was draped across the back of the sofa and his feet propped up on her coffee table.
"Nix," she whispered.
"Yeah?"
"If you're sleepy go ahead and rest."
She made the move to get up, but that was draped across the sofa caught her hip.
"Stay, please."
Lifting the nearest pillow she smiled and threw it in his face and told him she was just going to get some drinks and change the dvd.
This is what she missed. Having him close to her without all this unnecessary drama. How long will they be able to fend off the things that needed to be said?

Upon her return she brought in two glasses of water, placed it on the coffee table and cued a new movie. While removing the blanket from her underarm, she felt his two hands grab her hips and bring her down.
"Gotcha," he said as he shifted her in a more comfortable position with her back to his chest. She laughed as her inner butterflies flew blindly around her tummy.
"Nix..." she started.
"Shh...my favorite part of the movie is coming up," he said as the intro to the movie You've Got Mail played.
"Whatever! Since when did you like this movie?"
"I've always liked it. We always watch this."
"That's because it's my favorite."
"Why are you always being so selfish?" He muttered in her hair.
"Huh?" She scoffed and twisted in his arms to look up at him, "What do you mean by that?!"
In the background the bubbly song began.
"When you left me without telling me where you'd be."
"I told you I was leaving."
"But why did you have to leave? What's the difference between here and there?"
"Why did you leave?"
"There you go again..."
He could feel her whole body tensing up and she looked away from him in frustration. Not wanting her to move away from his arms, she held her gently.
"You really want to know why I'm here? With you? Like this?"
She couldn't take this. How did such a great evening turn so dramatic? She wondered.
She twisted to face him again, "Let's just forget it, ok? Forget I asked-"
"No, I'm done with pretending. I'm done with half expressions, Gi," he replied with a mixture of frustration and sadness on his face.
Her face showed awed confusion.
"What are you talking about, Phoenix?"
"You wanna know why I'm here, right? I'm here because my friend- hell- my best friend moved a million miles away without returning any calls, or leaving her address behind... That's why I'm here."
"You could have just asked your little sister," she teased, trying to make light of the conversation that was happening.
"I'm serious. Why were you avoiding me?" he asked sincerely, and edged in, "And I want a real answer now. No stalling."
She cleared her throat, with nowhere to run now she was forced to face him; literally.
He held her firmly in the circle of his arms, now face to face. She may feel awkward, but there was no way he would let her go as she lay half splayed on his chest and the rest of her beside him on the sofa.
"I had to," was all that came out of her mouth.
"Why?" he gently asked - still staring at the top of her head. She was talking to the third button on his shirt.
"Because..."
The deep groan that came from somewhere in his chest startled Georgia into a rant.
"Because I was confused. All these years... do you realize how hard it was to keep everything I felt segregated? How hard it is for someone to maintain a well-balanced friendship when you find something deeper there but the other doesn't feel the same? There is no balance there, Nix. I couldn't take it anymore and I had to go because I realized I couldn't stuff these feelings back into the little hole I dug them into before." Her cheeks colored as she tore her eyes away from his with humiliation.
"And so you decided to leave me," he said softly.
"And you have the nerve to call me selfish?"
"Was that not selfish?"

Her eyes teared with confusion, embarrassment and sadness as she slapped his hands repeatedly to get him to release her. It didn't work, he held on tighter not wanting to let go. It was all surreal.

All this time? He thought to himself.

"Stop, Gi," he tried to calm her. "Gi, stop!"
Frustrated tear drops fell now. She didn't care what she looked like.
She raised her voice cracking, "You'll never see things my way, so why can't we just forget all of this? Go home, Phoenix."
He held her face in his hands and gently said, "We are not done here Georgia Raine. I called you selfish for a very good reason." She tried to speak but he hushed her.
"You knew you loved me, but never gave me half a hint. All these years?"
His face turned smug as she began to blush furiously.

Oh, if they had an audience they'd think we were mad, she thought. A flurry of emotions were shared between them; one moment good, one moment bad.

"I am not selfish," she quietly defended herself.
"Yes you are. You even denied yourself happiness."
I did that for you moron, she exclaimed inwardly.

Sighing in defeat, she rested her tired head on his chest hoping to wake up from this dream. She didn't want to fight anymore. She just wanted to stay wrapped up in his arms forever.

A sudden panic crossed her mind as she realized she didn't deny it when he said she loved him. No, why would she? It was true.

"Are we good now?" his voice interrupted her inner monologue.
She just smiled up at him and hugged him tighter.
"I take that as a yes."
"Mmm..." she sighed and felt his kiss touch her forehead.
"Can I tell you one thing? For the record?" he asked mischievously.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, she began to exclaim, "I am NOT self-"
"I love you," he whispered.

Gasp. Jaw drop. Is he serious?!

She let a moment for the news to settle in before saying, "I do too."

He took this opportunity to shift the still stunned Georgia, so that they were both lying on the sofa side by side, with her neck resting in the crook of his arm.

"I obviously can't live without you, you know? Why else would I move all the way here?"
Still flabbergasted, she could only stare up into his eyes. Their eyes tangled, as he smiled down at her so lovingly before swooping down for their first kiss. Slow, soft and gentle.

Gazing out the window, the twinkle of a star caught her eye.

She squeezed her eyes shut and thanked the star for her wish had finally come true.