CHAPTER 124: SETTING A COURSE

Georgia handed Nick’s shirt into his hands the moment he climbed down from the tree, her eyes flicking to the raw scratches on his back. Ella hadn’t been joking—her nails had left their claim.

"Put it on—quick! Before Wendy or Katie sees," she hissed in a rush, her cheeks already burning.

Ella burst out laughing, doubling over as Nick frowned, confusion shadowing his face. "Why? What’s wrong with my back?" he asked, twisting as if to catch a glimpse of the damage. His attempt only made Ella laugh harder.

Georgia leaned close, her voice dropping to a guilty whisper. "I... might have dug my nails in a little too hard last night."

Nick froze for a second before his lips curved into a slow, wicked smirk. "Oh, is that all?" His gaze burned into hers, teasing and unapologetic. "If it weren’t for Katie, I’d be proud to show it off."

Georgia’s face went hot as she slapped his arm, torn between mortification and the secret thrill his words stirred inside her.

Before she could retort, Wendy’s voice rang out from the porch, calling them back to reality. "Lunch is ready! Come in, you three!"

Nick tugged on his shirt, still grinning like the devil, while Ella’s knowing laughter trailed after them. Together, they headed inside.

"I’ll head out once we finish cleaning up the garden," Nick said, casually reaching for his glass. "I need to clean my penthouse, get things in order. My mom’s visiting tomorrow, and you know how moms are—they’ve got eyes sharper than a detective when it comes to cleaning inspections."

Ella chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, I know exactly what you mean. My mom was the same—always pointing out how my garden looked tidier than my house. To my defense, it was because I spent all my time outside. It’s my business, after all. Eventually, I hired a housekeeper three times a week just to keep her from nagging me to death. You might want to consider that, too."

Nick leaned back, a slow smile tugging at his lips. "I’ve thought about it," he admitted, then his tone dropped. "But I don’t like other people touching what’s mine. I’m possessive like that. So, I take care of it myself when I’m home... and make sure everything stays covered when I’m away."

His words seemed casual enough, but his eyes told another story. He wasn’t talking about penthouses or possessions anymore. His gaze locked on Georgia—hungry, intent, and unyielding. She remained oblivious, sweetly focused on helping Katie fill her plate, unaware of the storm gathering across the table.

Ella, however, caught it. She narrowed her eyes at Nick, watching the fire simmering between him and Georgia. ’He’s not talking about his home at all,’ she thought, biting back a sly grin. ’He’s talking about her.’

After lunch, Nick and Ella went back outside to finish the garden while Georgia stayed in the greenhouse. Wendy had insisted it was better that way since she believed that Georgia had been sick the night before, and the older woman wasn’t about to let her do any heavy lifting.

With Katie napping soundly, Wendy rolled up her sleeves to help, and between the four of them, the work wrapped up before darkness crept in.

The moment Nick left, the house fell quieter, almost too quiet. Georgia and Ella moved from room to room, dusting, wiping, and restoring order. There was something almost therapeutic about the rhythm, though Georgia’s thoughts kept drifting elsewhere.

"What’s your plan tomorrow?" Ella asked, breaking her silence as she ran a cloth over the mantle.

Georgia straightened, exhaling slowly. "I’ll catch up on emails and messages first thing. Then on Monday, I’ll visit the agency to check in with the operations manager. I need to see how things have been running while I was gone."

Ella groaned dramatically, tossing her rag onto the table. "Seriously? It’s Sunday, and you’re talking work? I was hoping you’d come shopping with me."

Georgia’s sigh came heavy, filled with exhaustion she couldn’t mask. Ella caught it instantly.

"As much as I’d love to, I can’t," Georgia admitted. "The budget’s tight. Raymond and his father might’ve wiped the company’s debt, but our cash flow’s barely enough to keep things afloat. I’ll be meeting with the finance manager soon to figure out how to stretch what we have."

Her eyes softened, a glimmer of determination pushing past the weariness. "But I’m positive things will start running smoothly now. At least now, without the acquisition hanging over us, we can finally focus on growth. I’ll be more hands-on than ever. The money will just flow within and will no longer be poured on paying debts."

"That’s good—slow and steady wins the race. And you know if you ever need help, I’m here," Ella said, brushing dust from her hands and flashing Georgia a sisterly smile. "I know business was never your passion, but if you’ve got questions, don’t hesitate. My company may be small, but trust me, I’ve learned a lot of lessons worth sharing."

Georgia’s lips curved into a genuine smile, her eyes softening. "I know, and that’s why I’m so grateful for you. You’ve always had my back. But I’ve been thinking... maybe it’s time I go back to school. Not in a classroom, but online. I saw this ad for a business course, and... I think I need to take things more seriously now."

Her voice carried a quiet conviction that made Ella pause mid-step. Georgia continued, her tone gaining momentum like a current pulling her forward. "I can’t just rely on the managers to carry everything for me. I need to learn how to steer the ship myself. I’m not aiming to expand—not yet—but I want to keep the company strong without drowning in debt again."

Ella’s grin widened, proud and a little mischievous. She threw an arm around Georgia’s shoulders and squeezed. "Now that’s the fire I’ve been waiting for. Do it, sissy. I’ll back you up all the way."

The words hit deep, sparking a stronger flame inside Georgia. Determination surged through her veins like a rush of adrenaline.

For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t just surviving—she was setting a course, steady and unshakable.