“Fuck off. That’s not what I mean. You’re part of the family, but when you finally find yourself a partner, she’s not going to want to come back to your tiny single bed to get it on.”
Relief filled him. Matt rolled his eyes, shaking his head, but froze when it was Georgie he pictured. Shit. He turned away in case his thoughts were somehow clear to Darcy and cleared his throat. “So to be clear, you’re not trying to get rid of me because the station is struggling and you want your privacy?”
“No. Hell, if the station was doing well, I’d say build your own house here like I’m planning to.”
Wow. It wasn’t something he’d ever considered, but he liked the idea. Matt smiled. “OK, thanks.”
“But I meant what I said,” Darcy insisted. “If you want to find a new job, don’t feel like you have to stay.”
Matt shook his head. “Stop talking shit. Now, what else needs to be done?”
Darcy chuckled. “One more thing. Do you know what’s up with Georgie?”
Matt stiffened. “What do you mean?”
“She hasn’t been around lately, and I know you two sometimes talk.”
No way was he telling Darcy the real reason. He hesitated. Was he betraying her trust by telling Darcy about their talk the other night? It was better than telling him the truth. “The night she found the journal she was upset. She was missing Charlie and your parents and blaming herself for their deaths.”
Darcy put down his spanner and gave Matt his full attention. “What?”
Matt shrugged. “Seems she cursed Charlie for the spider thing and a few days later he died. Then she told that guy from Stonefish that Bill and Beth were going on the tour. She thinks if she’d kept her mouth shut, they’d still be alive.”
“That’s bullshit.” He sighed. “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll talk to her.”
“No problem.” Matt went back to work, ignoring the guilt in his gut.
It was the best for Georgie.
***
Georgie dumped her car keys on the bench and ran a hand through her hair, sighing as she did so. The passengers today had been next level annoying and she was sick of people. First step was a shower, then she’d climb into her pyjamas and binge watch her favourite series on TV. Less than a week to go. With the help of Gretchen, she’d found her replacement, and wouldn’t be leaving Jimmy in the lurch.
As she headed for the shower, someone knocked on the door. She stopped, growling. What now? Should she ignore it?
Tempting as it was, she didn’t get a lot of visitors.
Unless it was Jerry. She couldnotdeal with him today. He’d called her a couple of times since the girls’ night and wouldn’t get the hint she wasn’t interested.
“Georgie, are you home?”
She frowned as goosebumps rose to her skin and she hurried to the door, flinging it open for Brandon. “Is something wrong? What are you doing in town?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I had to get a few things and thought I’d drop in.”
“You never have before.”
“I’m not usually in town at this time.” He walked in, causing her to step back and give him room.
She scowled as she shut the door. “Make yourself at home.”
“Thanks.” He headed for her small kitchen and poured himself a glass of water.
What was going on? Though she was thrilled Brandon was back in the Bay and part of the family again, he never just dropped in, particularly not without Amy. “Where’s Ames?”
“Back at the Ridge. She had a late check in.” He pulled out a chair and sat. “How was your day?”
She was still salty and wearing her tour boat polo shirt. “Shit. The passengers were a little crazy.” Giving in to whatever this was, she poured herself a glass of wine, offering him one. He shook his head and she sat at her small table next to him.
