Page 34 of Grasp The Moment

Thinking over her words, I follow behind her as she makes her way to the kitchen island, taking a seat next to Delilah. I watch as she cares for my daughter, cleaning a bit of green sauce off of her face.

“I have a course at ten too. I’ll pick you up after class.”

Georgia looks up from her plate and grins. “Sounds good to me, go get ‘em, tiger.”

I think about Georgia’s words all day, the way she helped Delilah when I couldn’t, and even helped to pack lunch for her. The whole thing was way more domestic than I’m used to. I’m used to having some help with Deli in the evening. But to wake up to someone caring for my daughter and wanting to help me is a completely different story.

Hell, I wanted to care for Georgia as well, and I don’t know what that says about me.

Standing outside of the arts building, I watch my surroundings as I wait for Georgia to get done with her class. My lecture ended early today, so as soon as I finished, I hauled ass from the hospitality building across campus to the arts building.

Checking my watch, I note that her class could end at any minute when a familiar smell catches my attention.

Lavender and patchouli.

Frowning, my eyes catch on the dancer entering the building. She has her back turned, but the sight of her fiery red curls in a sleek bun grasps my attention.

“Rosemary?” I whisper aloud and immediately wish I hadn’t.

Rosemary still lives in Texas, for crying out loud. There’s no need to bring her up when she’s a thousand miles away.

Just as the thought of her being in Texas hits my brain, I catch a whiff of mandarin and bergamot, and my body relaxes. Georgia looks a bit tired, but still gorgeous.

“I need to seriously learn how to record my lectures,” she starts with a huff.

“What happened in class?” I muse, massaging her shoulders like a boxing coach as she chuckles.

“Whatdidn’thappen is what you should be asking; today drained me.” She groans, running a hand through her hair as I smile.

Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, I say, “Whatdidn’thappen today?”

She pauses momentarily. “I didn’t get proposed to by Eren Marlowe in the middle of class, that’s what!”

Pretending to be hurt, I put a hand to my chest. “What am I, chopped liver?”

She rolls her eyes, swatting at my chest.

“You’re hot, Cougar Magnet. I’ll give you that, but you’re not Eren Marlowe.”

14.Georgia

Groaningfor what feels like the eightieth time, I check my sketch—again. This single piece has taken me over three days to sketch and double the time to put together. First, my measurements were off, and now the material doesn’t look like the sketch.

Cursing when I prick my finger, I take a step away from the piece and frown.

“Maybe if I alter the right sleeve, I could manipulate the material to get it to work for me… Yeah, that’s perfect,” I say as I pace the expanse of the living room. It’s been three days since I moved in with Derek. Tonight, Deli has practice, but since Derek’s mom took her, she’s also bringing her back home.

I left Derek to his own vices in the kitchen earlier. It’s been two hours since we got back to his place, and I’ve been working on this piece ever since.

“Shit, I need this all done by the time the spring fashion show rolls around…” I curse under my breath, my legs moving on their own accord. Twelve of my designs from previous years will be featured in the show.

My problem? Getting this year's line together.

My goal is to make the clothes whimsical with pastel colors and tulle, but right now? My clothes look like a unicorn threw up a rainbow…

“Fuck, and then I need models…” I curse under my breath, chewing on my thumbnail as I look at my mannequin.

“Did you eat today?” Derek asks from the kitchen, his voice giving me a momentary pause before I look back down at all the work that I have cut out for me.