There was something wholly different about Georgina today, he noted as he scribbled on his logbook with Georgina seated across him on the long library table. It was subtle but Aaron knew the change was present.
He just couldn't quite put a finger on what the change was.
And he also didn't want to pry if it wasn't any of his business. But still, he was curious.
Anyhow, he figured Georgina would tell him in due time if she ever wanted to. Her personal life wasn't something to be prodded into and he wanted to show her he respected her privacy and boundaries.
Her smile unsettled him, though. It wasn't the usual mischievous smiles or the warm ones she gave him when they conversed and he said something which pleased her. No, this smile was giddy and dreamy. He didn't want to think too much but it could be a man who made her this way.
"Lance I met a guy," she said, breaking his inner monologue.
Ah… so he was right after all.
He smiled in congratulations toward her.
"Do tell me more. What was the fellow like?"
Georgina's smile widened and she sighed happily as she rested an elbow on the desk. "Man oh man Lance he saved me from a bus and I was instantly attracted," she gushed. "He wasn't the hot or cute type but he's good-looking and super dreamy."
This must be the first time Aaron has seen her star-struck. She must really have her sight on this man, didn't she?
"I'm happy for you George," he said sincerely. "I truly am. I hope whatever is happening, you strive and succeed."
"Aww thanks Lance it means a lot to me."
She was blushing and once again, Aaron admitted to himself the color looked good on her.
"So when are you meeting again?"
She shrugged. "Dunno. But I did give him my digits."
"Your what?" he asked cluelessly.
There was a fond look in Georgina's eyes as she laughed shortly and clarified, "My number. It's a kinda slang, y'know."
Oh…
As if on cue one of her stolen phones blasted with 'Hey Soul Sister' and Georgina jumped from her seat with a hasty goodbye as she went outside to answer the call. Aaron chuckled at her antics and was about to start on reviewing the catalogue when he sensed a third presence behind him. He turned and nearly jolted out of his own skin at seeing his niece stand there with her arms crossed and a frown on her young face.
"Donna please say something instead of waiting for me to acknowledge you," he admonished as the girl took a seat beside him. "Since when have you been there anyway?"
"Long enough to hear G met a guy."
"Oh then it means I don't have to tell you about it."
"Yeah but I don't approve."
"It's not your decision to make so don't go telling George what to do and what not to do." He still sensed her frown directed at him so he chanced a look at her. "Why are you frowning?"
"Uncle why didn't cha sweep her off her feet?" she whined loudly, stomping her flats on the library's polished floor. Aaron internally cringed at the noise. "If you made a move sooner then this wouldn't happen!"
"What on earth are you talking about?" Aaron asked incredulously, staring at her intently. "What do you mean 'sweep her off her feet'?"
"Gosh Uncle don't play like that," Donna said with an eyeroll. "I still think you and G would make a good match."
With a slight laugh Aaron said, "Oh Donna not this again. Now be a dear and get me my favorite pen, won't you?"
Donna narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at him. "Don't think this conversation is over just 'cause I left. I'll still be talking your ear off about this."
Aaron rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, "Oh I can't wait. Now really, I need that pen please."
Donna pouted and got out of her seat with dramatic flair, stomping over to the counter. Aaron watched her back and chuckled again, shaking his head. Kids… he really did appreciate her sentiments but he just didn't see Georgina that way. And besides, she already had her attention on another man so why bother trying to 'sweep her off her feet' as Donna so eloquently put it?
He liked her but his feelings for Georgina were platonic—that of friends.
Why fuss over things needing not much attention? He couldn't understand.
~~
Currently he was at lunch with Veronica as Connor had work and Georgina was out job-hunting. During her time in prison, Georgina had honed her writing skills and she eagerly showed Aaron her works, which he approved of and encouraged her to try looking for a job requiring creative writing. Her stories were short but they were full of emotion and suspense and Aaron wholeheartedly supported her in her talent.
Veronica set down her fork, crumbs on the corner of her mouth. He gestured to them and she took the napkin, wiping her mouth with a clean swipe.
"Did Gina tell you about the guy she met?"
"Yes," he answered after swallowing. "I met him too not too long ago. Georgina introduced him to me when he picked her up for a date. Why?"
A slight frown marred the woman's lips as her gaze went to the side. She met his eye again and straightened in her seat.
"I met him too and I don't like him." Aaron's brows jumped in surprise. Veronica not liking someone? It was almost unheard of. "Connor also doesn't like him and refuses to talk to Robert when they're in the same vicinity."
"Then this led to Georgina and Connor fighting over it?" inferred Aaron, earning a sad nod from his companion. He sighed. "It's clear to me Georgina likes the fellow; he's good-looking too if I have to admit."
Veronica laughed slightly but said, "But what about Robert? He seems nice; too nice. I don't know if I'm being paranoid or what but I've got a bad feeling about this."
Aaron reached over the table to pat her hand in comfort.
"Trust George on this, V. She's smitten with the man and if she's happy then I don't want to take away that happiness from her. You know how she harbors ill will towards those who stand in her way. Are we really going to let a man destroy our relationship with her?"
Veronica blinked her eyes at him and smiled thoughtfully. She slipped her hand from his hold to do the same thing to his hand, patting it twice.
"You're right. I shouldn't overreact just because of this."
Aaron was about to smile back at her when he caught sight of a familiar figure, recognizing the black hair and signature cap from Robert.
He was about to wave when two other women followed, giggling and flanking Robert on both sides. Aaron's jaw dropped as Robert casually slung both arms around them, laughing and winking flirtatiously at them.
Pointing a shaking finger toward the trio he said, "It—it's him."
Veronica hummed in question then turned backward in her seat, facing front almost immediately and visibly fuming, brows knitted and fists clenched.
"Argh I was so right to be wary!" she said in a low voice. "Why I ought to—"
She stood from her seat, the chair noisily scraping against the ground and causing a few customers eating to turn to them in either annoyance or curiosity. Aaron scrambled hurriedly out of his own chair to snatch Veronica's wrist, oddly reminded of Georgina at how she thrashed in his hold.
Veronica turned back to him, hair flying about. In a millisecond she resembled her best friend and it took him by surprise.
"Let's not cause a scene in here, V," he placated, going to her side to drag her out of the restaurant. "It's not worth it and it's none of our business."
"Oh he is our business; let me have a word with him," hissed Veronica, struggling to get out of Aaron's hold.
He didn't budge and led her toward the exit, trying not to be seen by Robert. But he caught a snippet of conversation on the way out.
"Are you single?" one of the women asked. Veronica's hand rose to slap at her but Aaron held it firmly to stop her from lashing out.
Robert chuckled and shook his head. "I'm single and ready to mingle."
What?!
"But what about that girl always in the library? You know, the one with glasses?" questioned the other girl.
Robert scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"She's nothing. She's just a fling. You ladies are much more attractive than a bookworm."
The women giggled, obviously pleased. But Robert didn't get a chance to laugh as Aaron was suddenly in front of him, gripping the front of his shirt.
Robert blinked and smiled.
"Oh hey Aaron didn't see you there," he said, laughing nervously. "You wanna meet these gorgeous ladies?"
Aaron was calm on the outside but on the inside he was raging and wanted so badly to hurt this man in front of him. How could anyone refer to Georgina as just a fling? She was much more than that and this specie of a human being failed to see the bigger picture.
His lips were pursed thin and he almost couldn't speak because of the fury threatening to burst from him. He had never felt such intense emotions before. Was this how Georgina felt, acting on feelings and instinct rather than logic and sound reason? If it was, then he finally understood the thrill of letting your emotions loose and allowing them to guide you.
"Never approach Georgina again, you hear me?" Aaron growled in a low voice which surprised himself. "If you so much as stand three feet from her, I will make sure you suffer."
He let go of Robert's shirt, the other man smirking and smoothing down the front. Aaron scowled at him, fists shaking by his sides.
"What are you, her boyfriend?" The ladies laughed again and Aaron's posture stiffened. "Sorry bud, but I'm gonna fill that spot."
Aaron raised an elegant brow, his posture relaxing.
"And what is our relationship to you? Are you feeling nervous and insecure?" His face hardened again to show he was serious. "You should be."
Robert scoffed and rolled his eyes but it was obvious to Aaron he grew uncomfortable and skittish. The women quieted down and hung their heads, not wanting attention to be drawn to them.
"Why do you care what I think about that chick? There're others out there."
Aaron snarled at the words and nearly lashed out with violence if it weren't for all the heavy gazes on them, the customers watching them as if they were a part of a movie.
"Georgina is more than just a chick, as you so eloquently put it," he said evenly, struggling to keep in check. "If you paid more attention to her intelligence and inner beauty, you wouldn't just chase her for her chest and legs. Eat at a restaurant if you're hungry." He looked at the place as a whole. "Why, you've come to the right place. But don't you ever show yourself to Georgina, you understand?"
Aaron gave one last glare before he was grabbing at Veronica, careful so as to not hurt her even when he was still seething.
Neither of them noticed a bespectacled woman with curly brown hair nearby, blinking owlishly.