Page 40 of George’s Big Day

“Yeah, fine, I just need to find Kurt and⁠—”

“He’s with my father.”

I shook my head. “I was with your father and⁠—”

“No, with my pa,” she apprised me. “Kurt looked upset, and I know what to do when people are upset.”

“And what is that?”

She shrugged. “Take them to my pa.”

I had no response to that.

“Come on.”

Walking beside her, I saw men I knew, friends, some of Kurt’s and some of mine, wave at me, but more importantly, I noticed how they looked at Hannah. I didn’t love it. Couldn’t they tell she was a kid?

“Why do you always wear those?”

“Wear what?”

“The four-inch heels.”

“I wear just as many flats, but when I’m in front of people, at a meeting, at a fundraiser, doing anything where I need to be on,” she said, emphasizing the word, “I like to feel super confident, and being taller helps.”

“This is not a big wedding. Why would you need to be on?”

“Because this is a huge deal. You included me, and I’ll be standing there with Mr. Mancuso and Ian, and those are people you love and⁠—”

“Love is laying it on a bit thick. I do not love Ian Doyle.”

She squinted at me. “No?”

“Absolutely not,” I snapped at her.

“What about Mr. Mancuso?”

“Hell no. Why would you think I did?”

“Because of all the people in the world, you chose him and Ian and me, and I know you love me, so⁠—”

“I do not love⁠—”

“Don’t you say it because I know you’re lying and you’ll hurt my feelings.”

God.

“And don’t groan like you’re dying either.”

“For the love of⁠—”

“It’s important to me. Since you bestowed this honor on me, I wanted to make sure I looked amazing.”

In her suit, that according to Jing was something special, she did, in fact, look beautiful. She was elegant, and I appreciated her making that effort for me even if the shoes were ridiculous.

“Well, you look beautiful, so thank you.”

She beamed, then stopped and opened the door to this room overlooking the forest, which now resembled a fall postcard. Inside, it was done in warm shades of brown and ivory. There were several throws, thick rugs on hardwood floors, and various-sized embroidered cushions. I liked the window seat on one end and the fireplace roaring away on the other. The carved-wood furniture, the built-in bookcases, and an oversize tufted ottoman made the room feel so comfortable, I wanted to take a nap right then and there. Kurt must have had a similar feeling, as he was lying on one of the couches, throw pillow behind his head, while Jory Harcourt sat on the other end. Jill Mancuso and Noah Wheeler sat together in matching chairs with ottomans across from them.