Page 56 of George’s Big Day

“Threw you?” Her eyes widened and she appeared concerned.

“I just thought it was odd.”

“Okay.” She placated me.

“Stop looking at me like I’m nuts. And who said you could throw flower petals around?”

“Kurt.”

“He’s a sap.”

“He is,” she agreed. “Now come over here and hug me.”

“No.”

“Do it now so I know you love me even when you don’t say it and won’t confess it even under torture.”

“You shouldn’t joke about torture with black ops guys.”

She crossed her arms.

“What? You shouldn’t.”

“Listen, you have to come see me next weekend on my birthday.”

“Is it your birthday?” I baited her. “How old will you be?”

Heavy, exasperated huff of air from her because we both knew I knew the date and that she was turning twenty-one. “Stop it right now before you make me cry.”

My groan was loud, but I realized that important people in my life should know where they stood with me. Ian had made sure I knew he wanted us to be closer. I was taking Kurt with me to the next poker night, for heaven’s sake. “I’m not walking to you. You come here.”

It was very telling how quickly she rushed across the room to me. Grabbing her, I crushed her to my chest and held her tight. Her sigh was nearly a whimper.

“I’m gonna say this one time and never again,” I informed her.

“Okay. I’m ready. Go ahead.”

I wanted to tell her not to make such a big deal about words. What did words mean? My actions should have told her everything she needed to know about me and her and my heart. “You know I love you, don’t be an idiot.”

“No,” she murmured, hugging me back just as hard. “I won’t. I’ll know forever now.”

After a moment I said, “don’t make this weird.”

“Too late,” she teased me.

Kurt was in his sister’s room, and when I knocked, I was surprised he was the one who opened the door.

“Wow,” he said, looking me up and down. “You’re gorgeous.”

“You just saw me,” I said, chuckling. “And way more of me than this.”

“I did, yes,” he granted, and pulled my rolled-up tie from the pocket of his suit jacket.

“Oh, thank you,” I said with a relieved sigh.

“You’re very welcome,” he husked, and I noted that he was still wearing what would be my wedding ring.

“I didn’t tell you earlier, but you’re beautiful,” I told him from the heart.