Page 82 of Forever Flirting

“Your grandmother is feisty, but if she can’t back it up, she mutters loudly enough for support from nearby people… but she can take Pearl if the woman tries to talk back.”

“Are you…encouragingthis?”

“Nope, picking my battles,” Everly said quietly, scanning her cards, and then pointed at his card. “They called B-4. You need to mark your card, sweetie…”

Alex sat back, reeling, and couldn’t help the smile that touched his lips.

“You called me ‘sweetie’…”

“Because you are,” she said simply – and reached over to daub his card. “There, I’ve got you. If you want to just sit there and look pretty, swing your cards around, and I’ll watch them.”

Alex stared for a minute – and then cracked up laughing at the realization that Everly was a lot more like his grandmother in personality than he ever realized.

She had just told him to ‘sit there and look pretty’?

“I’m gonna get a Coke,” Alex chuckled, swinging his cards around and moving around the table to kiss her on the cheek, testing the term of endearment on his lips. “I love you… sweetie.”

“Love you too… and BINGO!” Everly hollered, as Nana hopped up.

“SEE? Ya’ knucklehead?! That’s how you do it – my new granddaughter-in-law’s got the jackpot, and you just keep to yourself, woman…” his Nana was mouthing openly, as the people in the bingo hall started grumbling. “Alex, honey, can you get me a Coke, too?”

“Sure thing, Nana…”

“Could I have a coffee, sweetheart?”

“You got it, my love,” he smiled, looking at the two women that meant the world to him, both looking at him, smiling proudly and getting along.

CHAPTER21

EVERLY

Killian’s emailthis afternoon meant the world to her – and she took a few minutes alone in her office to compose herself as the last of her patients arrived today.

* * *

Dear Runt,

I can honestly say that I am not surprised you and Maestro are tying the knot. The guy is absolutely crazy about you, and while he doesn’t talk much – when he does speak, it’s always ‘Everly this…’ or ‘Everly that…’

… And while I never want to sway your decision?

I couldn’t ask for a better person to look out for my sister. Maestro is a good man – and I can’t wait to see the two of you together.

Maybe we should start looking at the calendar for either Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas together? I’m actually planning a trip back in a month, but for a different reason – we’ll talk more when I get there.

I love you, Runt – and just want you happy… always.

Killian

P.S. – can you do me a favor? Tell Mallory that Paradox loves his cookies ‘fat and weird’. She will know what I’m talking about, because it’s actually a thing. I looked it up myself. That man is goofy and a freak, I tell ya… so yeah, stick with Maestro – please.

* * *

It madeher feel so good to have her brother’s support, and to know that his perception was that Alex was in love with her. If he acted different or strangely around his friends, it might make her wonder or hesitate - but this was just reaffirming what she already felt and knew deep within her… and Killian’s approval meant the world.

She and her brother had always been close growing up – but since the sale of the house, it was like they relied on each other a little more when the other felt like they needed help.

Smoothing her pale pink dress that she dug out of the closet from where it had been dry-cleaned last year after one of her nurses had gotten married, it was perfect to wear to the courthouse.

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