“I thought you said this thing wasn’t fancy,” I remind Evie.

“It’s not fancy,” she says, her voice getting defensive. “But there’s also no reason to look homeless.”

“When have I ever looked homeless?”

“I’m just saying, sometimes Lior mixes up anything with the word casual in it for I don’t give a fuck.” I laugh at her explanation, knowing very well that when he isn’t in work attire, he’s striving for the beach bum look. “And I want to make sure you don’t suffer from the same dress code issues. It’s pressed pants and a button-up shirt. No tie. No jacket.”

“Got it, Mom. Any other issues you think I may have that you need to school me about?”

“Just be on time. Please.”

“Of course. It’s important to you, so I’ll be there,” I reassure her.

“Are you and Court meeting up somewhere else first? She is coming, isn’t she? Like with you?”  she questions.

“Evie,” I say sternly. “You’re rambling. What is it?”

She sighs, and it comes through loudly over the speakerphone. “I’m being silly. I’m just nervous about the speech they want me to do. It’s more than I’m used to sharing about myself. Especially to a bunch of strangers.”

“Well, the three of us will be there, and you can just focus on us.” I do my best to comfort her. I know how hard it is for her to rehash it all, but I also know her story will resonate deeply with so many people, opening her old wounds will be worth it.

“Three of you. So you’re coming with Court together?” she asks skeptically.

“Wasn’t I just trying to offer you advice, how did we get to this? Do you know something I don’t know?” I probe. “Because you keep reiterating us together like I’m missing something.”

“Obviously I know about what went down on the way home from your mom’s.”

“I guess she shared all the feelings she kept from me with you?”

“It was brief,” she says and I know she’s downplaying it to salvage my feelings.

“Right. Well to answer your question,” I say abruptly, “Court and I will be arriving there together.”

“Good. I’m glad. I really want you two to get past the hurdles.”

“I think we’re almost there,” I say with more confidence than I’ve felt in a while. “She seems more present, if that makes sense?” Something has changed lately. I obviously can’t pinpoint what it is exactly, but for the first time in a long time, we’re less tense, and the progress in our relationship feels more of a priority. “Whatever, it doesn’t matter,” I try and brush it off with Evie. “I don’t want to do the girlfriends talking about feelings things with you. I would like to hold onto my balls a little bit longer if you don’t mind.”

“Yuck, nobody wants to hear about your balls.” I hear some shuffling on the other end and Lior’s voice booms through.

“Why you talking about your balls with Evie?” he says in a mock serious tone.

“Tell her to give up the counseling game every time she speaks to me. She catches me off guard and before I know it, it’s an unexpected one on one session.”

“Yeah, what can I say? My girl’s got game.” His voice is filled with the usual warmth he reserves for Evie.

“Seriously, you two make me sick.” He chuckles enjoying my obvious discomfort. “I gotta go now anyway, tell Evie thanks for the chat and I’ll see you all on Saturday night.”

“Don’t be late,” he says repeating Evie’s earlier concerns. “It’s important to her.”

“I know. I’ll be there. Bye.”

He hangs up without another word, and I pick up my cell to call Court to figure out the details for the weekend; productivity at work today is at an all-time high.

* * *

“I’m just about to hop in the shower and I’ll be at your place in a little over an hour, will you be ready?” I ask Court. I have spoken to her almost every hour on the hour as she sends herself into a mini panic attack over what to wear and how much makeup is too much for a smart casual type of night. I’ve switched off by this point, and my only concern is not being late. If we are, Lior is going to kick my ass.

“Yes. My hair and makeup is done, and I’ll just slip my dress on before you get here. Do you think we can grab some McDonald’s on the way?”

“There will be food there,” I tell her.

“I just need a quick pick me up so I don’t end up like the people on the Snickers commercial.” I laugh at how accurate her depiction of herself when hungry.

“If you’re ready as soon as I get there, I don’t see why we can’t fit it in.”

“Yes,” she says excitedly. “I’m going to go and get ready. Talk soon.”

“Sounds good.”

I walk to her front porch, reminiscing on what went down the last time I showed up here. I’ve avoided it for the longest time, but in the last few weeks, she’s pushed to have me pick her up and drop her off here whenever our plans require it. She’s even pressed that I come to the door instead of waiting in the car, but I haven’t felt ready to take it there yet. Something about standing there and not being able to go inside doesn’t sit right. Until now.

I knock on the door, and an older gentleman unexpectedly answers.

“You must be Elliot,” he says with familiarity I don’t return. “Do you want to come in?” I try not to let the little voice in my head questioning why she can easily tell someone about me and not return the same courtesy, ruin the night.

“Hi. No. We’re on a tight schedule,” I stammer. “If you could just let Courtney know I’m here.”

“Yes, of course.” He walks off into the house and I nervously await her arrival. I hear her voice before I see her. “I’m coming. I’m coming. Are we on time, can we get nuggets?” she blurts out in a hurry.   

I move my hands from behind my back and produce a little brown paper bag with the world famous M displayed proudly on it. “I hope this is okay. We would’ve had to backtrack to get to them. I didn’t want to be late and I didn’t want you to miss out.”

Her green eyes twinkle and her smile, directed at me, lights up the night.

Reaching for the bag, she opens it and pulls out the little tub of barbecue sauce. “You even remembered the sauce,” she squeals with excitement. “Elliot Ramzy, I could marry you right now.” She delicately walks down the walkway in her black strappy heels, and I can’t help but stare at her. Noticing I’m not behind her, she looks up and turns to me. “Are you coming loverboy? We got to go.” I’m stunned into silence. Letting her indirect confessions wash over me as I come to terms with the fact, that no matter what the future holds for us, it’s only ever going to be her. My heart will forever belong to Courtney Hart; the only woman who has the power to hurt and heal me in the same breath.

I follow her steps and get into the car. “You took your ti—” she looks at me and stops mid-sentence, “why are you looking at me like that?”

“Like what?” I say innocently.

“You’re being weird, and we’re going to be late.”

“Okay, I just have one thing to do before we go.”

“Well, hurry up. You were all don’t be late, Court, blah blah b-” Surprising her with a kiss, I cut her words off and take her breath away. I tell her the only way I know she’ll listen. Licking the seam of her lips, my tongue waits for her to open up for me. It takes a second for her body and mind to be on the same page. For her to melt into my kiss.

“What was that for?” she asks, with shortened breath.

“Some things just can’t wait.”

And just like that, her eyes change from confusion to clarity. “You’re right. Some things can’t.”