I turned in his embrace and let him kiss the living daylights out of me. Then taking a deep breath I said, “I got this. Let’s go back out and give my brother the farewell he deserves.”
“I told you before you’re the strongest woman I know and I meant it. You’re also the most beautiful, loving, and sweetest too.”
“Flatterer.” But I loved every word.
“I say it because it’s true. You are my world, Red.”
He kissed my neck, my cheek, and then my lips once again.
“I love you now and I will love youforever.”
Goosebumps took up every inch of my body and my heart pounded.
“That’s good because I love you too. You are my Mr. Knight.”
He burst out laughing. Not long ago I’d said that to him and then realized it sounded just like Mr. Right. Which was true too, but every time I said it now, we cracked up.
Lyric entwined my hand in his and pulled me toward the door so we could join all our friends and family who gathered outside for Jett’s going away party.
“If we don’t get outside soon our guests might not see us again tonight and we already did that to them once.”
“Later,” I whispered just as we walked out onto the porch.
“Oh, I definitely will have you later.”
I was looking forward to it.
* * *
The party had beenin full swing for a few hours.
We ate and played games. Jett, Lyric, his parents, and even Gyth and Kace had sung, as well as played guitar. It was like our own live concert right there in the backyard.
But I decided it was time for my double surprise.
Here goes nothing.
I remember saying those exact words to myself the night I walked into Lyric’s life.
“Hey everyone!” I yelled.
All eyes whipped to mine and I took a deep breath to settle my nerves.
“I just wanted to say a few things.”
With the attention all on me, my pulse raced but I could do this.
“It wasn’t so long ago that you were all here toasting Lyric and me on our special day. For that, I will be forever grateful. But it’s my turn to share my own toast. This one for my baby brother.”
Jett placed his hands dramatically on his chest and pretended to gasp. “I’m not a baby anymore if you haven’t noticed, Sis.”
Lyric’s sense of humor was rubbing off on him and I also definitely noticed. He had come so far after Lyric came into our lives. He was rarely moody. Lyric and Jett also went to the gym together and my brother was filling out his lanky form. It was crazy to see the transformation. He was upbeat, helpful, and that sweetest always behind the surface shined brighter all the time.
“You’ll always be my baby brother.” At those words, emotions clogged my throat and I had to stop for a second to get my bearings before continuing.
Jett didn’t argue with me that time, he gave me a loving look and nodded his head.
“For all of you that can drink, grab a glass of champagne, and please hold your glasses up for me. There is apple cider for those of you that can’t.” I waited for everyone to grab a glass and hurried on so nobody would question me for a moment and my drink of choice. That surprise was still coming.
