Page 316 of Romeo

Cameron gave an exaggerated sigh from beside King. “Jesus, Carebear. She wants to marry him.”

Georgie rounded on him. “Stay out of this.”

“You’re the one objecting to something that’s already happening.”

“Cameron,” King warned.

Cameron looked up at him. “What? You know I’m right.”

King’s mouth tightened suspiciously, and I couldn’t tell whether he was trying not to laugh or trying to decide how much trouble Cameron was in.

Frank, apparently deciding his little buddy had already made the point well enough, looked at Georgie. “Let it go.”

Georgie stared at his brother as if Frank had suggested surrendering national security secrets. “She’s getting married.”

“Yes.”

“To him.”

Jasper turned his head. “Standin’ right here, brother.”

“You’re not my fucking brother.”

“Give it time.”

“Romeo,” King growled.

Jasper’s mouth closed.

Cameron looked up at his father with a smug little smile that said this entire situation was proving something he had been telling the adults for years.

I had to bite the inside of my cheek.

Frank leaned closer to Georgie, speaking quietly enough that I couldn’t hear every word, but I didn’t need to. I was eighteen. I had made my choice. Jasper wasn’t forcing me into anything. Georgie could hate the timing and still understand that none of his objections changed the answer I had already given.

Josie slid her hand into his.

Georgie still looked miserable.

But he stopped arguing.

C.C. moved over to Jasper and punched him in the arm. “I’m still pissed at you.”

“I gathered.”

“You owe me.”

“Apparently everybody in this room is keepin’ a tab.”

“Mine has interest.”

“That sounds illegal.”

She smiled sweetly. “Family rates.”

Jasper rubbed his arm and looked toward me.

For a second, the people around us blurred at the edges. His smile was small, almost questioning now that my family was here and the moment no longer belonged only to us.