Chapter 20
Juliana
On the day of our engagement party, I am stressed beyond belief. I pick up my phone and call Kurt for the third time. He answers after the first ring and he doesn’t waste time with formalities.
“Stop worrying.” He says automatically and I sigh, feeling better just hearing his voice. “It will be fine. And no, it isn’t a dressy evening. I’m coming over now. I’ll be there in about ten minutes. Okay?” He always seems to know what to say so I nod, then realize he can’t see me.
“Yes, okay. You can come up when you get here.” He responds again telling me not to worry and that he’ll see me soon then he hangs up. I sit back on my bed and let out a breath.
After very little convincing, Tatyana agreed to come to the party for moral support. She and Mike had plans before the party so Tatyana is already out of the apartment, leaving me alone to freak out. Before she left though, she gave me a little “pep talk”. This “pep talk” mostly included her telling me that Kurt was cute and I should have a little fun. It wasn’t very helpful but her teasing made me feel a little more relaxed. But now, I was alone, sitting on my bed, my hair dripping wet from my shower and nothing on but a shower towel. And I was back to freaking out.
I get up off my bed and start pacing the room. After about two laps around the room, I remember how stupid this is. I don’t even like pacing, it has never helped me solve anything. Sighing, I go out to the living room, I go to the door and unlock it so Kurt can get in easily then I throw myself onto the couch. I grunt when I land then I reach for the remote, turning the TV on and trying to distract myself.
I’m flipping through channels when I hear a knock on my door. “Come in!” I yell and I hear the door open but I’m too lazy to look up. I should not have unlocked the door because the next thing I know, there are fingertips lightly trailing down my leg. I jerk away from them and jump up off the couch, knowing Kurt would not be that forward with me.
“Callum! What are you doing here? How did you get in?” I ask then realize how stupid I am. “Why are you here?” I step away from him, very aware of the fact that I am not wearing anything except my shower towel. I was so stressed and nervous for tonight that I decided not to get dressed before lounging, waiting for Kurt to help me decide what to wear.
“Just checking in on you, love.” He says, trying to sound innocent but he smirks as he rakes his eyes up and down my body. I take another step back and grab a blanket off the couch, wrapping it around myself.
“You need to leave,” I state firmly, my voice not wavering for a second. Hey, maybe I am getting stronger.
Callum just takes a step closer. “Why? You’re my girl. No one else would want you.” I’m more than a little offended by that comment and am about to respond when I hear another voice.
“Actually, that isn’t true. I want her. I asked her to marry me. And she said yes. So, she is no longer yours. And I agree with her when she says, you need to leave. Now,” Kurt says as he comes to stand by my side, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me against him. I’m surprised by his gutsy behavior but also very grateful for his timing.
Callum doesn’t say a word but he glares at both of us and at Kurt’s arm around my waist, then he turns around and stalks out of the apartment. Once the door slams shut behind him, I let out a breath of relief and sag against Kurt. His arm tightens around me.
“Are you okay? How long had he been here?” I laugh a little because he has picked up my habit of asking multiple questions without pausing to hear the answers or even breathe. “Why are you laughing? This is getting serious. This is the second time he has come into your apartment. Did he hurt you?” I can tell he is going to continue asking questions so I cut him off by pulling away from him.
“No, I’m fine. You got here just a minute or so after he did.” I refold the blanket and set it over the back of the couch. I look up and see Kurt staring at me. “What?”
“Sorry, you’re…you’re not dressed.”
“Oh, yes, sorry. I didn’t know what to wear and you said you were coming over so I decided to wait so you could help me.” I laugh, realizing how silly that sounds. “Sorry,” I apologize again. “I’ll go get ready.” I step back and look at his outfit choice. Dark jeans, a light blue, collared shirt, and of course, his cowboy boots. Cute. I have the perfect outfit to make us look like the perfect couple. I think about it again and decide against it. I don’t want to make it look like we are trying too hard.