A/N: A heartfelt thank you to all my lovely readers for the 500 reviews, I'm truly grateful for the support.


Chapter Fifty-Three

"So, I'll see you tomorrow for the fitting?" Alicia reminds me of our appointment through the line.

"Of course, you may have some adjustments to do after the amount of food I consumed over Thanksgiving," I chuckle, hopeful that the specially designed dress will still fit me.

I'm supposed to appear last on our homemade runway this year, but the certainty that Gina will be on my side too, should make it a little less stressful.

"That's what I'm here for," she reassures me, sounding a lot more patient than I would be if I had a fashion show to throw in only four days.

"Do you need help with anything else?" I offer, feeling bad I haven't participated in the preparations that much so far, even though I know my mom has been enough help for both of us.

"Carol cancelled, so I need someone else to wear her dress."

Her request reminds me of something I've been considering, given that it's easier for women to bond over fancy clothes and that's what I need to achieve with a certain someone.

"I'm meeting Kurt's sister tomorrow on my way to you, maybe I could ask her? It's for charity, so she might say yes and this way maybe we can get to know each other better," I conclude with some hesitation.

"You don't sound too excited," Alicia notes intuitively.

"Because I'm not," I admit, since I know she won't judge me for it, "but I want to give her a chance."

"I understand. If she says yes, bring her with you tomorrow," she suggests, and even though I'm not sure I really want Helen to say yes, I'll ask her anyway.

"I will. He's here, I have to go. See you tomorrow."

I rush to end our call when I see Kurt approach, but he only notices me when I get out of the car to greet him.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" he asks as he approaches me with a happy, but surprised expression on his face.

"I felt bad that I had to cancel our lunch, so I wanted to surprise you," I admit and reach out my hands so they can catch his when he's close enough, then I pull him even closer to greet him with a kiss.

"I wouldn't mind such a surprise every day," he whispers and gives me a kiss in return.

"Too bad I'm busy tomorrow," I state a little teasingly.

I'd much rather meet him again tomorrow than his sister, but I can't go back on my word, since I had suggested for us to get together. Not to mention I wouldn't want Kurt to know about my second thoughts.

"I definitely hate that I have to share you with my sister now too," he unintentionally agrees with my hidden thoughts, which puts a smile on my face.

"And I also have to visit Alicia afterwards to see if my dress for Saturday still fits, after all the food you fed me with during Thanksgiving," I add jokingly.

"Sorry about that," he chuckles, accepting the playful blame. "But what's on Saturday?"

"The charity fashion show she's organizing, I've been meaning to tell you about it. I'll be one of the models," I admit with a disbelieving laugh.

"And you don't think I might want to see that?" he points out that I haven't invited him to come with me, but that is exactly why I brought up the topic on the first place.

"I just wasn't sure it's your thing," I explain hesitantly, hopeful that he isn't offended.

"I'd still want to go with you, unless you don't want me to," he replies with some insecurity I need to see disappear right away.

"Of course I want you to come," I press his hands that I'm still holding, since neither of us let go.

"Good." His smile suggests that he isn't upset, so my lips curl up as well.

"It's a date," I declare and pull closer to him for another kiss.

"So how about tonight? You have some more time for me?" he reminds me that I just showed up because I selfishly assumed he might want to be with me too.

"I do," I respond happily.

We haven't seen each other in two days after all, five minutes on the cold street doesn't exactly make up for that.

"Dinner?" he suggests.

"Okay, but aren't you like very tired?" I ask with some concern. He wasn't exactly sitting behind a desk all day, which can still be pretty tiring some days.

"To be with you? Never," he reassures me. "But I do want to sit down, so how about we visit our favorite diner again?"

"Sounds good, I just need to call Gina first."

I let go of his hands to find my phone and when I look back up I notice him observing me with a content expression. I think it's safe to say I managed to make his day a lot better with this small gesture.

o-o-o

By the time our plates are empty I decide not to ruin this lovely evening by telling him about the call from Gina's father. It can definitely wait. Instead we spend our time talking about the fashion show and my meeting with his sister. He reassures me that Helen will probably appreciate the invitation, but he isn't sure she would want to be up on that stage. But he makes it very clear he can't wait to see me up there and it's very hard for me to hide the description of my outfit from him. But seeing his face on Saturday will surely be worth it.

We have to say goodbye to each other in the parking lot, but we schedule another lunch date for two days later that I'll hopefully be able to attend. He thanks me again for the surprise and our last kiss turns just enough passionate to make it even harder for us to part. But somehow we both make it to our own cars and I drive home.

"Where's my dinner? I'm starving," Gina shouts from the living room when she hears me open the door, and I begin to chuckle.

"If you come and get it you can start eating right now," I shout back once I close the door.

"Oh, you're alone," she notes when she appears in the hall, but I can't really tell if it's a good or a bad thing for her.

"I am," I inwardly smile at the thought that she half expected me to show up with Kurt. Maybe some other time.

"Thanks for the food," she grabs the package and leaves.

I follow her to the kitchen where she puts the burger into the microwave.

"Kurt said you two can continue the cooking lessons next time he stays here," I reassure her that he hasn't forgotten about their agreement.

"And when will that be? Just so I'm prepared," she asks nonchalantly as she sits down with her burger, which surprises me. I expected her to leave with it right away.

"Probably Friday."

I pour myself some juice from the fridge and take a seat next to Gina, because I suspect she wants to have some kind of a conversation.

"Is he coming to the show with us on Saturday?" she inquires with her mouth full.

"Yes, hope you don't mind," I respond with a half-smile.

"No, I actually wanted to ask if you're okay with me bringing Cary." She finally gets to the point so I know what all of this was about.

"Why not?" I shrug, seeing no harm in Cary joining our company, at least I can observe them together some more. "How is the dating going?"

"You don't want details, do you?" Gina's mouth is full again, eating even more eagerly now that she got what she wanted.

"I just want to make sure there aren't details I wouldn't approve of," I warn her in a jokey tone, even if I actually mean it.

"We've only been out twice," she reminds me, basically hiding behind the remains of her sandwich.

"I know," I smile and I really want to trust her that it's too early to have that conversation. But I mainly trust that Cary knows I'd break his neck if anything serious happened between them.