There's an interesting discussion going on between Chiara and Bess about what is the appropriate declaration before you feel comfortable with "I love you." (Thanks, ladies! I'm learning a lot from you.)
It's something I've wondered about. And writing this exchange, for the upcoming book, made me think about it again:
Monty put his mouth to the phone and made his voice comically sobby. “I
know you heard that. I love you, cousin.” Beneath the fake sobs there was a lot
of love. I guessed the man on the phone heard that, too. Monty squared his
shoulders. “Fair loves you, too.”
I shook my
head, panicky. "What? No. No!"
“I mean, Fair, uh... weird aching thing she
can’t quite express. Expresses. You.” He held the phone to his shoulder.
“Better?”
“Terrific,”
I muttered.
