"You know, you're unusually happy today." Andrew raises a single brow at his best friend; although he's glad to see George's boosted mood, it confuses him too.

"Is a guy not allowed to be happy?" George retorts gleefully, grabbing Andrew's cheek, and squeezing it like he's a baby. "You're all loved-up on cloud nine, so what does it matter if I'm in a good mood too?"

"He has a good point," Nancy assures Andrew. "I'm fairly sure this is the first time we've actually met up with George since the first time we all met. I've had you all to myself."

"I guess," Andrew reasons, adding a chuckle. "It's just nice to see — even if I'm unsure of the reason for it."

George takes a firm hold of his coffee mug; he warms his hands with it as he raises it to his mouth to take a sip. The reason for his sudden burst of joy, is because of how secretly-besotted he is with Levi. Of course, there's the element of negativity in that nothing may ever happen between the pair — but he evaluates that fantasies are good enough, for the time being. "Perhaps it's just because of the warmer weather. I don't know."

"But normally you aren't quite this keen on summer time," Andrew points out. "Even as a Greek guy, who should be used to the heat."

"My genetics play no part in this, you tosser," George jibes, amused; he sets his cup back down on the table, on the little mat that sits with a coffee-stained ring engrained on it. "Anyway, enough about me — how have you guys been?"

"Oh, just fine," Andrew responds; a smile spreads across his face out of nowhere. "We've just been talking a lot about our relationship lately. And we think it's going pretty well."

"And it's very early days; and we're going to keep things pretty slow, but ... " Nancy grins, lifting her left hand up to expose a pretty ring on her finger. "Andrew proposed to me last night, and I said yes. We're going to be getting married."

"Sorry?" George feels the need to double-take what's just been said. "You've known each other for how long now?"

"A couple of months," Andrew replies. "Listen Yog — I know it seems soon. But we've agreed to a long engagement. That way, if it doesn't work out, we have no ties for a while yet. We just felt it was right for us."

"Yeah, we aren't completely dumb, George. We know the risks involved with this sort of thing." Nancy nods in acknowledgement of how crazy the scheme is; but feels she is intelligent enough to know best. "If we didn't think this through as much as we have, we wouldn't have jumped straight into it."

"Andrew ... " George utters, still unsure of what to make of this new information. "A married man — you're out of your head."

"Ah, don't be like that Yog. It's better than being the other extreme and never moving forward with a relationship, like you and Steph." Andrew laughs, but George doesn't really see the funny side of it; his previously chirpy demeanour has transformed to a much more serious one. This only makes Andrew more determined to prove his point. "It doesn't mean I can't still go out and have a good time with you and the boys. It just means I won't be shamelessly flirting with everyone I lock eyes with."

"I just think you're a little too young for this. I won't stop you, of course. It's your life," George states, as politely as he can, as not to cause friction. "If you think it's the best thing for you both, then I'm happy for you. Really, I am."

"Thanks, mate." Andrew grabs George's neck and traps him in a headlock; using the knuckles of his other hand to rub the top of his head. "And you'll be the best man, of course."

Somehow, this brings George into a more positive frame of mind again. "Oh, really?" He slips his head out from Andrew's hold, tidying his wavy hair quickly. "Well now, that's something I can get behind."

"See — doesn't seem so crazy now, does it?" Nancy chimes in, chuckling at the change of heart. "But like we said, it'll be a long engagement first. Just to give us the time to get to know one another and make sure this is definitely right for us. We won't just jump in head first."

"I guess that's a little more reasonable," George decides. "If you'd have said you were going to the courthouse tomorrow, I'd have been pretty concerned."

"We'd never be so silly," Andrew scoffs, placing a loving hand on Nancy's shoulder. "But sometimes ... when you know, you know. Don't you have that inkling with Stephanie?"

To this question, George freezes a moment; of course he doesn't have that inkling with her, but he can't possibly say that to his friend. Instead, he expels a nervous laugh, trying to disguise it more as a patronising one. "Are you mad? Not everyone gets that feeling. And a lot of times, you don't need that feeling to know what's in your heart."

"Oh — he's getting all poetic now," Nancy points out teasingly. "That's how you know he's in love."

Even though he's aware she's referring to Stephanie, George can't help but feel his cheeks tinging a soft blush colour; a bashful smile spreads across his lips. He wishes to avoid eye contact, so he tilts his head away from the loved-up pair in front of him; his thoughts instantly turn to Levi, which is the trigger for such a reaction from him. He listens as Andrew and Nancy make sickly cooing noises to him; making fun of his mannerisms.

"Oh, he's totally in love!" Andrew adds, punching George's leg. "You can see it in his eyes. The honeymoon phase definitely isn't over for him, yet."

"You guys are crazy." George flips his head back around, wanting to divert attention from himself now. "This isn't about me. This is about you guys. How long do you think you'll leave it before you decide it's time to go through with the wedding?"

"Maybe a year or two," Nancy informs him. "Like we said — a long engagement. We need to be sure."

"I knew you'd be the sensible one," George answers, subtly digging at his best friend. "This one here doesn't know the meaning of the word 'sensible'."

"Alright, cheers Yog." Andrew rolls his eyes, adding a shake of the head to further emphasise his lack of amusement. "There won't be a wedding at the rate you're going. Really selling me to her, aren't you?"

"He's only messing around," Nancy assures him, cupping his chin with her hand. "He knows I can handle it. I'm not going to run away just because of silly little things."

"She's a good one," George tells Andrew. "If she can handle you, then maybe you were right to have given her the ring so quickly."

The three of them share light laughter at George's comment, before proceeding further with their conversation regarding plans for the future.

•••

"So, they're having a long engagement ... while they decide if they want to be engaged?" Stephanie's expression is one of slight confusion; she isn't opposed to Andrew's and Nancy's plans, but she is struggling to wrap her head around it. "Is that a thing?"

"Seems like it." George shrugs, as he flicks through a magazine on the sofa aimlessly; his fingers touch upon images of any male celebrities that take his fancy, with little-to-no intention of acting upon any desires he derives from them. "I just told them I was happy for them. Although, Andy said I'd be the best man when it happens."

"You'd look gorgeous in a suit," Steph compliments him, her eyebrow raising as she imagines such a wonderful sight. "Drop-dead gorgeous." She glances over to her partner, watching him stare at the pages before him, engrossed. "Hey! Stop looking at other women."

He picks up on her insecurity, lifting his head to look at her. "You don't need to worry. I'm actually doing the exact opposite of looking at women." He grins, knowing he's technically not lying — but not quite in the way she's expecting.

"Oh, what? You're looking at other men?" she jibes, which admittedly takes George by surprise; she sees this, misinterpreting it as a look of horror at the idea. "I'm joking. I know you only have eyes for me."

He gives an uneasy chuckle. "You need to stop being so worried. Other women don't interest me in the slightest, you know."

"Good." She uses this discussion as an opportunity, moving from her spot on the sofa. She stands in front of George, gently snatching the magazine from his hands so that he has no choice but to look up at her. "And this woman is only interested in you." Her voice has taken on a seductive tone by now; she lowers herself onto his lap, sitting there in a bid to turn him on.

As much as George doesn't wish to engage in meaningless sex, his sexual frustration from his own private fantasies drives him to partake regardless. He bites his lip, granting himself permission to progress with the desires he holds to himself. Stephanie brings her head to his; she captures his lips with her own, speedily sparking an intense make-out session on the sofa. Her arms coil around his neck; while his eyes are closed, he pictures all the attractive images of the people he'd ideally be engaging in this act with right now. This gives him the boost he's after; he feels himself becoming physically aroused, using this to his advantage. His hand moves to the small of Steph's back; he uses this as leverage to pull her body in closer to his. When she feels his newfound excitement beneath her, she groans into the kiss. Her fingers slip downwards, unbuttoning George's skinny jeans shakily; he works on undressing her at the same time. With sleeves of shirts removed, and all signs of underwear vanished, Stephanie climbs back on top of her lover.

"I'm ready," she utters, pushing his upper body so that he sits back against the sofa; his legs are parted, and his feet are pressed firmly to the ground. She positions herself on him; the sudden sensation causes George to grab hold of the sofa arm as a means of venting his emotions. She slowly starts to move; beginning with gradual circular motions to give him a feel for what's to come.

"Shit," he curses, his voice husky from the already-overwhelming experience.

She continues, moving herself against him to satisfy them both; their soft groans mingle together perfectly with the quiet rhythms of their bodies becoming one. George's fingers squeeze harshly at the fabric of the cushioned seat they share; his feeble attempt at ridding some of the pent-up aggression he is feeling at present. It isn't too long, before he starts to feel the familiar tingling deep within his stomach, of his high. As always, he tries his best to withhold this inevitable outcome — deeming this encounter as being a little too brief, still. His heart starts to palpitate as the trembling kicks in. It rises up through his stomach, invading his chest; and sinks below, to the most fragile depths of his body. Soon, it all becomes too much for him.

"Fuck!" he exclaims, just as the powerful climax shocks his core. "Oh, fuck!" His entire body shudders violently; he feels himself pulsating deep inside of Stephanie as the crescendo dies down again. "Oh, god ... " He becomes breathless, with droplets of sweat drenching his forehead; it soaks his now-greasy hair, so he slicks it back as he waits for his partner to be finished, too.

"Shit," Stephanie whimpers, as she too hits her peak; her legs twitch, then her head moves to George's collarbone to hide her face. "God, you always feel amazing, babe." The pair take a moment to recover from the experience; Stephanie withdraws from him, sitting by his side on the sofa instead.

Once the initial adrenaline rush subsides, George can't help but feel remorse for what he's done again. He scolds himself, reminding himself that he shouldn't be continually leading this young woman on; but alas, he doesn't have it in his heart to tell her what's really going on in his mind.

•••

Chapter nineteen! Hope you enjoyed it. xx