When does "I love you" come too late?

While other couples are declaring their love like it’s no big deal, for some of us, it is a big deal. And the waiting game makes it an even bigger deal. The problem is that I know M. Perfect loves me, but he just won’t say it. How do I know? Because he told me so after a night of clubbing when he was rather drunk…in vino veritas.

M. Perfect: My brother had a good time tonight. He was even talking to some girls. [delivered in a slurred drawl]

Me: What?! Your brother? He’s married!

M. Perfect: Oh, not like that. He was just chatting. He’s totally in love with his wife. Just like me.

Me: You’re in love with your brother’s wife? [ever the smartass]

M. Perfect: No, someone else.

Me: Let me stop you right there. Perhaps you should have this conversation when you’re sober.

So unless he’s still in love with Ms. Ghost, hopefully that means he’s in love with me. But this conversation took place over a month ago, and still no sober confessions.

On Thanksgiving, I almost accidentally blurted out those three little words. We were cooking dinner for his family and it was almost 2 in the afternoon and M. Perfect had gone out to buy last minute groceries. He came back with groceries, of course…and a cup of coffee. Such a little gesture, but I was sooo happy. I’m addicted to my morning coffee and it was already 2 in the afternoon and I was starting to have withdrawal.

I jumped up from the couch, grabbed the coffee, and said, "I love…" Then I realized what I was about to say and panicked. What do I do? What do I say now? And the longer I thought about it, the longer the pause. And then the voice in my head said, "Just say something!" So I finished my statement with "this coffee." Yep. "I love…(long pause) this coffee."

Stupid, huh? How could I almost blurt that out? Well, it’s rather simple. I’ve said those three little words so many times in my head that it seemed so natural. Out loud to M. Perfect is of course slightly different. I don’t know if he noticed or not. Guess I’ll ask him one day if he ever decides to actually tell me he loves me. In the meantime, I’ll just keep on waiting…