Page 4 of A Forever Love

“Where’s Clem?” I glance around the house, everything just as Clementine and I arranged it when we moved to this house on Kings Security campus several years ago.

“She’s—” Dad’s response is cut off by the roar of an engine shutting down outside. “This woman will give me a heart attack someday.” Dad pivots and strides outside.

I follow, my sisters flanking me, their hands in mine just like before. A smile pulls on my lips as I momentarily forget the commotion outside. “I’ve missed you guys,” I whisper, and they both look up at me with tiny grins. “Now let’s see what made Dad so upset.”

“We already know!” Poppy giggles as we step outside to find Dad exasperated, his hands thrown in the air, while Clementine unloads several shopping bags from her new Porsche.

“Why do you drive at breakneck speed?” Dad’s voice brims with concern.

“Calm down, Keith.” Clementine turns to face Dad, her hand resting gently on his chest. It’s almost surreal to witness his expression change in an instant, as if something clicks immediately.

“Only God knows why you gifted me this awesome car, since you’re always tracking my speed with all your cool gadgets. I just hit the gas when I reached our empty street.” She sweeps her gaze up and down the block before her eyes fix on me, and her scream is so loud I fear a few windows might shatter.

“Mere! Oh my God, you’re here.” She abandons the bags without a second thought, letting them fall to the ground as she rushes toward me and envelops me in a tight embrace. “I missed you so bad, girl.”

I need a moment to regain my balance. “I missed you too. There’s so much I have to tell you. All about the internship and the city, the food, the buildings—”

“And the men?” she adds, still holding me close, and I shut my eyes.

God, I love this woman.

“Eww!” My sisters scrunch up their noses and turn away, heading back inside the house.

“Right now, they’re ‘eww-ing,’ but there’ll soon come a time when boys will be the only thing on their minds.” Clem chuckles, wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye. Her face mirrors my own emotions—happiness and peace.

“I don’t even want to think about the time when all four girls in my house are boy crazy,” Dad grumbles, holding the bags Clem dropped.

“I’m crazy about only one boy.” Clem blows a kiss to Dad, halting his steps on the landing, his expression momentarily dazed.

“You are…” He looks at her as if struck by lightning, then shakes his head and heads inside without finishing his sentence.

I marvel at Clem’s ability to throw Dad off-kilter. He’s a retired Navy SEAL, for God’s sake, and one of the best bodyguards out there.

“How are you?” Clem asks, the wide grin on her face slipping slightly.

I don’t need to be a psychic to guess that both she and Dad are concerned about me, especially after I refused to visit St. Peppers for four years straight.

“I’m good, and so happy seeing you all.” I squeeze her arm, conveying without words how much her concern means to me. Maybe one day I’ll be ready to share everything with her.

“And I’m so happy to finally have my girl back.” Clem hugs me once again.

A hint of discomfort tugs at my sides at her words, so I resort to the best art known to humankind—deflection. “Judging by your shopping bags, should I guess you’re planning a party?”

“Of course! Our girl graduated at the top of her class. It’ll be just like old times, the whole gang together.”

A gnawing pit settles in my stomach, churning with a mixture of apprehension and dread.

Will he be there? Have four years been enough time to get rid of my feelings for him?

“Are you girls planning to come inside?” Dad hollers from the kitchen.

“You didn’t change a thing in the house.” I glance around again, noting my awards from various science competitions still hanging on the walls as we step into the living room.

“Everything was perfect. Why would I change it?” Clem meets my eyes.

Once again, that feeling of gratefulness washes over me. She’s filled our lives with so much happiness.

“I’ve made you both your favorite cinnamon latte.” Dad places two cups onto the table.

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