Page 15 of Forever Foolish

“Both?”

“Oh yeah,” he laughed again. “I will never look at sausage the same…”

“Don’t tell me. I like sausage.”

“Right?” he smiled and then hesitated. “Chloe, it’s not a glamorous job, and I was covered in filth when I got home this evening. In fact, it was so bad I told my mom to unlock the back door and clear a path to the bathroom. Is something like this going to bother you? I looked like Hannibal Lechter.”

“As long as you are calling me ‘Chloe’ and not ‘Clarice’ – we’re fine,” she laughed easily, and he let out his breath.

“And I’m thinking of finding a place to rent up here.”

“Then I better get orders to Juneau,” she replied quietly.

“Are you disappointed?”

“Never. I’m just tired of our paths not intersecting, so I’m going to make a right turn and head in your direction.”

“I miss you so much.”

“I miss you too.”

“It’s hard to believe we’ve come this far, and things still seem so distant.”

“Oh, I know. It’s like we ‘weren’t’– and suddenly, now we ‘are.’The key thing is I don’t ever want to go back to the ‘weren’t’status where we were stuck for the longest time. I don’t care if this is not what people expect or think is proper. I found my best friend, and I’m lucky enough to be crazy about him.”

“I feel the same, Chloe.”

“Then find us a place to call home, Hannibal,” she whispered tenderly, making him chuckle nervously at the obviously intended endearment. “And prepare yourself because I’m headed in your direction.”

“I can’t wait.”

Seven months later,J.J. was up to his eyeballs in salmon, roe, and salt when his cell phone rang. He’d put it on the counter nearby because he knew Chloe was getting orders this week. He held his breath every day – and not because of the influx of fish.

Peering at his phone, he hurriedly wiped the slurry ofwhatever onto his apron and answered the phone, putting it on his shoulder and wincing as he got a taste of ‘Alaskan Sushi’ – trying not to gag.

“Chloe?”

“Juneau,” she breathed before letting out a wildly happy scream nearly piercing his eardrum. “I GOT JUNEAU, J.J.!”

“Oh my gosh!Are you kidding?Tell me you aren’t kidding! You’re serious? You’re coming here?”

“I’m serious as a heart attack. Are you free Saturday night, Mr. Post?”

“I’m freeanynight you ever decide to ask me out.”

“Well, I’m asking you out now, Hannibal.”

“Oh gosh,” he chuckled tearfully. “Don’t call me that. Do you want me to pick you up at the base, or should I…”

“Pick me up,” she interrupted excitedly. “I’m dropping my rucksack in my room and will be ready to go the moment you arrive. Just call me when you get out of work, and I’ll be ready.”

“How about you call me the second you get settled, and I’ll be there.”

“Deal.”

“Deal,” he parroted in excitement. “I cannot wait to see you.”

“Oh my goodness, J.J. – I cannot wait to be seen, hon.”

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