Page 5 of Forever Foolish

“I would love to be your first kiss,” he whispered softly, his eyes searching hers. There was something so open, so fervent and honest in his gaze as he spoke in a hushed voice for her ears alone. “It would be a heckuva gift, but when we kiss – I don’t want to be surrounded by a bunch of people distracting me. When that kiss finally happens, I want to lose myself in the feeling because I know everything will change between us.”

“So you’renotgoing to kiss me?”

“Someday when we’re both ready.”

“But how will I know if I’m ready – I mean, I thought I was now.”

“Chloe, you are sixteen and have your whole life ahead of you,” J.J. whispered, smiling sadly at her. “It’s just not our time.”

“And for that comment alone – I’m going to let you live, kid.”

Chloe turned around to see her father standing there, his legs akimbo and his arms crossed over his chest. It was his expression that worried her, though as she pulled back her hand from J.J.’s and nearly put him behind her as she scooted in her chair. Her father’s face was devoid of any emotion, like a statue, and in that moment – she knew exactly what he looked like on the field of battle.

It was terrifying.

“Daddy, we were just talking.”

“Chloe, move away from Jamie Post’s son.”

“Why? What are you going to do?”

“Chloe – I’m going to say this one more time and…”

“Mr. King, I appreciate your grace and understanding,” J.J. said from behind Chloe, moving away as he stood. “I apologize that it looked anything but innocent to you, but I would never cross a line with your daughter, sir.”

“Go find your mommy,boy…”

“Daddy!”

“Chloe, I suggest you do the same while I take a minute to remind myself this is Christmas.”

“DADDY…”

“Chloe, do as your father said…please,” J.J. uttered in a hushed voice – and Chloe had tears stinging her eyes as her father let out an almost maniacal laugh of disbelief.

“Do you think you are going to be the one to tell my daughter what to do?Holy crow, this is rich. My goodness, I’m going to be up for sainthood after this!Woooooo, here I am, just keeping my calm and wits about me,” her father was muttering.

Chloe darted off guiltily, clutching her precious gifts from J.J. and nearly running for her mother. She chanced a look over her shoulder, nearly bumping into India Tarrant, who was blowing bubbles annoyingly only to see that J.J. was speaking with her father, looking hurt and concerned.

No, this was not how she intended Christmas to be this year. She wanted to see J.J. – but not like this. She was panicking and immediately made an unexpected change in her path, directly for Mr. and Mrs. Post who were talking with the Griffins.

“Mr. Post, J.J. needs to see you immediately over by the right wing of the B-52 – and please don’t hurt my dad. Nothing happened,” she rushed out and saw their eyes widen in surprise as his father shoved his beer toward Mrs. Post.

“You did the right thing, Sweetie,” Lucy Post began and looked at her curiously. “No matter how hard it is – and I will never forget that. Trust my Jamie. Nothing will happen, but you should probably be heading toward your mother instead of over here speaking with me.”

“Nothingdidhappen,” Chloe stressed painfully.

“I know that, but sometimes things take time for them to work out correctly in the end. Slow and steady wins the race – remember that, Chloe. Don’t be in a hurry to grow up.”

Chloe pressed her lips together, feeling ashamed and even more like a child who was being talked down to. Turning away, she moved toward her mother and plopped down in a folding chair nearest to her.

“Chloe? What are you up to? What’s going on?” her mother began, smiling softly at her and smoothing back a lock of her hair that had come loose from the braid wound around the crown of her head. “What do you have?”

“Are you going to take it away?”

“No. Why would I?”

“Because it’s from J.J. Post – and Daddy hates him,” Chloe ground out, hearing a few throats clear nearby, obviously overhearing her comments. Her mother let out a long sigh and put her hand under her chin, making her look up into her eyes.

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