Page 65 of About Last Knight

As soon as Jade disappears into my bathroom, I turn my gaze to Melissa. “You’re gonna get it so bad when she leaves.”

She gives me a sexy smile. “Promises, promises.”

I grab her into my arms and kiss her hard. There’s paint all over our faces rubbing on each other. I smear hers just a little more, and she laughs into my mouth.

“This was fun. Jade’s fantastic.”

I smile. “I know. I’m so lucky she’s like her mother.”

Melissa shakes her head. “She’s all you, Declan.” She turns her head to the side. “You don’t see that?”

“No. She’s way better than me.”

She runs her fingers through my hair and looks up at me with so much affection. “I wish you saw what I see in you.” She brings her lips back to mine for a sweet kiss.

We’re interrupted when the doorbell rings. “Oh, that must be her friend Jaime. I don’t think I’ve ever met any of her girlfriends. I’m excited.” Melissa smiles at me.

I open the door. I’m expecting a seventeen-year-old girl. Instead, I’m looking at a grown man, about my height, though much skinnier. He smiles at me and holds out his hand. In a deep voice, he says, “You must be Mr. McGinley. I’m Jaime. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

I look at him and slam the door shut in his face.

Melissa shakes her head and gives me a disapproving look.

Jade walks out then. “Did I hear Jaime’s voice?”

I growl, “Jaime had to leave.”

She rolls her eyes and walks to the door. She opens it. “Sorry, Jaime. My dad has issues.”

“I have no issues. I thought there was a teenaged girl named Jaime coming to pick you up. Not a grown man.” I turn to him. “How old are you?”

“I’m nineteen, sir.”

I look at Jade. “He’s an adult. You’re a child. You can’t go with him.”

She rolls her eyes again. “Dad, I’ve been seeing Jaime for six months and have known him forever. Mom likes him. Relax.”

I scream, “What? I didn’t know about this! You’re too young to date! You’re not going anywhere with him.”

Melissa comes over and grabs my face to look at hers. “Relax. She’s seventeen, not seven. Going out with other teenagers is normal. Going out with teenage boys is also normal.” She rubs her thumbs over my face. “Take a breath. If Amanda’s fine with him, you should be too. Jade’s a smart girl. She knows what she’s doing.”

I take a few breaths before I slowly nod. Melissa turns to Jade and mouths, “Just go.”

I catch Jade smile out of the corner of my eye. She gives me a quick peck on the cheek. “Bye, Dad. Love you.” She looks at Melissa. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Melissa nods. “I’ll see you then. I’ll pick you up at around eleven.”

Jade and Jaime leave. I look at her in question. “Why are you picking her up?”

“We’re going shopping.”

“You two are awfully chummy.”

I motion toward the door. “I don’t like him.”

She smiles. “I know you don’t. I imagine the father of every teenage girl hates their daughter’s boyfriends.”

“I didn’t know she was dating. An older man at that. I don’t like it.”

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