Page 3 (2/2)
“You haven’t changed, Monkey,” he huffed on a laugh Squeezing her, he pried her arth “Look at you I swear you’ve grown another two inches since I saw you last”
“And I still have to craneout of his hand but he held it aith another laugh
“Let’s sit down I only have a few minutes”
They took a seat at a s she’d be right back “You been staying out of trouble?” Jackson pulled out a warm, cinnamon-coated pretzel and handed it to her
“Yu her eyes, she added with her mouth full, “Do you really think my parents would have it any other way?”
Unfortunately, he knew they wouldn’t How she stayed so sweet and upbeat with the way they stifled her childhood with their de her into one pageant after another was beyond him The poor kid had worn e of five, and missed out on all the fun foods kids loved because of hera strict diet for her
“I guess not Seventh grade is co back to school?”
“Yes, but I wish I had tio so far, Jackson?” Julie gazed at hi bite into her mouth
“Gainesville isn’t that far, and that’s where both the University of Florida and Veterinary college are We’ll keep in touch, just like we’ve been doing by phone” He still couldn’t believe Dr Drake, the veterinarian who’d given him a summer job the last two years, had offered to sponsor him Curtis Drake was one of the few adults who didn’t hold the sins of Jackson’s parents against him
“It’s further than Orlando, and I’ve barely seen you since you rown up, then I could do what I want” She pouted
“Spoken like a typical kid” Although, in her case, he could see why she craved independence already “I have to go” Standing, he bent and kissed her forehead “Later, kid Behave”
EIGHT YEARS LATER
Jackson was prepared for the instant clutch around his heart when he parked his car and gli hair blowing out behind her Sliding out, he lounged against the hood, waiting until she spotted hi across the park playground to launch herself at hiht, slender frao What he wasn’t prepared for was the way his cock stirred with the press of her soft breasts against his chest and the feel of those long, bare legs sliding down his The little girl next door had grown into a beautiful, desirable young lady, but his reaction caught hi hihout her teen years, he’d never thought of her as anything except the kid next door who needed his friendship
“I
still have to crane my neck back to look up at you!” Julie exclaimed
S face, he said, “Get used to it, kid Your chances of reaching six four are nil” Handing her the bag she kept trying to snatch out of his hand, he steered her over to a covered picnic table The summer heat and humidity drew a bead of perspiration down his back, but Julie still ed to look cool in a tank top and shorts
“A burger and fries Gee, how’d you know?” Julie didn’t wait for hi in
“Years of sneaking food to you?” Jackson enjoyed a huge bite of his double cheeseburger before bringing up the reason for this lunch “So, noho’saway, and a hell of a lot further than Gainesville?”
“I know; can you believe it? Aawesome is that?” She stuffed two fries in her“I still can’t believe it, Jackson My parents are thrilled and, of course, taking all the credit” She rolled her eyes
A pang tightened his abdomen She had always been the one to be this big move hole-hearted enthusias city didn’t chew her up and spit her out That would break his heart
“It’s a big change, kid You’ll forget all about me in no time” That orried him most
“Never! Besides, you’ll come visit, won’t you? You have to”
Jackson sighed He hated big cities and crowds, and New York boasted both “You know I’ my practice down near Piedmont I can’t afford to take off, at least not for a while Your turn to come to me” He still couldn’t believe Dr Drake had left him ten acres and the fa battle with cancer All the times the veterinarian referred to him as ‘son’, Jackson now realized how much he’d meant it