Page 88 of Forever Fickle

“I mean, like, how did you know…” Jana pressed curiously, sitting back and staring at her. “Did he ask you out right away or what?”

“He asked me out and I said ‘no’…” Karen admitted, causing Jana to laugh uproariously as Jace’s mother appeared with a tray holding the kettle, and three tea cups.

“You turned him down?”

“Very much so,” Karen frowned shyly, realizing that she had indeed. “He kept trying, finding a way to reach me, and then we just started to talk…”

“Really?”

“He’s such a good man,” she admitted softly, looking away. “I’ve never met anyone like him before.”

“He’s annoying,” Jana blurted out, grinning.

“No, he’s perfect,” Karen replied. “He’s just the most wonderful guy I’ve ever met and every time I think there can’t be more to him, to this, he goes and surprises me, once again.”

“Because I love you,” Jace said suddenly from behind her – and before she could turn around, she felt him drop a tender kiss on her temple. “I’ve got your things in your room.”

“Thank you,” she replied, reaching up to lay a hand on his cheek lovingly, feeling him nod. He stood up, laid a hand on her shoulder, and took a seat directly beside her… which seemed to annoy Jana.

“How can I get all the dirt if you are hanging around,” Jana growled at her brother. “Why don’t you go clean your room, do some chores, or find someplace else to be.”

“Because my place is at Karen’s side,” he replied loftily, and Karen nearly choked on her tea, realizing he was doing it to annoy his sister.

“Your place is with your nose in a corner…”

“Not since I was twelve.”

“You still act like you are twelve.”

“And so do you…” Jace grinned at his sister.

“Arghhhhh… mom? Can you tell Jace not to be so annoying? He just got here!”

“Can you two stop for a while… because I just got both of my kids under one roof and it hasn’t been like this for almost three years,” Lindsey said forcefully, before reaching out to pat Karen’s hand. “I promise they aren’t always like this.”

“Yes, we are…” Jace and Jana said in unison, causing Jim and Karen to both burst out laughing – as Lindsey frowned deeply.

“Jana, cool it,” Jace said suddenly, surprising Karen. “Someday you are going to find someone that makes you feel indescribable, gives you a sense of completion, while still making you feel like you are riding a rollercoaster… and when you do? I seriously feel for the guy, because he’s going to need all the help that he can get dealing with you!”

“Maybe it will be one of your pilot buddies…” Jana said maliciously, grinning at him with almost a gloating look, causing Jace to frown as he leaned forward menacingly at her words.

“They’re all married – so you better not…”

“All of them?”

“The ones that matter,” Jace replied, his features darkening. “And the others better not touch my sister – ever.”

“Oooooh,” Jana perked up, grinning. “Challenge accepted, big brother.”

“Jannnnnaaaaa…” Jace warned.

“I’m kidding,” Jana waved him off, rolling her eyes. “Besides, you are all a bunch of pouty children with big, expensive toys.”

“And don’t you forget it…”

Brother and sister glared at each other for a moment, making Karen realize that the two of them nagged, snapped at, and fought almost as much as she, Emily, and Chase had when they were growing up. They loved each other, but there was a certain underlying competition or tenseness that couldn’t be described too.

“Are you two finished?” Jim said bluntly, causing the both of them to grow silent as they looked mutinously at each other, causing Karen to grin. Oh yes, they irritated each other because they were a lot alike.

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