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“Jacques’ parents own a dairy farm. Summers, they give tours of the farm and run a drive-through that sells milkshakes.” I smiled. “It’s where I got the idea for which flavors to sell,” I explained. “I paid our good friend Jackie a visit, and when I saw the setup, I knew it was something the boardwalk needed.”
“I’d said more than once that the boardwalk could use another place that sold frozen treats. Be it slushies, popsicles, or milkshakes,” she gave a shy smile. “Anyway, thanks for the milkshake.” She batted her dark sooty lashes and bit her bottom lip.
Thank god I was wearing baggy board shorts. Chloe didn’t need any other reason to blush.
I crowded Chloe between the freezer and the counter.
“Since we’re apologizing,” I sighed, “I’m sorry about the glue incident.”
I know, I know, but better late than never.
Chloe laughed in my face before she quickly put her hands over her mouth. Once her amusement subsided, she removed her hands.
“I understand, I guess,” Chloe remarked. “You were trying to impress Nancy.”
“What, no, I was trying to impress you,” I quickly corrected. “I remember mentioning to Nancy that I was curious if your hair was as soft as it looked. She suggested I should touch it. It never occurred to me that I should wash the glue from my hands first,” I embarrassingly smirked.
“No,” Chloe attempted to push past me, but I stood my ground. “I heard Nancy brag to her girl squad that she dared you to put glue in my hair.” The fire in Chloe’s eyes told me she was not lying.
“Oh my god, what a bitch,” I remarked. “Nancy was jealous of your attention from being the new girl. And I didn’t help by saying how pretty your hair was. Nancy said it was a compliment and encouraged me to find out how soft it was.”
I explained to Chloe my regret for not apologizing sooner. I told her I enlisted my mother’s help, but unfortunately, she was gone when I tried to make things right. Chloe explained why she stayed far away from Nancy and her circle of friends each summer. That circle of friends included me.
“By the way,” I inched closer, “your hair still looks pretty.” I placed a strand that had fallen out of her messy bun behind her ear. Chloe blushed and bit her bottom lip. I stared into Chloe’s baby blue eyes, wide with curiosity. The coldness I had grown accustomed to was gone. I’d wasted years of friendship because I was stupid and proud.
Was I willing to let any more time pass without taking a leap of faith and finally giving in to my crush on Chloe Wainwright?
