A Kiss to Last a Lifetime

They Needed to Know

Reginald’s pov:

The next day Reginald picked Chloe up from Sherry's place. He hadn’t realized how gorgeous she was last night, and in that moment he realized he could imagine spending a lifetime with someone like Chloe, not just because of her looks, but everything about her, from the way she carried herself, cared for others and to the way she viewed the world.

He thought for a moment when he woke up in the morning that he was too tipsy and emotional after the conversation with his mom. That perhaps he was loose with his thoughts and feelings, but after seeing Chloe walking toward him, the butterflies stirred in his stomach, making him realize there was much more to explore.

As she got closer he open his arms ready to embrace her the moment they reached each other.

“Thank you again for accompanying me today, if there's anything I can do to return the favor please don’t hesitate to ask. I know it’s a lot and I appreciate you being there for me.” Chloe stated before placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

He knew in that moment he didn’t want to be kissed or held by anyone else.

He cleared his throat as his mind seemed to be scrambling for words. “I’ve been looking forward to this.” He grinned and stated, “There is something you can do for me.” He stared at her lips for a moment before speaking again. “If you wouldn’t mind being my lunch companion today after the hospital visit it would make my day.” He said.

“I think I can make that work.” She said as he brought her wrist to his lips. “I umm…”Chloe stopped mid sentence. “We should get going.”

Chloe’s pov:

Reggie held the door open for Chloe to enter first before scooting in beside her. She was reminded of when she shrugged at Sherry's question directly after Dane's assault, and how she had not yet filed a harassment complaint against him. She was hoping maybe Reggie wouldn’t mind taking a detour before lunch after the hospital visit. She felt supported while Reggie held her hand as they rode to their destination, and hoped it wasn’t a facade. When the car stopped, they got out of the vehicle and Reggie escorted her through the hospital to Dane’s father’s room.

Chloe gently knocked on the door waiting to be welcomed in.

"Come in, I’m decent.” Dane's father Stan said.

“Stan, you didn’t even ask who it was.” Loretta Dane's mother patted Stan on the shoulder.

“It’s okay honey, maybe the doc has returned to discharge me, so that I can get some decent food in my belly.”

“I knew you shouldn’t have eaten those raw oysters, but you refused to listen. From now on we only eat food that is prepared properly!” Loretta stated before looking towards the door.

“Chloe my dear, what a pleasant surprise, Dane said you were going to be too busy to see us today, but I’m so glad you made it.” Loretta said, before Stan asked as they saw a stranger beside her holding her hand as they moved toward Stan.

“And who is this young man with you?” Stan inquired with a raised brow.

"Hello I’m Reggie. I’m Chloe’s good friend, and escort for the day. She speaks highly of you two and I knew I had to meet you myself. I hope you don’t mind an extra visitor.” Reggie spoke up before Chloe could figure out how to explain who he is and why he was here with her.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Reggie, my name is Stan and this is my wife Loretta.” Stan said as he reached out to shake Reggie’s hand.

They all began to chat about what put him in the hospital, and how Stan would never trust an oyster again. Before they knew it Dane had arrived with a bouquet and he was standing and staring red faced as they were laughing about what he planned to eat as soon as Stan got discharged.

Stan was the first to notice Dane’s arrival. “Hey son, look who came to visit and she brought a friend.”

Ignoring his father, Dane asked “Can we go outside for a minute and talk Chloe?” It seemed more like a demand than a question

“No thank you Dane, I have nothing to say to you.” The room became silent.

“You can’t just ambush my parents and visit whenever you please!” Dane said sternly as he shook the flowers in my direction.

“Well it’s a good thing that I was invited to visit and who am I to turn your parents down?” Chloe explained.

“Mom, dad please ask your unwanted guests to leave as this is a family matter!” Dane looked to his parents to carry out what he could not.

“We will do no such thing, how dare you speak to Chloe in such a manner!” Loretta spoke up. “I’m embarrassed of your behavior right now Dane. I know we raised you better than this. Explain yourself son!”

“Mom, it’s a matter between Chloe and I. I would like to have it in private.” Dane stated without looking in Chloe’s direction.

“I will not be having anymore private conversations with you after you assaulted me last night!” Chloe stated and watched as the color drained from Dane’s face.

“Please tell us what happened my dear, I’m so sorry already.” Loretta encouraged Chloe to continue.

“Dane broke up with me yesterday, my birthday of all days, saying he no longer had feelings for me, telling me that he cheated on me not just while away at college, but also during high school. That his uncle wasn’t really sick while he was away at college. He called me all sorts of belittling shameful names and proceeded to hold me hostage while forcefully kissing me. No means no Dane. Please keep that in mind for the future.” Chloe finished.

“You threw up in my mouth last night, so I believed we were even. But you came here to get my parents to take sides with your tales of woe. You are such an ungrateful b!tch! Where the fvck do you get off coming to the hospital to disturb my parent’s peace!” Dane said.

“Sit Dane.” Stan pointed to a chair next to the bed. “Son I’m glad Chloe spoke up. I can’t figure out where we went wrong in raising you, but I'm appreciative of Chloe filling us in. You have crossed so many lines, and instead of apologizing for your actions you chose to continue down the same wretched path…I know that my apologizing on my son’s behalf does not fix anything, but I hope you know that Loretta and I don’t condone such behavior. If it’s okay with Chloe and Reggie, we would like to thank you for your visit and ask you to enjoy the rest of your day.” Stan said as he escorted them to the door.

“One last thing Dane. Please don’t come near me again. I will be filing a complaint with the police to make things official.” Chloe said as she and Reggie walked hand in hand to exit the room.

“They needed to know.” Reggie whispered in Chloe’s ear as they made their way to his vehicle.