Frog Tale by JT Schultz Read Free Book Online Page A

they prefer beauty to brains.” She smiled and more tears bounced down her cheeks. For a brief moment he wished he had hands to wipe them away.
    “ Even to men, Chloe. Please, trust me. A pretty face gets boring.”
    I ’ve dated more than my share.
    His darted a glance to her hair. “On the bright side, you no longer have boring dark hair. However, I preferred the brunette to this new shade of orange―and the color matched your eyes.”
    “Oh Luc―”
    “ No , Il mio cuore , don’t fret. You’re pretty and the sooner you see it, everyone else will too. Now, go change into your pajamas and tomorrow you can call a hairdresser to fix it.”
    She sniffled and struggled for a deep breath. “My mom already made an appointment.”
    “There you go. Now go dry your eyes.”
    She nodded and scurried across the bed. She emerged in a new set of pajamas with frogs on them, he wanted to laugh. He may be a n amphibian, but he was the center of her universe. What more could a man―or frog, want?
    For her to be legal and me not rib-bit when I laugh.
    Neither was happening anytime soon. He took in the blue flannel with the green cartoon frogs. “I like the new sleep wear. Good looking frog, kind of resembles me.”
    She giggled and climbed under her covers. “ You’re so vain.”
    “And you make it so easy. I always like you in blue even with the current hair color.”
    Another laugh left her and she sighed. “Did you want me to put you in your castle?”
    “No,” he wanted to be near her. “I’m quite happy on the pillow next to you. You should sleep though.”
    “ I think I’m too sad.”
    He groaned over her comment. “Don’t be dramatic.”
    Her nose scrunched slightly and she grinned wickedly. “Afraid I’ll put you out of work?”
    A croak of a chuckle escaped him. She was so sassy. “Yes, now close your eyes and I’ll tell you a story. Heaven knows you’ve read to me enough.”
    She blinked at him and smiled. Finally, no tears and relief washed over his soul. “Luc, I am so glad you’re my friend. I love you.”
    His heart stopped beating. Everything he had experienced, every emotion, all of it new―but in truth, there was no denying… “I love you too il mio cuore , now close your eyes.” She was the best friend any guy, or anyone for that matter, could have―frog or otherwise.
    He meant the words and did indeed love her, he may be her everything, but she had kept him going all this time. She had changed his outlook on life and on love. Her long lashes shut and he sighed. Chloe was a cutie and truly his heart . He wasn’t sure how he would ever be able to leave her but knew one day he would. Luciano fought back the sour taste of bile, rising in his throat from the thought of living life without her.
    If only she were older, or me younger, but then again, she isn’t royalty. To me she will always be a princess.
    Sadness worked deeper through his soul. He wasn’t going to think of what he wished could be, right now she needed him and he was by her side.
    “Are you going to tell me a story?” Her sobs had eased and her voice was soft, though far from sleepy.
    Chloe had zero patience at times. A trait they shared. “Of course. Once upon a time in Beverly Hills, California, a young, handsome man was supposed to attend a grand affair with his father, a king and mother, a queen…”
     

Chapter 4
     
    “I can hardly wait to show Luc how I look.” Chloe whispered as she neared her bedroom. Instead of her door closed though, the heavy wood stood ajar and her heart raced as she worried about Luc. She shoved open her door and stepped over the threshold in time to see Stella about to reach in the tank castle.
    “You touch th e frog and they will need sealing sandwich bags for your body parts when they pick up the remains with Popsicle sticks.”
    Her sister spun around, wearing a scowl on her face then her expression turned to complete shock. “Oh, my God!”
    She didn’t want her sister near her