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�SURPRISE!�
�I told you not to do anything special!� Chloe scolded the guys as they emerged from various corners of the dressing room.
�We couldn�t let your birthday go by with out celebrating,� Justin exclaimed, strapping a party hat on her head.
�You just wanted to party!� Chloe accused.
�You know me too well,� Justin said, laughing.
Chris watched the conversation with some amusement. Over the last couple of weeks he and Chloe had grown close. Neither one ever mentioned the kiss they had shared during that tender moment in the hotel room, although both of them thought about it nearly every moment they were together.
Chris had come to know and love all of her cute quirks. The way she twirled her hair around her finger while she was reading and the way she bit her lip while she worked or when she was nervous. He would lay awake at night and picture the way she tossed her hair, the way her lips had felt on his, or just picture her smiling face.
There was no doubt in his mind that he was falling in love with her. He had never felt like this about anyone.
But when he tried to approach the subject with her, she would dismiss it, moving on to a new topic. Chloe seemed oblivious to his strong feeling for her.
�Earth to Chris,� Joey broke into his thoughts.
�Huh?�
�We�re going to sing to Chloe now,� JC told him, �that is if you would be kind enough to join us.�
�I�m ready,� Chris said.
�One, two, three,� Joey counted off.
At three, the guys broke into a melodic version of Happy Birthday.
�Why can�t you guys just sing it horribly off key like everyone else?� Chloe teased when they had finished.
�We�re just 'N Sync!� Justin joked.
Chloe rolled her eyes.
�Can we cut the cake?� Joey urged.
�Let her blow out the candles first!� JC smacked Joey playfully upside the head.
Chloe closed her eyes and blew out all her candles in one puff. Chris couldn�t help but notice how tempting her lips looked when she had them puckered up like that.
�What did you wish for?� Justin asked, picking up the knife to cut the cake.
�If I told you then it wouldn�t come true,� she told him coyly.
A moment later they were all munching on cake and talking loudly. Chloe was sitting in the middle, basking in the attention of her special day.
�Hey,� Justin interrupted, �what about the birthday kisses?�
�I thought it was spankings,� Lance chimed in.
�Twenty-two spankings?� JC marveled. �Poor girl won�t be able to sit for a week.�
�I think one birthday kiss from each and then the twenty-two spankings,� Chris spoke up.
�Okay,� Justin agreed. �Me first!�
�Don�t you sound eager?� Joey commented, elbowing him in the ribs.
�Tell me Chloe, have you ever had a Memphis Handshake?� Justin asked slyly.
�No, can�t say that I have,� Chloe answered.
Justin grabbed her quickly, dipping her low and planting a kiss on her lips before tipping her back up to her feet. He kept one warm hand on her waist for a moment steadying her after his startling move.
�So, you greet everyone in Memphis that way?� she asked breathlessly.
Chris burned with jealousy. Justin knew that Chris had feelings for Chloe. He had gotten him to confess it in a weak moment, some weeks ago.
�Happy Birthday,� JC told her stepping forward, kissing her on the cheek.
�Thanks,� Chloe said.
Joey stepped forward. He took her hand, kissing her palm ceremoniously, then he kissed her wrist, her forearm and the inside of her elbow. Next her bare shoulder, then the side of her neck, her cheek and finally her mouth.
�You know Joey, it was twenty-two spankings, not kisses,� Lance reminded him, planting a light kiss on her forehead.
�Oh, I forgot,� Joey replied, winking at the giggling Chloe.
Chris stepped forward, his eyes on her lips. He bent forward, pressing his lips to her gently. They were soft and firm, just as he remembered. All to soon it was over.
�Happy Birthday,� he breathed.
�Thanks.� Chloe looked down at the cake in her lap.
�Now for the spankings!� Justin cried.
After the party the group got ready for their concert. While they were doing that Chloe polished off the remainder of her cake. It was her favorite, chocolate with chocolate icing. Her mind was elsewhere.
She could never forget the way that Chris� lips felt on hers. Despite Joey and Justin�s obnoxious kisses, Chris�s had been her favorite birthday kiss. Chloe had long ago stopped denying her feelings for Chris. It had been hard to ignore the way her heart picked up when he entered a room, not to mention the tingly sensation she felt at his touch.
Chloe let out a long, unhappy sigh. She could never have the only thing she had ever truly wanted. Her eyes welled up with tears at the thought. It was so unfair!
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