The Promise Read online

  “The usual?” I ask.

  “Didn’t expect to see you here, sugar.” Brad says, reclining back in his seat, smirking.

  “Didn’t wanna waste any more of my time on things and people that don’t matter, but then here you are…” I reply sarcastically. “The usual?” I ask again.

  “Yeah, babe,” Mason says, giving me a wink.

  Out of the two of them, Mason is the one I hate the least, he’s actually an alright guy, but he’s friends with Josh, so he’s an asshole by association with the biggest asshole there is.

  “I do hope Josh is having a nice time at Niagara Falls. Send him my regards will you? Oh, and tell him I hope he doesn’t fall in, a girl like me can’t have that much good luck in such a short time, it might go to my head.” With that, I turn on my heel and walk back to the bar.

  I ask one of the other waitresses to serve them for the rest of the night. I want a clean break from Josh, but with his friends hanging around it’s hard.

  ∞∞∞

  Soon my shift is over, and my feet are killing me. The drive to my house is short, and I arrive home to find Rose sat in the armchair in the corner of my living room reading one of her books that she brought along with her. When she sees me enter she places her book down on her lap and removes her reading glasses and smiles wearily.

  “Let me guess… Danielle Steel?”

  She laughs. “Am I that predictable, darlin’? How was work?”

  “Busy, but good. Thanks for taking care of Lucas, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “You’re welcome, love. We played snakes and ladders five times and watched Toy Story.”

  “Why am I not surprised?” I laugh.

  “Well, I better get going.” She closes her book and stands slowly, using the arm of the chair for support. She walks towards me and places her palm on my cheek and leans in to kiss the other. “I’ll see you tomorrow, love.”

  “Okay.” I walk her to the front door and see her into her apartment safely.

  I go back inside and lock the door behind me. I open Lucas’s door a crack, to see his little body rising and falling gently with every breath in the dim lighting from his night-light.

  I smile before closing the door shut and heading into my room. I don’t even bother getting changed, I’m too tired. I kick off my shoes and flop down onto the mattress, and it takes seconds before my eyes flutter closed and sleep drags me under.

  Chapter 6

  Gwen

  “Mommy has some very important people coming over soon, so I need you to be a good boy for me, okay?”

  “Yes mommy! I be a good boy.”

  “You gonna help me tidy this place up and put your toys away?” I ask, glancing around the living room where the carpet is a sea of toys, mini dinosaurs, Hot Wheels cars, tiny pieces of Lego scattered across the floor. Christ, those motherfuckers hurt when you’re barefoot, something I found out earlier when I stepped out of my bedroom this morning.

  “Okay, mommy!” Lucas bounds over to his toy box in the corner of the room, lifting the lid before retrieving his toys and putting them away.

  I begin by plumping the cushions on the sofa, folding away the throw that was strewn across the back of the chair. I rearrange the stack of wedding magazines that I’ve collected over the years and place them in the draws under the coffee table.

  I need to get back to some sort of normality and going back to work is the best way. When I planned Hayley and Kyle’s wedding, I found that it was the one thing I seemed to be good at, and so I decided to set up my own company, doing something I love. The irony isn’t lost on me by the way, how a wedding planner's own wedding was a complete and utter fuck up, a joke from start to finish, what a great way to advertise my company.

  I never enjoyed school that much, I could never really focus and to be honest, most of it was totally pointless anyway. I mean, who is going to use algebra and need to know about photosynthesis in real life? Why don’t they teach you something useful like managing your finances, learning about insurance and taxes, things that we actually need to know when we're older?

  The truth is, I could never find anything that held my attention and interest long enough to make me want to do it for the rest of my life, which is why I dropped out of college a few weeks in, and possibly why I went through jobs like children go through candy, getting fired from every job I ever had. At first I put it down to my bosses being dicks, but then I soon realized it was me. I made so many mistakes, one of the worst being that I kissed my boss, thinking he was into me, only to find out he was gay. Yeah, that one still has me cringing at the thought.

  Planning Hayley and Kyle’s wedding has been the only thing that has excited me enough to want to make a career out of it, be a success at something. It started slow and small, steadily growing. I decided to work from home, seeing no need to splash out and buy an office for such a small company such as mine. I liked working from home, it was easy and convenient as it meant I could spend more time with Lucas.

  I open the windows wide, letting the warm fresh air rush into the room as the morning sun cascades through the glass, heating my skin. I rest my elbows on the window-sill and stare into the distance where I can see the New York skyline, the tips of beautiful skyscrapers brushing the clouds above. It’s a clear, sunny day and the view is crystal clear. In the winter months, the heavy cloud and fog make it difficult to see the city, so much so that it makes me claustrophobic. Whenever I look out of my window and my eyes land on the city, it's calm, peaceful and everything seems right in the world.

  My phone vibrates in my pocket and I glance at the caller ID, it’s Aaron.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey. Hayley told me what happened, are you okay?” he asks. Hearing a friendly voice is a blessing. I haven’t seen Aaron in months, and I miss him, it’s the longest we’ve ever been apart.

  “Yeah, I’m okay.”

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you. I was packed and ready to go and then some fucking storm rolled in out of nowhere and grounded a shit ton of flights, including mine.”

  “Hey, don’t worry about it,” I say. “Are you going to be visiting soon?”

  “Hopefully. I have some time off at the end of next month so I’m planning on coming home.”

  “Finished mommy!” I hear. I turn around to find Lucas closing the lid of his toy box, my living room the tidiest I’ve seen in ages, I can actually see my carpet.

  “Thank you, baby,” I say, smiling down at my son. “Well, I can’t wait to see you, Aaron.”

  “Me too. How’s your little man doing?”

  “Lucas is good, we’re-” I’m cut off by a knock on the door.

  “Aaron, I’ve gotta go, my new clients are here, speak soon?”

  “Of course. Love you, trouble.”

  “Love you too, bye.” I hang up, placing my phone back in my pocket and hurrying to the door.

  When I open the door I’m greeted by an older couple. They’re older than I’d imagined when I spoke to them on the phone last week. They're in their mid-fifties. The woman has short blonde hair and is a few inches shorter than myself, a slim frame, and a kind smile. The man is tall, medium build with a wide stature, a handsome man for his age. His face seems familiar somehow, it’s right at the back of my mind but for the life of me I can’t place his face.

  “Hi, I'm Gwen.” I extend my arm out to shake their hands.

  “Hi, Gwen, it’s great to meet you, I'm Patrick, and this is Susanne,” he replies, shaking my hand, giving me a wide smile.

  “Hello,” Susanne says, taking my hand with a gentle touch.

  “It's lovely to meet you both. Please come in and have a seat.” I widen the door to allow them through and gesture to the sofa. They take their seats and I sit opposite them in the armchair by the window.

  Patrick takes in the room, his eyes searching every inch, his mouth curved up into a faint smile as his gaze finally returns to me.

  “I was so happy to get
your call, being a small independent company it means the world that you’ve chosen me to plan your wedding.”

  Before they can reply I hear, “There’s a snake in my boot!”

  All three of us turn our heads to see Lucas holding his Woody action doll I bought him for his birthday as he makes his way out of his bedroom. “There’s snake in ma boot!” Lucas copies.

  I laugh.

  “Who do we have here?” Patrick asks with a smile.

  “Lucas, come here.” He comes bounding over and jumps into my lap. I wrap my arms around his middle and kiss the top of his head. “This here is my son, Lucas. Baby, this is Patrick and Susanne, I’m going to help them get married.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Lucas,” Patrick says, his eyes lighting up as he takes in my son.

  “Hi,” Lucas replies with a tiny wave before burying his face in my chest as his cheeks turn ruby red.

  “How old are you Lucas?” Susanne asks.

  Lucas takes his bottom lip between his teeth and holds up three little fingers, thrusting them forward.

  “Wow! I’m guessing you like Toy Story, huh?”

  “I loves Toy Story! I loves Woody and Buzz and Jessie and Rex and…”

  “Okay, okay.” I laugh, tickling him and he screeches in a fit of giggles. “So first off, tell me how you two met.”

  They tell me how they met about a year and a half ago and it was love at first sight. Patrick’s wife left him a while back and Susanne’s first husband died, they met in a coffee shop and hit it off immediately, this is their second chance at love in later life. They look so comfortable with each other, they look so happy.

  I want that.

  “Do you have a specific date in mind, a venue...” I trail off.

  “We’re looking for something small, a party of thirty people, just close friends and family at a small venue, we were thinking of possibly March next year to mark the second anniversary of when we met. We have all the info written down here,” Patrick hands me a piece of paper.

  I scan over the information on the page. “Okay, do you have a particular colour scheme in mind or do you just wanna let me have at it and surprise you?”

  They look at each other and smile before turning their heads back to me. “Surprise us.”

  “Awesome. Well, I have a few venues in mind that would be perfect for you. So I’ll get in contact with them and get some prices together, get some mood boards of colour schemes and decorations. Shall we meet in a couple of weeks?”

  “Sounds great,” Susanne says.

  “How long have you been doing this?” Patrick asks.

  “I planned my best friend’s wedding four years ago, and found that I actually enjoyed it, so I went from there. It wasn’t easy, being pregnant and all, but it was worth it.”

  “You started all this while you were pregnant? That’s incredible,” Susanne says.

  Patrick stares admiringly at me, his eyes kind and soft.

  Where have I seen him before?

  “Yeah it was tough, but I was surrounded by friends and that’s all I needed.”

  “Well, it was great to meet you, and we await your call.” Susanne begins to stand, tucking her chair under my desk, just as Patrick begins to stand too.

  “You too. I’ll give you a call in a couple of weeks to set up another meeting and we can go over some of my ideas and pick out what you like.” I smile, placing Lucas on the edge of my desk as I rise from my chair.

  “Perfect,” Patrick says. “It was lovely to meet you, Gwen.” He turns to Lucas and smiles. “So long partner.”

  Lucas giggles. “Hey, that from Toy Story!”

  “To Infinity and Beyond!” Patrick booms.

  “To ifinty and byond!” Lucas copies, thrusting his little fist in the air, giggling.

  We say our goodbyes and Susanne and Patrick leave, Patrick looking over his shoulder, giving Lucas and I a warm smile before he steps through the door.

  Where do I know him from?

  Chapter 7

  Zach

  I walk through the crowded bar, it’s Friday night in Manhattan and the place is heaving.

  The heavy beat of the music pumping from the speakers, vibrating through my body, the thick humid air smelling like sweat and booze.

  Why the hell did I agree to this?

  I wind my way through the masses of people, heading for the bar when I see Gwen, leaning against the smooth wooden bar top, her deep red hair, the colour of wine, cascading down to the middle of her back in thick, soft waves, wearing the shortest dress imaginable.

  I recognise that dress. I’ve seen it so clearly in my dreams that I know it stitch by fucking stitch.

  That fucking dress.

  Blood red, silk, the neckline that dips low, showing off her beautiful tits. The dress clings to every curve of her body, her slim waist and her wide hips and that gorgeous round ass, coming to a stop mid-thigh, exposing her long tan legs that seem to go on forever.

  Fuck, she’s wearing the exact same dress she wore that night and it’s no coincidence. She did this on purpose. She knows exactly what that dress does to me. Her, in that dress screams danger, a temptation that no man could resist.

  She’s testing me, and I’m afraid I may fail.

  My dick is hard as fucking stone, throbbing so much it hurts at the thought of the body that lies underneath, the body I’ve pictured in my dreams for a year. I can’t seem to control myself when I’m around her. She’s like a siren, calling to me, luring me in ready to destroy me.

  This is going to be a long night.

  Being apart from her for the better part of a year has been for the best, and despite how much I’ve dreamed of that night, by staying away from her, I’ve avoided temptation, avoided doing anything stupid.

  Why the hell did I have to come back here? I was doing just fine when I was in Boston.

  I head towards her and squeeze my way into the gap between her and another girl, my body just brushing hers ever so slightly. She doesn’t seem to notice me being here, so I lean down, my lips inches from her ear. “You wear that dress for me, Red?”

  She jumps and turns to face me, her eyes wide, but softening slightly when she looks up to see me, her jade green eyes finding mine.

  “No.” She smiles coyly.

  “Liar.” I smirk.

  “Why are you here?”

  “Someone’s got to be here to carry you out when you can’t walk by yourself.”

  She flips me off and I laugh.

  “Hey guys!” Hayley calls as her and Kyle reach us.

  “Hey!” Gwen spins around and pulls her best friend in for a hug, before turning to Kyle, wrapping her arms around him too, planting a kiss on his cheek.

  “Hi.” I nod to them both.

  “You okay?” Hayley asks Gwen.

  “I’ve never been better. Come on, time for drinks!”

  ∞∞∞

  We are sat at a table in the far corner of the bar. As the night progresses it gets steadily louder with every passing minute. I’m sure as people keep talking louder they keep turning up the music. I can’t hear myself think, which is very bad for me considering I can’t think straight around Gwen when it’s quiet as it is.

  Gwen is sat beside me, her thigh brushing mine, her dress riding up and up as she fidgets in her seat, swaying to the songs as she sips her drink through her straw. I force myself not to look at her lips wrapped around that straw as she sucks the liquid into her mouth. Fuck, just thinking about it has all the blood rushing to my cock. I swear my dick jumps every time her thigh touches mine, my fingers tingling with the need to touch her, to sink my fingertips into her soft, curvy thighs as I had done that night.

  It is taking everything within me to restrain myself. I can’t touch her. I can’t.

  The last time I gave into the all-consuming need for a woman, I had my heart broken. Never again. And Gwen is a heartbreaker through and through. One word flashing in my brain like a neon warning sign.

  Danger
.

  I glance over to Hayley and Kyle sat across from me, his arm hooked around her shoulder as they talk quietly, their lips moving though I can’t hear over the music. Hayley smiles at something Kyle says before he leans in and captures her mouth with his. I watch as they fall deeper into the kiss, Hayley fisting his shirt in her hand while his hand cups her cheek.

  I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people so in love with each other than Kyle and Hayley. They got married not long after Kyle and I went into business together four years ago, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. I wish I could have that. To be able to trust someone and actually be happy for a change.