by Renea Porter
“Hey.” The smile across my face is instant.
“Did you have fun last night?” he asks, tucking his hands under his pillow as he faces me.
“Yeah. You were fast asleep by the time I got out of the shower.”
“I was a bit tipsy, and it was a long day. But we have the rest of today, and then we’ll leave tomorrow morning.”
“Sounds good.”
“I’m going to grab a shower, and then we can go downstairs and tell Jane and the gang goodbye.”
When Jace goes to shower, I quickly change into my black bathing suit and throw on a pair of white shorts and a red, one-shoulder tank top. I leave my hair in a bun on top of my head from the night before, but adjust it a little. And I leave my face in its natural state. Normally, I wouldn’t leave the house without at least a coating of mascara on my lashes. But who needs makeup when you have the beach? Once I dress, I head downstairs.
“Well, hello, party people,” Jane teases. “You and Jace got in late.”
“I think we were one of the last ones to leave. It was fun, though. Where’s your Mom?” I fill up a mug with coffee and grab a muffin that Janice has out for us. I sit on the barstool next to Jane.
“Mom and Dad went antiquing.”
Moments later, Jace joins us.
“There is the life of the party,” Jane announces.
“Yeah. You guys left early.”
“The kids were getting cranky.”
“Mmmm hmmm.” Jace and I share a look. I think she and Roger wanted some alone time. It seems Jace and I share the same thought.
Roger comes in from loading their luggage in the car. “We should get going.”
Jace and I hug them all goodbye, and wave as they pull out of the driveway. Then it’s just us two.
“Do you want to go for a walk along the beach before it gets crowded?”
“Yeah, sure.” I follow Jace out as he slides the glass doors open. I close it behind us. We walk close to water’s edge, where it rushes in to touch our toes. I can tell Jace has something on his mind. I give him time to sort out his thoughts while we walk. The beach isn’t crowded yet, and I take in the serenity as silence envelopes us. The surprising thing is Jace is holding my hand. This time it’s not for show.
Jace finally starts to speak. “I am just going to come out and say I’m in love with someone.”
My heart drops.
“And she’s my best friend. I made it clear last night I’m nothing like my brother. I’d never hurt you in any way. I’ve only ever loved you. I chose you when I was sixteen. But I was afraid we were too young to know what love was, or that I’d fuck it up somehow. And I’d never want to lose our friendship. It’s always been me and you. I love you. I never have wanted anyone else.”
My heart stops.
He continues. “Whether you feel the same or not, I had to let my feelings known because I can’t keep it inside anymore. No matter what, we’ll always be friends. But I’d really like to be more than friends. You are the only one I see a future with, and you already fit into the family.”
I wait a few beats before speaking. My thoughts are trying to catch up to everything he said.
“Since you were so brutally honest, I am going to confess that I’m in love with you, too. Head over heels in love, as stupid and cliché as it sounds. It took me a little longer to realize you are the one I want. The one that’s been right there all along. I want to be with you. And those lips…geez...they freaking branded me. This weekend really opened my eyes to the possibility of us. I was playing the part, but it was real. It feels real.”
“Come here.” Jace pulls me into him, and kisses me passionately this time. The water swooshes in and licks our feet. “God. I love kissing you.”
I try to catch my breath as I say, “I don’t mind it at all.” I laugh, and we turn and head back toward the house.
Jace asks, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
“In five years, I hope my career continues growing. I hope to be married, have a toddler, and a baby on the way. Do you want kids?”
“Of course. Hey. Why don’t we get married?”
At first, I think Jace is joking. But I notice the look on his face. “You’re serious?”
“Yes. We could get married Labor Day weekend. I’d do it now, but everyone left. Plus, I know you’d want Jane there, and she’d kill us if we left her out, anyway.”
I chuckle, because I know he’s right. “So you want to get married in two months?”
“Yeah. We already have the location,” he opens his arms, signaling the beach, “and I know a preacher, and you know someone in the fashion world. All we need is a caterer.”
“And I know a caterer,” I tell him. “Oh my god. Are we really going to do this?”
Stopping, he brings me into him again. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me now. We can do the wedding however you want, though. I was just thinking out loud.”
“I like the way you think.”
Separating, we walk hand in hand back to the house.
Jace’s mom and dad are home.
“Where did you two kids go? And why are you both grinning like that?” Janice eyes us suspiciously.
Jace and I look at each other before I tell her the news. “I think we just got engaged. And we wanted to know if we could have the wedding here on the beach, Labor Day weekend?”
Janice’s eyes water. “Really? Oh my god. I’m so happy for you both. Of course you can get married here.” She and Jacob both hug us again.
The four of us celebrate by going out to dinner. Afterward, I call Jane to tell her the news. She is so happy for us. I think her squealing made my ears bleed. I can’t believe I’m getting married in two months to my best friend. I love him so much. And he was there this whole time.
It’s dark out now, and I find myself sitting on the beach. Jace comes out with two glasses and the bottle of champagne he stole from the reception. I almost laugh at the thought. Actually, I haven’t stopped smiling all day.
Jace passes me a glass, and we toast to our new beginnings. Just as I sip the drink, fireworks light up the sky. Jace is sitting behind me, and I lean back into his chest as we watch the light show. With his arms wrapped around me, he kisses the top of my head. This is, by far, the best day ever.
The fireworks end, but we remain looking into the night sky while we listen to the waves crashing in.
“Do you know how many stars are up there?” Jace asks.
“A lot,” I say, remembering back to when we were eight and snuck out to stargaze.
“One hundred billion,” Jace answers. He points. “And there is your star, and right next to yours is mine. So we’ll always be together.”
“Promise?” I ask.
“Pinkie Promise.”
THE END
DEDICATIONS
First of all, I wouldn’t be here without the support of those around me. This book started off as a joke between my husband and I. He and I pinkie swear a lot and I mentioned I should write a book about pinkie promises between two friends. He told me that was a great idea. So thank you for all you do, dear hubby!
Then there’s the countless blogs that support me, such Maari Loves Her Indies. She’s literally the nicest blogger in the business. And she’s always available for me to bug.
And there’s Just One More Page. Jen Wildner is always just a PM away when I need something like a read through done.
Those are just a few mentioned. There are plenty more that SHOULD be mentioned, but then I would still be typing.
My betas are an amazing group. Their feedback is so appreciated. Thank you, Lindsey, Paula, Andrekia, and Maari!! You will never know how much I truly appreciate you!
Also, I want to thank my BFF Niquel. She pushes me when I doubt myself. Cheers me on when I have something exciting happen. She’s there whenever I need her. She shows me what friendship is all about!!
And then I want to thank my editor, who is there for any need I ha
ve, such as a title question or when I’m in blurb hell. She allows me to say ‘here, can you edit this at the drop of a hat?’.
THANK YOU to the readers that picked up this little book and read it. I hope you said AWE at the end like I did. I mean, how perfect was that ending? Jace and Simone will always have a special place in my heart. We all need those kinds of friendships!
BIOGRAPHY
Renea Porter is best known for writing realistic stories with realistic characters. Her stories may even cause you to shed a tear or two. She mainly writes New Adult and Contemporary Romance. However, she’s not afraid to venture into other genres, like Paranormal Romance.
She enjoys spending time with her husband of fourteen years, and step son. She calls Pennsylvania home, but loves to travel and try new things. In her free time you can catch her reading books, watching reality television, and baking.
Her other works include:
-Coming Back to You
-Bare Hearts
-Undefinable
-Mirror Mirror (A Novella)
-Driving Layne
-Switching Lanes
-Outbound Lane
-The Truth of Us
-The Butterfly Effect
-And her latest The Year I Met August.
All of her books can be found on Amazon, B&N, Kobo and iBooks.
Broken Promises: Book 2 in The Promises series (Sneak Peek)
GUY
“Just get out, Stassi!” I yell. “I can’t even look at you right now.”
She backs up to the door. “I’m sorry, Guy. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’ll just come back later for my stuff.”
My fists ball at my sides. I really want to punch something. I pace the living room floor then I call Emily, my business partner, Stassi’s sister, and a good friend to me.
“Hey. What’s up?”
I run my hand through my hair as I sit on the couch. “Did you know she was cheating on me?”
“Stassi was cheating? I had no idea. Guy, I’m so sorry. Do you want me to come over?”
“No,” I say in a calmer tone.
“Well, I’m going to call her ass up and cuss her out for being a bitch.”
I chuckle. “You do that. I made her leave because I just couldn’t look at her anymore. I’ll be over here getting drunk.”
“Okay. Let me know how that goes. If you need me, call,” Emily tells me.
“Bye, Emily.”
“Bye.”
Grabbing a beer from the fridge, and a box of trash bags, I head upstairs. In the small closet, I throw all her clothes in a trash bag. I don’t even give her the decency to put them in a suitcase. Everything of hers gets put in a trash bag, so there are no remnants of her being here. I put the bags by the door to await pick-up. She’s lucky they don’t get thrown in the yard.
I sit on the couch with a second beer and wonder how my life became so fucked up. Getting Sous Steakhouse ready to launch in five days has been a long process. And it’s taken a lot of time away from my wife. Maybe that was where I went wrong, not spending more time at home. But the restaurant business requires long hours. Stassi knew my schedule, and I thought she understood. In the end, I did come home to her.
But after six years, it’s all gone. I text her and let her know her stuff is by the door and to leave the house key on the table, taking my wedding ring off and toss it on the coffee table. I move to the kitchen and decide to get the whole six pack then move back to the living room, lying on the couch, not paying attention to anything.
The first time Stassi cheated on me, I forgave her. But a second time…I just can’t get past the betrayal. I thought we were in a good place, but I was wrong.
***
Three days later, Emily shows up. “Well, don’t you look like hell. Come on. Get up. No more sulking. Go shower.”
“Piss off,” I tell her.
“No. I’m serious. Come on, Guy I’ve been handling the restaurant and the deliveries, but it’s time to get up.” She kicks my legs. “Now go shower. You reek.”
“How’d you get in here, anyway?”
“I have a spare key. Remember the whole sister-in-law thing. You go get ready, and I’ll get you coffee ready. I brought muffins,” she says, shaking the brown bag.
“Fuck. Fine!”
“Fine!”
“Fine!”
“I’m glad we got that worked out,” she says after I’m halfway up the stairs.
The shower actually feels nice after three days of binge drinking and lying on the couch. I couldn’t bear to sleep in the bed I shared with her. But the thing I love about Emily is she won’t let me sit around wallowing for too long.
The restaurant is a fresh start for me. And I might as well make the effort. We open in five days.
After showering, I trim my beard down so it’s a five o’clock shadow, put on some aftershave, and head to my bedroom to change clothes. The closet is much bigger now with just my clothes hanging inside. After I grab a black t-shirt and pull on a pair of white jeans, and I meet Emily back downstairs.
“As promised, coffee and a muffin. They aren’t as good as the ones you make, but they’ll do.”
How does she know me so well?
Broken Promises is coming SOON!!!!