Page 38 of All the Promises We Break

“Hayley, she’s a client’s sister who was being nice. She’s great, but that’s it.”

“I know we said no promises, but seeing that name, no matter who she is, didn’t feel very good. Wes, I need something from you.”

“I’m listening.”

“Even though we’re not technically dating, I don’t want you to sleep with anyone else. Can you do that?”

“I’m an asshole, but not that kind. I thought that was a promise that didn’t need to be spoken. Are you making the same promise?”

I was shocked by his answer and equally by his question. I hadn’t thought about the possibility he might need or want the same assurances from me. “I haven’t been with anybody since the end of last summer.”

“So that’s a yes?”

“Yes.”

“Hayley Evelyn Sawyer has a jealous streak. Good to know.”

I give the back of his head a little smack. “Just remember who’s on top.”

“There’s a promise I want to see in action.”

Chapter Fifteen

Elijah

This was the first week I’ve gone full days since my accident. While I’m usually knocked out cold by ten, this has been the best week I’ve had physically since the accident. All my meetings went well, except for one.

The lone holdout on the board vote, Elise Nordby, wanted a piece of my time. It was a bullshit excuse to size me up at close range and see if my promises to the company and the board hold any water. I made sure she got every question answered with not just words to back it up. There were concrete numbers, schedules, and verbal evidence from the clients to show her in triplicate I’m as good as my word.

The one thing I should have expected, but I didn’t, was her bringing up Dylan’s audition. Wes says I have one of the best poker faces he’s ever seen. I’m happy to know that, especially in this instance. Elise asked when the audition date was. I replied in mid-July. I said it will be the perfect time, after the wedding, graduation, and before our fall honeymoon.

Elise decided to dig in and wonder where Dylan would have any time to work on Sam’s project or be open to help the team in other areas. I reminded her, like I remind anyone who asks, I’m the president of the company and her future husband. Skye is her boss. All questions about her specific workload would need to be directed to her.

We’re at a stalemate. I may have won this battle, but I have a feeling there’s a war coming.

Anna walks into my office at about three thirty. She’s got a power smoothie for herself and what looks like an extra one for me. “God, Anna. You know I hate that stuff.”

“Yep. That’s why I bought you one. Drink it.”

“Dylan’s in on this, isn’t she?” I hold my nose and drink the first sip.

“I mean this in the most respectful way possible. Quit being a big baby. If drinking this will give your mind and body a boost, shouldn’t you suck it up? I mean that literally, of course.”

“You’re lucky I like you.”

“I got the last of your calendar cleared for tomorrow. You might have to take the call from Ireland right around lunch, but I’ll try to get you out of it.”

“No, don’t. It might raise a red flag. I’ll make sure I’m available. The last thing I need you to do is make sure you take tomorrow off. You may coordinate that call, but otherwise, your out of office should state all inquiries will be answered on Monday. Understood?”

“Gee, I guess so. You’re such a tyrant.” She laughs.

“Yep, he’s a beast.” Dylan’s sexy voice reaches my ears. “How’s that smoothie?”

Seeing her stand in my doorway is the one thing I didn’t know I needed. The tension in my core releases in her presence. “Completely disgusting.”

“Baby. Speaking of baby, I forgot to say it earlier but, Anna, your bump is so cute.”

“Thank you. It’s super real. It moves and flips. It wants to eat all the steak it can handle.”

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