Page 48 of Promise Kept

Larissa can go and be anything she wants.

She can invest the money and live off the dividends. Travel the world. Have studio apartments in all the major cities across the country. She can have a private jet and just live. Explore.

Yet I know in my heart that’s not going to happen.

That’s not who Larissa is.

That’s not who she’s ever been.

Larissa is a pain in the ass.

A stubborn and mostly spoiled little… brat.

I end up leaving, gritting my teeth.

A huge SUV waits for me and I climb into the back.

My itinerary has already been given to the driver so we don’t need to speak.

I text Larissa.

On our way.

I try to sort through some emails.

My life does not revolve around this business.

I have another life.

A good life.

I only came around because of Heston’s funeral.

And that promise you made to him…

I rub my chin.

Next thing I know the SUV is stopping.

I slide across the seat and open the back passenger door.

When I see Larissa, my throat clenches for a second.

That quick clench sends a signal throughout my body that forces me to overpower my brain…

She’s your best friend’s daughter! Do you not understand that? You’re about twice her age. She’s a young, beautiful woman in her twenties. She has her entire life in front of her. What the hell is wrong with you…

I can’t help it.

I can’t help but notice her perfectly white shoes.

I can’t help but watch the way her jeans hug all the right places - hello curvy hips.

Or that her jeans have those premade cuts and tears in them.

She’s wearing some kind of light cardigan over an all-black shirt.

Her hair is pulled back with one of those gigantic clips.

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