Page 3 of Where We Promise

“Who are you?” The kid walked forward, giving me a flirtatious smile.

Something in my chest seemed to absently kick and silently scream for Jameson to notice. To say something…to make it obvious that he’d met me first, but he only kept his gaze down.

“Penelope Pruitt,” I replied, flicking my gaze between the two of them.

The boy slid onto the counter, forcing his legs to nearly corral me in. “I’m Luke, and you’re really fucking pretty.”

Jameson’s gaze remained on his now empty cup. Nothing, no ire, no frustration.

My nose flared in annoyance.

Fine, maybe he needed a nudge. I put my hand out. “Nice to meet you, Luke.”

Luke smiled again and held my hand for far longer than he should have.

Once I let go, Jameson shoved away from the counter and tossed his empty pudding cup in the garbage. Then without so much as a wave or a goodbye, he exited the kitchen, taking some small piece of me with him.

Why didn’t he like me?

“Don’t mind him, he’s a nerd stuck living in a motorcycle club. He’ll inherit it someday from his pops, but the kid has no clue what to do with it.”

“You guys friends?” I was curious because I didn’t get that vibe.

Luke shrugged. “More like brothers…we weren’t given a choice to be friends. Both our dads knocked up their old ladies at the same time. We were both born as club royalty. I like him fine, but he gets annoyed with me. We don’t always get along, but because he’s club, I’ll always have his back.”

I nodded, trying to understand.

“Just avoid him if you can help it. He doesn’t really like anyone. He’s a bit of a loner outside of doing stupid shit with me.”

I dipped my face, staring at the pudding cup he’d given me.

Why did one simple interaction seem to have made such an impact on me? I was already searching for ways to see him again or to get him to tell me why he didn’t like me.

He’d only just met me; he had no reason not to like me.

I could make him like me…I smiled at the little sweet treat and peeled the cover back.

Decision made, Jameson King would like me, and I’d make sure he never stopped.

ONE

PENELOPE

PRESENT DAY

The silence was unnerving.

It was something I’d have to get used to, especially now that I was out here…alone.

My eyes bounced around the room as I lay awake in bed, my fingers clutching the thick blankets, dragging them to my chin. The room was cozy, with a long dresser against the far wall, a modest flat screen perched on top, and a tiny bathroom enclosed off to the side.

The log cabin made me feel somewhat secure, like someone wouldn’t be able to just punch through the walls, or kick their way inside.

But it was small, and there were several windows, and I didn’t know this town, or the place I’d been brought well enough to let my guard down.

My phone chimed from the side table where it was plugged into the charger. I leaned over and pulled it free.

Jamie: Why is your light still on?

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