Page 62 of Promise Me Never

“He didn’t say what you’re doing?”

“Yeah.” I glance out the window, noting the setting sun. “And I’m supposed to be ready in twenty minutes.”

“Well, considering your grandparents don’t know about you guys, I’d guess he isn’t taking you out. I’d pick leggings and a crop top.”

That’s exactly what I was thinking. I grab my favorite leggings and a well-loved shirt to pull on. Comfy sounds like the best plan for tonight.

“You shouldn’t fuck him tonight, too. Make him miserable for being such an asshole.”

“I don’t know if that’s even on the table for tonight. My grandparents are downstairs.”

“The forbidden aspect makes it so much hotter though.” She looks me over when I take a step back from my phone. “You look good. I swear Colorado suits you so well.”

“I miss you and LA, but I really do love it here.”

“I can tell. I can’t wait to see you over the fourth.”

When Colt invited me to Jackson, I asked him if Amber could fly out and join us. Thankfully he said yes. I haven’t even told Luke yet. It won’t be a problem for her to get there. Her dad is the CEO of a private equity firm. I doubt she’s ever even flown commercial.

“You’ll have to remember not to tell anyone about him and me. I don’t think we’ll ever say a word.”

She tilts her head as she looks at me through the lens. “And you’re totally sure you’re okay with that?”

“Yes. From the very beginning we both knew it was strictly casual. It makes it easier to stay in that mindset knowing that no one knows.”

“Okay.” She holds her hands up. “I just don’t want you to get your heart broken.”

“My heart isn’t in peril.” I look out the window again. “I’d better let you go.”

I’m not going to text or call him, so I grab a book and curl up in the chair by my window to read while I wait for him. I lose myself between the pages, falling into a story of love and redemption when a thump from my balcony makes me set the book aside. Just as I get to the door, it opens, startling me.

I blink in confusion as Luke walks through the door with a grin on his face and a bag in his hand. “Hi,” he says.

“Hi.” I look out onto the balcony trying to figure out what just happened. “How did you get up here?”

“I climbed the trellis.”

“What?” My eyes bug out of my head as I walk out and look over the edge where my grandma’s flowers slowly climb upward. “How did you know it would support you?”

“I built it.”

“With your weight in mind?”

“No, I’m just that good at constructing things.” He reaches in the bag and pulls out a pint of cookie dough ice cream. “I brought your favorite.”

“Is this how you’ll always apologize?” I ask as I take the pint. “I’ll have to go downstairs for a spoon.”

“Nope.” He pulls one out of the bag.

“Look at you. Gonna pull a rabbit out next?” I accept the offered utensil.

He sets the bag down. “You never know.”

I pull the lid off and settle onto my bed fully ready for him to witness me down an entire pint of ice cream. Then he can enjoy the little food baby that will inevitably grow in my lower abdomen. No sex for him. I moan as soon as soon as I take the first bite, making the sound way more over the top than necessary.

His eyes darken as he watches me.

“I’m going to eat all of this.”

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