Page 1 of The Wrong Promise

1

ZARA

I should be excited.

I should be out of my mind excited because, after years of self-doubt, my best friend is finally happy. She’s treating our friends and me to a weekend retreat at a hotel that has an acclaimed restaurant where the stars secretly dine and a five-star spa service, yet I can’t shake the disheartened ache in my stomach.

I’m thirty-five, single, and third-wheeling with my best friends. I love Penny, and Hugh and his wife, Sienna, but they’re all happy and… I don’t know how to be.

“Thank you for coming.” Penny pulls me into a hug.

“No, thank you. This place is amazing. One would be crazy not to want to stay here.”

“I know, right.” She rubs one hand over her rounded stomach. “When Franklin spoke to Jobe about ideas for a weekend away, he suggested coming here.”

Oh, did I mention both Penny and Sienna are pregnant?And until last week, I also didn’t know Jobe owned this hotel.

Franklin is her husband, a man I disliked for months for breaking Penny’s heart but who has since proven to be the perfect husband. His younger brother, Jobe, on the other hand, I still dislike with every fiber of my being.

“It’s truly amazing,” I say while looking around the foyer at the oversized rose crystal statue and the massive chandelier hanging directly overhead.

Her smile grows. “This is his way of preparing me for the baby… being pampered and surrounded by my friends. What else does a girl need?”

“Nothing. You deserve it all.” I take her hand and squeeze it. It’s hard to believe we grew up together in San Diego, and our families often struggled to get by. We spent days thrifting not to be trendy but because it was all we could afford.

Franklin’s voice sounds from behind us, echoing across the luxurious hotel foyer. “Come and join us for dinner later.”

We turn to see who he is talking to. Oh, for the love of God.

Anyone but him.

Jobe is striding across the marble floor toward his brother, his expression severe like we’re keeping him from a million-dollar business deal. I refrain from rolling my eyes and take in his dark hair, suit, and body. Those dark eyes meet mine, and his forehead furrows as though he wasn’t expecting to see me.

Asshole. I’m Penny’s best friend.

Penny places a hand on my arm. “You don’t mind if Jobe stays the weekend, do you?”

Yes.

“Of course not. He’s part of your family.”And he owns the hotel, so…

Jobe is like Franklin, a shrewd businessman. The first time I met Franklin, I liked him. The first time I met Jobe, he was a stuck-up, wealthy, arrogant snob even though he is the same age as me. Three years later, my opinion is unchanged. While I understand their stern demeanor, unrelenting focus on their goals, and how tough decision-making earned them their successes, it carried into Jobe’s personal life.

Like I said, asshole.

Penny has warmed to her husband’s brother and tried to convince me he’s all sweet and kind on the inside once you get to know him.

I remember the first time she met him and how shitty he made her feel, as though she wasn’t good enough for his brother. They didn’t move in the same circles, and Jobe didn’t like it.

Hurt my friends, and there is no second chance.

Even if he has paid for us to be here for a weekend of five-star treatment and pampering, it’s probably loose change for him.

“Are you sure you’re okay with him here? I know you’re not a fan,” she says softly.

Understatement of the year.

I shrug. “It’s a big place. I can find somewhere not to hear his annoying voice.”

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