Page 6 of The Wrong Promise

What?

“I’d be happy for a G and T.”

He gives me a disapproving side-eye before moving behind the bar, where he ignores me and opens another bottle, placing it in ice. Jobe places two coupe glasses on the bar.

“Oh, the fancy boob glass.”

Jobe’s eyes hold me captive, and then his gaze lowers. “I don’t believe it’s shaped to fit yours.”

Raising a brow, I take the glass and fit the opening over my left breast. It barely covers the area around the nipple. “You’re right.” Placing the glass back on the counter, I add, “Best I use that glass now.”

Jobe’s dark expression causes my stomach to flip. “Not a chance.” He slides the glass to his side. Straightening both his arms, he leans on the counter, staring at me in a way I can’t think about anything else while prisoner to his mesmerizing eyes. “Enough about my work and fake happiness. Where do you work, Zara?”

What were we talking about? “I’m an executive assistant to the HR manager at an environmental preservation company. Penny helped me secure the position three years ago. Before that, I worked at an insurance firm. In other words, nothing exciting.”

“What excites you?”

What’s with all the serious questions?

“Workwise? Nothing at the moment. What I would love is to climb the career ladder into HR. But there’s no chanceof it happening in this company, so I’m bored and ready for a change.” I down the remains of my glass. “Sick of LA if I’m being frank.”

“You’re not Frank. Or Penny, for that matter.” He gives a cheeky smile as he fills my boob glass with the newly opened bottle of Dom. “You’re Zara Indigo Hart and stop reflecting on the blue nature of indigo and find your purple.”

I frown. “Blue as in feeling blue? And what do you mean by my purple? Because it sounds cheesy coming from you.”

He raises his glass as though to salute me. “While it sounds random, a friend recently educated me on color. All part of the décor in real estate. For instance, blue is calming and serene, yet it can improve concentration and stimulate thinking. A color to improve productivity, so I had my offices painted in different shades of blue.”It sounds wanky to me, but I say nothing. “You, however, need some excitement.”Not arguing there. “Bring the purple of indigo in how you think about the future.”

I lift the glass to my lips. “Well… if we’re talking about a stand-out color, my superpower is to blend. I’m a chameleon.” I shrug. “If I could go anywhere in the world right now, I would…”

Purple… royalty…

“Work in England.” It feels like a game, and I answered right.

He nods slowly, pushes off the counter, and straightens. Jobe is not as tall as Franklin, but still my gaze lifts to meet his. “Good choice.”

I laugh, mocking him. Or, if I’m honest, mocking myself. “It won’t happen.”

“Why not?”

“Um, I know no one and have no work prospects. Novisa. And my passport has expired because my life sucks.” I sound sad even to myself, so I down my drink in one go.

Woah.I close my eyes, letting the buzz wash over me. I better slow down.

“Give me your cell.”

“What?”

Jobe’s hand is outstretched, waiting, so I unlock my cell and hand it to him. He taps away, then holds it to his ear. I watch as he retrieves his cell from his trouser pocket. “I’ve sent you my details.” He hands me my cell. “What’s your address and email? If you’re serious, I have a contact who can make it happen.”

“Say what?”

“Do you want a job in London?”

Do I?I don’t want the job I’ve got—there’s nowhere to go from here—yet my career matters to me. I might not want a family, but it doesn’t mean I don’t deserve purpose. And this could be the clean break I need to get it. “I’m tempted.” I blow out a breath. “Can you really make it happen?”

He glances up from his phone and raises one eyebrow. “Ask yourself why before you make a decision.”

I shake my head as if my thoughts are muddled.

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