Page 65 of The Wrong Promise

I hold my cell to my chest. Damn, I have to text him.

Penny and Franklin are coming to the gala! I can’t fake date you in front of them!

I get to my feet, anxiety creeping up my chest as I wait for Jobe to reply.

I’ll convince him not to attend so you don’t have to stress.

Stressed? More like mortified!

Grabbing the blanket, I head inside to pour a red wine to help me sleep. Then, I flop onto the sofa with my wine glass and open my cell.

Hi, Mom, how are Dad and you? I miss you both. Again, I’m sorry I won’t be home for Thanksgiving, but I’m booking a flight to come home for Christmas. Love you x

I wrap the blanket around me, seeking some form of comfort. Now, all I need is a good book—one that ends with a guaranteed happily ever after.

19

JOBE

The last fewdays have been hell.

For the first time in years, I’m over the shitshow of business fuckups. Dealing with incompetent dickwads is doing my head in. I have respect for my brother becausethisis Franklin’s life, and he is great at it.

Today, I’m grateful for the break and to be with family at Thanksgiving. Pulling into the long circular paved entrance out the front of my parents’ home, I park beside Franklin’s black Bentley. Penny and her parents emerge from the car.

Frank takes Summer from her baby carrier and places her in a stroller. I’m out of my car, clicking the security button while Penny is still fussing over the bedding. I walk over to them and peer in. Summer is asleep, her tiny lips in a pout.

Penny looks tense. “She doesn’t travel well,” she whispers, pulling me in for a hug. “Happy Thanksgiving, Jobe.” I kiss Penny’s cheek and tighten my arms around her,feeling the gentle love. She has brought much warmth into our family and brought us closer in a way.

Franklin shakes my hand and pats my shoulder in a reassuring way. “Happy Thanksgiving, Jobe.” I place a hand over his. Franklin is the person I admire the most, even more than our father.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Frank.” I turn to greet Penny’s parents, Lacey and Ray. Penny walks ahead with the stroller and her parents on either side through the front wooden double doors. Franklin drops back with me, wheeling a large case.

“Is this what you need for one outing with a baby?”

He chuckles. “We are staying overnight. The bag is for Summer and Penny’s parents.” He cocks a thumb over his shoulder. “Royce is spending time with his family, and with Lacey and Ray with us, we didn’t fit in the sedan.” He looks around to see if my driver is here. “No Joseph?”

“No. I’m not staying long. Like you, I decided he needed to be with his family.” I tap his shoulder twice. “We’re softening in our old age.”

“Do not elaborate. I refuse to be known as a soft cock.” He gives me a sideways glance. “And don’t mention anything about Zara unless Penny asks.”

“Why would I? It’s no one’s business but ours.”

Frank gives me one of his do-not-fuck-with-me looks. After thirty-five years, I’m immune to his scowls.

We all head into the dining room, where everyone is seated. Mom and Dad stand to greet Penny, Frank, and her parents first, while the staff takes Summer to the nursery.

Mom takes my face in her hands and kisses me on the cheek. “You look tired, darling.”

It’s an accurate assessment. “I’ll be fine. The international flights are catching up with me.”

“Are you sleeping, darling, or working the entire journey?”

Before I answer, my father comes to stand with us and shakes my hand. “Happy Thanksgiving, son. While I respect your dedication, your mother is right. The stress will catch up with you, and you’ll be forced to rest. Take some time to reset and sleep on the jet.”

Wow. Usually, my father is all work, work, work.

“If there’s anything I can do…” my mother begins.

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