Page 58 of Stone Promises

What?“What are you saying, Julian?”

“I’m saying that I was a royal douche and I should have never cheated on you. I didn’t know a good thing when I had it.”

I cock my head to the side, absorbing his words. “Oh, Julian.” I had no idea he still felt that way about me. He’s dated a lot of women these past few years, but none have stuck. Is that why? Now I’m the one who feels guilty, parading Chad around under his nose. Talking about him endlessly whenever he and Mel and I have dinner.

“It’s fine,” he says, downing another long drink. “Well, it’s not fine, but I’ll get over it. Eventually. I know you don’t see me that way anymore. It’s my issue, not yours. But he’s still got to prove himself before I can trust him with you.”

I nod my head. “He will. He is.” I put my hand on his arm. “Please give him a chance. Get to know him again.”

The connecting door opens and Chad walks through, his disapproving stare honing in on my hand that is touching Julian. He looks at me and I try to reassure him with my eyes that he has nothing to worry about.

“Change of plans,” he says, walking over to join us. “Someone at the restaurant blabbed and word got out that we were coming. There’s a mob of people there now.” He turns his attention to me. “I know you’re probably feeling claustrophobic by now, but I didn’t know what else to do. I arranged for the hotel to cater our dinner up here in the suite. That’s what took me so long.”

“That’s fine, Chad. Of course, we should stay in. Shouldn’t we, Julian?” I shoot him a pleading look. “We don’t need a crowd watching us eat dinner and spreading rumors. Didn’t we have enough of those when we were teenagers?”

The two of them laugh as we start reminiscing about how everyone accused us of being a threesome. By the time dinner arrives, I feel Julian may actually be coming around. It still makes me sad that all this time, he’s felt that way about me and I didn’t know. Not that it would have changed anything. Even when I waswithJulian, I had a hard time seeing myself with him.

We get through dinner, enjoying a delicious spread of surf and turf, without any more fighting or animosity. And after, Chad asks me if I would mind if he takes Julian out for a drink. All I can do is smile. He’s making a real effort with him.

I say goodbye to Julian and Chad at the door, but as I turn to walk away, Chad catches me by the arm, spinning me up against his chest. “I’ll be back in one hour,” he says to me privately. “I want you naked in my bed when I return.”

Heat spreads between my legs at his words. I look up at him and whisper a tease. “A bit bossy, aren’t we?”

He grabs me behind my neck, pulling me to him as he whispers back, “You’rethe boss tonight. Anything you want—you get.” He kisses the tip of my nose before closing the door, leaving me a mushy pile of hormones. The next sixty minutes will seem like an eternity.

~ ~ ~

Sunday evening has come all too quickly. The thought of him leaving me after what we’ve shared this weekend has me straining to hold back tears as Cole drives us back to my house.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Chad says, squeezing my hand.

Of course I am. This is the moment I’ve dreaded since he picked me up Thursday night. What happens next? We didn’t talk about it at all this weekend. What if he doesn’t have any time for me? What if this is all I get for now? Can I live with that?

“Sorry,” I say. “I had such a great time this weekend. I guess I just don’t want it to end. Thank you for everything.”

He chuckles. “Mallory, you didn’t set foot outside the hotel room for three straight days, you call that fun?”

“The best,” I say, remembering all the different ways we showed our love for each other.

His face breaks into a triumphant smile. “Thank you,” he says. “It was the best weekend I’ve ever had, Mal.”

I nod, looking up at him as a tear trickles down my cheek. He wipes it with his thumb. “Hey, none of this. Don’t you know this is not the end? It’s only the beginning, Mallory. The first of so many more great times to come.”

I sniff back more tears as Cole pulls up to my house after a drive that didn’t last nearly long enough to say goodbye. Cole exits the car but doesn’t open my door. I look at Chad and he smiles, pulling a small package out of his carry-on bag.

“You got me a present?” I ask. “When did you have time to do that?”

He shrugs, nodding at the package. “Open it.”

I tear off the ribbon and open the package. Inside is a piece of paper. It’s an airline itinerary. Dated three weeks from now. From JFK to LAX. And it has my name on it.He’s bought me a ticket to L.A. for my spring break?I want to be happy, but I can’t. I’ve already got plans with three other teachers from school. We’re driving down to Myrtle Beach to stay in a rental house.

“Oh, Chad.” I look out the window trying not to cry.

“Don’t you want to know how I knew when your spring break was?” he asks.

“How?”

“I called Melissa last night when I was with Julian. I cleared it with her. She said she even knows another teacher who would be willing to take your place on the trip. It’ll be great, Mal. You can come see where I live. Hang out with my parents. Meet some of my friends.” Then his smile turns into a frown. “Oh, shit,” he says. “That is unless you’d rather go to the beach with your friends.” He takes the itinerary from me, folding it up and placing it back into the box. “I overstepped my bounds, didn’t I? I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed you’d drop everything to be with me. I’m being selfish. And right after I promised you I wouldn’t be a stupid bastard.”

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