Page 88 of My Promise To Keep

‘I was married.’

‘Yeah, at eighteen, to a boy you kissed as a kid and decided to never stop kissing.’ I close my eyes. ‘You didn’t get to go wild and date and have this insane honeymoon period of chemistry and hunger and learning about each other because what you had with Luke was a childhood friendship that turned into love. What you have with Leo is something different. You have a man who has longed for more with you for so long that he is desperate to give you what you told him you need, but all you told him isthat you need serious, real, and forever. Zoe, if you met a guy and told him that right off the bat, you probably wouldn’t get past that first date. He’s trying to give you serious, real, and forever, but he doesn’t know what that looks like any more than you do. Both of you have all these expectations for what a serious relationship in your thirties should look like, and you’re rushing to be there but stop, slow down. You don’t need to be there yet.’

‘Jesus, chief.’ She laughs at my use of her title. Doug calls her chief all the time, usually when she’s busting his balls over something, but I hardly ever do.

‘You’re together, and I get that things feel like they are further along than they are, but this is new, Zo, and you need to stay in this new part for as long as you can. You have the rest of your lives for the real shit.’

‘You ever think about quitting your job to become a relationship counselor.’

‘Honey, I can’t get a man to stick around longer than one night. I have no idea what I’m doing, but I know you, and I know Leo, and I want to see this work. I also think you should tell Doug, Mama, and Buck too.’

‘Not yet, Bree. I just don’t feel comfortable with that yet.’

‘Okay, well, I have to get to work, but you need to think of your next steps. How are you going to keep this in the new?’

‘What would you do, oh wise one?’

She laughs, tipping her head back to look up at the ceiling for a moment, and I know she’s thinking.

‘I’d get dolled up, put on some nice lingerie, and do something fun, silly, then I’d bring him home and make out until we’re breathless.’

‘No sex?’

‘Oh, lots of sex, but also just lots of kissing, kissing is important.’ The wistful look on her face tugs at my heartstrings.I’m so lucky to have Leo, and Bree deserves to feel the way he makes me feel. I can’t throw this away because we rushed it.

‘You’re right, Bree. About all of it.’ I nod, then stand from the bed.

‘Oh my god, you’re wearing his shirt.’ She rolls her eyes. ‘You two are so fuckin’ adorable I could cry.’

I laugh at the expression on her face.

‘Shut up.’ I grin. ‘Go to work, twinnie. I’m taking a shower, then I’m going shopping.’

I’m applying my lipstickwhen I hear the front door close, and I smile as I head out. Leo stops when he sees me, his eyes roaming my body and settling on my hair, freshly dyed peach and curled in soft beachy waves that tickle the tops of my shoulders.

‘Wow, you look…’ He blows out a breath that inflates my ego and walks toward me. ‘Did we have plans that I forgot about?’

I shake my head as he reaches out to my hips, his fingers running over the broderie tiers of the short turquoise dress I bought today.

‘No,’ I smile, shaking my head. ‘But we do now. You’re going to take a shower and change, and then, we’re going dancing.’

‘We are?’ He quirks an eyebrow, and I nod, yes, throwing my arms over his shoulders. ‘Unless you’re too tired.’ He shakes his head, and I see that he probably is. After he left the apartment this morning, he texted to say he had to work on a couple of pieces and that I could go keep him company, but I decided to take the day to plan tonight. ‘Sorry, this was a stupid idea. You’vebeen working all day.’ I release him and step back, but he grabs my wrists before I get too far.

‘No, not stupid at all, but I need to eat. Can we squeeze that in?’

I smirk, and he laughs. I can always find time for food.

‘You look real pretty tonight, munch.’

Leo holds my body close to his as we move to the music in the bar.

‘You look hot as hell.’ I grin, and he laughs, then brings his mouth to mine. ‘I’m yours, Leo. All yours.’

He kisses me again, and I feel it. He knows it’s true.

You Don’t Like It, Leo?

Leo

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