Page 67 of Ruined Promises

“Ican’t believe we’re celebrating your engagement on the rooftop of the downtown Hilton. Like seriously, Lex, your fiancé rented out an entire roof bar.” Hadley passes out glasses of champagne from the waiter to Brynn and me, before taking one for herself. “We sure have come a long way from ramen noodle cups in the college dorm.”

I wince, making a funny face; those weren’t necessarily our finest moments. While Brynn and Cal both came from the upper class, they wanted the full college experience or a so-called “normal life,” so Hadley and I went all out to provide it for them by eating ramen noodles weekly.

“I know. I told Ben that it was too much, but he insisted.” I shrug. I don’t need all these fancy events, I just need him, but the food, the view, and the company are spectacular. Ben outdid himself when planning this. I glance over my shoulder and see him speaking to a few of his college buddies and Cal.

“That man is a keeper; you better hold on to him.”Brynn holds her glass up, and Hadley and I do the same, our glasses letting out a soft clinking noise as they touch.

“Oh,I plan to.” When I bring the glass to my lips, the bubbles tickle my nose.

“Don’t look now, but someone seems to have a target on her,” Brynn whispers, her eyes trained on something in front of her.

Hadley and I turn to see Asher leaning against the bar with black dress pants and a white button-up shirt with the top two buttons undone. His dark hair is now cropped around his face, resembling his older brother more and more. His eyes, however, are trained directly on Hadley. My eyes flick back and forth between the two, using my peripheral vision so that I don’t make it obvious what I’m doing.

“Will you two excuse me? I’ll be right back.” Hadley excuses herself before we can even respond and makes her way over to the bar, but halfway there places her empty glass on a waitress’s tray and takes a fresh drink from them.

Brynn and I share a confused look as we watch her approach the bar to his left, her stance mimicking his. He turns to face her and leans down to whisper something in her ear.

“What in the actual fuck are we witnessing,” Brynn questions, and I shake my head because I have no idea.

Moments later, Hadley strolls back up with a smile on her face.

“What was that about?” I raise my eyebrows, wondering if there is something my best friend isn’t telling me.

She shrugs and glances over her shoulder at Asher, who smirks at us before turning his back to us as he orders another drink from the bartender. “It’s nothing.” The look in her eye, though, tells me that it very well might be something, but I don’t push it.

Changing the subject, my best friend does what she does best—avoidance. “Now, let me see that gorgeous ring on your finger again.” Her smile matches my own.

I raise my left hand, flashing the 1.02 carat Tiffany setting engagement ring with a channel-set diamond band.

“Damn.” Hadley grabs my hand with such a force that I need to catch my balance as she and Brynn examine the ring for what feels like the millionth time. “That man did good, even if he didn’t let me help.”

“Why thank you. I’d like to think I know exactly what my girl wants,” a husky voiceanswers. I feel Ben’s presence as he steps up behind me and pulls my back firmly against his front. He places a soft kiss where my neck and shouldermeet,and his breathtrailsup my neck as he reaches my ear. “Miss me?” he softly whispers.

“Of course. I always miss you when you’re gone.” I spin in his arms. With my free hand, I wrap it around his neck, while the other holds my almost empty champagne glass. I tip the glass back, downing the rest of the liquid.

As soon as I bring the glass away from my lips, his lips are crashing onto mine. With a swipe of his tongue on my lower lip, I open for him and deepen the kiss. When we break apart, I feel flushed, and I’m not sure if it’s the champagne or my arousal.

“You two should just get a room,” Cal jokes behind me as he joins our small circle.Bentley Harrington is all I see.

“Well, if you all excuse me, I did come over here to steal my fiancée away for a few minutes. We have some important business to take care of.”

“Business?” I mouth, confused. He links his hands with mine and places his lips against the skin on my knuckles. I visibly shiver, and I know Ben noticed when a smirk appears on his handsome face.

I hear Cal say, “I was just kidding,” as we pass by, leaving my friends behind. Ben takes my empty champagne glass from my hand and sets it on the server’s tray.

“Are we seriously already leaving our engagement party?”

Ben chuckles as he continues to pull me through the crowd. “Oh no, I just want to spend some quality time with my fiancée.” He glances over at me and winks, and that sends shock waves straight to my core.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.” Ben opens the door that leads to the inside of the hotel and takes a sharp left. The elevators are the opposite way, so I am left confused. With his hand pressed against my lower back, he leads me down another hallway.Where the hellishe taking me?

When he stops in front of a door, I read the sign: Restrooms.

“Areyouserious right now?”

“As a heart attack.” He opens the door and pulls me inside. With the click of the lock, Ben has me caged in against the door.

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