Page 6 of Our Promise
He strolled over to her. “I’m proud of you, Elle.” He cuffed her exposed shoulder that her off-the-shoulder sweater left bare. His thumb lazily rubbed there, creating an intense feeling between her legs.
“Thank you.”
That’s all she could say. He was staring at her with those soul-searching brown eyes. It was like he could see everything she tried to keep away from him. Yet, she couldn’t take her eyes off of him.
Lorielle usually had more control, but being inebriated had to have weakened her tolerance to his purposeful pursuit.
Suddenly feeling vulnerable, she took a step back, losing his tender touch.
“I’m going to put her in the bed,” Lorielle said, helping Jo from the floor.
“Okay, I’m going to hang for a second. Make sure y’all are good. That’s if you don’t mind?”
“It’s fine.”
When Lorielle made it into her room, she assisted Jo in removing her clothes. She found a big t-shirt, pulling it over her body. She helped Jo into bed, and when she was comfortable, Lorielle pulled the covers over her.
“All good?” she asked.
“Yeah,” Jo whimpered.
Lorielle frowned. “What is it?” She kneeled on the floor at her side. “It’s okay.” Lorielle brushed away her tears, but they kept coming. Jo had full-on water works going.
“Elle…” She sniffled. “You think he’s falling out of love with me?”
Hewas the whole reason for tonight. Her best friend wasn’t fooling her when she called earlier asking to go out. But knowing what she knew, Lorielle got dressed and went to live it up with her friend to distract her from the fact thathewas moving different… even if it was for a good cause.
Trey Walker was very much in love with Jo. So in love with her that he was using their annual family vacation as a disguise for a proposal and wedding. Her best friend was about to get married in a week and she didn’t even know it. Here she was questioning his love, and he loved her so much he was planning a wedding she would never forget.
It still didn’t stop Lorielle from feeling guilty and sad. Seeing Jo so torn up was heartbreaking. Her best friend was always lively, happy, and outgoing. To see her now with tears in her eyes was unbearable.
“No, he’s not falling out of love with you.” Lorielle used her thumb to wipe away more tears as she cupped her cheek. “No crying. I’m sure it’s work, and I know he’s stressing since he hasn’t been able to be with you like he wants. He’ll make it up to you. I know he will.”
“He better! No one makes a fool of Joann Denise Collins.”
“That’s right. Get some rest, Jo. Good night.”
Jo said good night, but she continued ranting about Trey knowing not to play with her.
Lorielle laughed as she moved out of the room, closing the door behind her. She stood there for a few minutes, and when she peeped back inside, Jo was snoring.
She shook her head as she headed down the hall. Lorielle stopped at the threshold of the kitchen, spotting Benny rummaging through her refrigerator.
She propped a hand on her hip. “Found what you’re looking for?”
“Yep. Jo good?”
“Out like a light,” she said as she moved into the kitchen.
He gave a slight chuckle as he pulled out some rotel dip she made earlier. “You got chips for this?”
“Sure!” she said with fake enthusiasm. “Let me get you a bowl too.” She rolled her eyes as she pulled a bowl and plate from her cabinet and a spoon from the drawer.
“It’s the least you could do for having me come out and get y’all. I was in my nice warm house before I was begged to come out in the cold to get Gina and Pam.”
She laughed at the reference while handing him the things she collected. “I didn’t ask you to come get us, but I said thank you in the car.” She went to the pantry and came back with the chips he asked for.
“Yeah, I heard you, but this is more my speed. Thank me in food.”
