Pinkie Promises (A Promises Novella #1) (7 page)

SIMONE- Age 18

It’s graduation day. Jace and I made it. But it was a day for goodbye, because he and I were going to separate colleges.

“I didn’t realize I’d cry over saying goodbye to you,” I admitted, swiping the tears away.

“Hey.” He bent down to look in my eyes. “It’s not like I’ll never see you again. I’ll see you on the holidays, and on breaks. I’ll even come visit you on campus. You can’t come to mine, because I have a reputation to build and a lot of girls to sleep with.”

He was trying to make me laugh, and it worked. “You’re such a pig.”

“I got you to laugh, didn’t I?”

“This is just great, because now I’m laughing and crying.”

“Come here.” Jace pulled me into him, and I didn’t want the moment to pass. He whispered in my ear, “You’ll always be my number one. So don’t think you can replace me just because we are going to separate colleges. Promise me.”

I nodded into his shoulder, gripping his shirt for dear life. “I pinkie promise.”

Letting me go, we hooked our pinkies together to promise. “We’ll talk every day, okay?”

“Okay.” I nodded.

“Now, show me that gorgeous smile before I drive off.”

With both hands, I wiped my tears away and watched as he loaded into his car. With a wave, I smiled as best as I could and watched my best friend since the age of six drive off. We were no longer attached at the hip, and this was the first time I had to be on my own.

It was time for me to spread my wings and be my own person.

PRESENT: SIMONE

It’s the day of the wedding. And the nervousness no longer resides in my belly. Jennifer isn’t so bad, but I will not be becoming besties with her. Maybe several years down the road things will be different, but I won’t be holding my breath.

I can’t stop thinking about the kiss with Jace since it happened. My lips are branded by his and now there’s no going back. I want him, all of him, more than anything. But right now, we are getting ready for the wedding.

The braid from last night leaves my hair in cascading waves, so I forgo washing it. With a fresh coat of makeup on, my hair hanging down to the middle of my back, I slip on the dress that Jane helped pick out. The off-white color shows off my tan.

Jace is already at the venue since he is part of the wedding party, so I’m hitching a ride with Jane and her family. “Jace is going to freak when he sees you,” Jane mentions. “I mean, if I were a lesbian…”

Roger shakes his head while their son Dylan asks, “What’s a lesbian?” I can’t help but bust out laughing while Jane tries to find the words that won’t form.

It doesn’t take long for us to arrive to the venue. If I were getting married, I would get married right on the beach, barefoot, no shoes required. But that’s just me. James and his fiancée opted for a hotel resort instead, in a garden setting. Then the reception will be in one of the ballrooms.

Finding our way out to the courtyard, I find my mom and sit next to her; Jane and her family on the other side of me. “You look beautiful, Simone.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I give her a kiss on the cheek.

My eyes look forward, locking eyes with Jace, and I offer a slight wave and smile.

He looks so handsome in his tux, standing up next to James. Before he left this morning, I was able to use some makeup to cover his black eye. You can hardly tell.

The wedding march brings me out of my thoughts as Jennifer walks down the aisle on her father’s arm. Her father hands her off to James. I’ll admit, she looks stunning. The gown is strapless, form fitting, and flares at the bottom. The veil is almost as long as her dress, adding drama to the ensemble. I listen as they say traditional vows, every so often, I meet Jace’s gaze and find it hard to tear my eyes away, the words of the ceremony fading into the background.

The bride and groom are announced as husband and wife, and make their way down the aisle together, hand in hand.

Jace catches up with me. “You look…fantastic.”

“Thanks.” I try not to blush. “You look really good, too.”

Inside the ballroom, we find our table. “We should talk tomorrow,” he mentions with a serious tone.

“We should,” I say, agreeing.

Because that was a kiss that I can’t forget.

“But tonight, let’s just celebrate and have fun.”

I nod.

The DJ announces James and Jennifer as Mr. and Mrs. James Prescott, and we all clap as they enter the room. Before dinner, the DJ makes another announcement. “Alright. We need all the single ladies out on the dance floor for the bouquet toss.”

I remain seated, because, technically I’m with Jace…until he tells me, “You have to go up.”

“No. I’m not single.”

“Yes you are. We aren’t married, so you have to go out there.” He all but shoves me.

I make my way and feel like a complete idiot as I stand in the back, so no one notices. Finally, Jennifer tosses the bouquet and it lands right at my feet. So my competitiveness kicks in and I almost have to fight for it as I snatch it up. Everyone claps while I make my way back to the table alive. Jace smiles his big cheesy smile.

“You happy now?” I ask.

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he laughs as I plop the bouquet on the table.

The bride and groom make a toast before dinner is served.

“Just think, you could be hitting on those single girls and taking one home tonight.”

“What makes you think I’d rather be doing that?” he asks.

I shrug. “I just know you like to have a good time with random chicks.”

“Are you saying I’m afraid to commit?”

Yes
.

“I’m saying you like to play the field.”

“Are you comparing me to James? Because that’s totally different. He sleeps around behind peoples’ backs. I’m straight up from the get go. My sleep overs know that after a night of sex, it’s not going anywhere but a cab drive home.”

Somehow, the conversation turns more serious than I intended.

“We’ll continue the conversation tomorrow. Let’s just have fun.” He tosses a jack and coke back.

“You’re right.”

We finish eating, and the bride and groom start to slow dance to a song. Then people flock to the dance floor, and Jace holds his hand out to me. “Come on and dance with me.”

“It’s a slow song.”

“So. We are going to dance to every song tonight,” he tells me. Jane offers me a wink when I look at her for help. I am
not
a dancer. “Just follow my lead.”

He brings me in to him. We are so close nothing can squeeze in between us. That’s when I realize I don’t want him to let go of me. He leans in to whisper in my ear. “Have I told you how stunning you look?”

I bring my head back to look in his eyes. “You have. Thank you.”

The song ends and Jace tugs on my hand, leading us off the dance floor as we head to the bar. “Two champagnes.”

“Oh. Fancy,” I tell him jokingly.

“This is a very special toast,” he says when the bartender hands us two glasses. “This is to new beginnings,” he declares.

“I like that. To new beginnings.”

We toast by clinking our glasses together.

Discarding our empty glasses, we make our way back on the dance floor…where I feel like a duck. We only stop to drink and use the restroom. It’s around midnight when I excuse myself to the restroom again but James corners me when he notices I’m alone.

“What? You couldn’t have me so you go for my brother?” he sneers. “Is his dick as good as mine?”

“You are way out of line, James. I suggest you go find your little wifey and stop hassling me. Jace and I have been friends forever. So what I do, and with whom is none of your business anymore. If you make any more trouble for me, or speak to me in a disrespectful manner, I will tell little ole’ Jenny that she wasn’t the only one you were sleeping with.”

James’s face turns white.

Jace approaches us. “What’s going on here?” He notices the strain on my face.

I roll my eyes. “Just James being James.”

I turn and walk into the restroom. James is drunk and doesn’t know what he is saying. So there is no need for a confrontation between brothers.

When I come back out, Jace is there. “What was that about?” he asks.

“Your brother being his usual asshole, drunken self. I handled it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I can handle James. Everything is fine. Let’s go back to the party.” 

We dance until people start to leave. Jace disappears while I bid Mom goodbye as she insists on driving back home. “Call me when you get home.”

Jace meets me, and flashes the bottle of champagne he took. My mouth drops as we run out to the truck. Laughing, Jace passes me the bottle when we get in the truck. “We’ll save that for tomorrow.”

“Good. I want to enjoy at least one more day at the beach.” My head sways, but I’m not drunk. “Wait. You don’t need to be home for the launch of the game?”

“Nah. It should go off without a hitch. That is the last thing I’m worried about.”

When Jace and I get home, I immediately head for the shower. Once I finish, I put on a pair of short pajama shorts and a matching tank. Jace is already sound asleep as I get in bed. I can’t believe how quickly the weekend has passed.

We had everyone fooled, but the only person I am fooling is myself. Because I’m in love with Jace Prescott. Things gradually shifted between us, and I
have
to admit, I’m in love with him. And I really want to feel that kiss on my lips again. Sighing at the thought, I close my eyes and try to sleep.

PRESENT: SIMONE

“Hey, sleepy head,” Jace says when I roll over to face him the next morning.

“Hey.” The smile across my face is instant.

“Did you have fun last night?” he asks, tucking his hands under his pillow as he faces me.

“Yeah. You were fast asleep by the time I got out of the shower.”

“I was a bit tipsy, and it was a long day. But we have the rest of today, and then we’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

“Sounds good.”

“I’m going to grab a shower, and then we can go downstairs and tell Jane and the gang goodbye.”

When Jace goes to shower, I quickly change into my black bathing suit and throw on a pair of white shorts and a red, one-shoulder tank top. I leave my hair in a bun on top of my head from the night before, but adjust it a little. And I leave my face in its natural state. Normally, I wouldn’t leave the house without at least a coating of mascara on my lashes. But who needs makeup when you have the beach? Once I dress, I head downstairs.

“Well, hello, party people,” Jane teases. “You and Jace got in late.”

“I think we were one of the last ones to leave. It was fun, though. Where’s your Mom?” I fill up a mug with coffee and grab a muffin that Janice has out for us. I sit on the barstool next to Jane.

“Mom and Dad went antiquing.”

Moments later, Jace joins us.

“There is the life of the party,” Jane announces.

“Yeah. You guys left early.”

“The kids were getting cranky.”

“Mmmm hmmm.” Jace and I share a look. I think she and Roger wanted some alone time. It seems Jace and I share the same thought.

Roger comes in from loading their luggage in the car. “We should get going.”

Jace and I hug them all goodbye, and wave as they pull out of the driveway. Then it’s just us two.

“Do you want to go for a walk along the beach before it gets crowded?”

“Yeah, sure.” I follow Jace out as he slides the glass doors open. I close it behind us. We walk close to water’s edge, where it rushes in to touch our toes. I can tell Jace has something on his mind. I give him time to sort out his thoughts while we walk. The beach isn’t crowded yet, and I take in the serenity as silence envelopes us. The surprising thing is Jace is holding my hand. This time it’s not for show.

Jace finally starts to speak. “I am just going to come out and say I’m in love with someone.”

My heart drops.

“And she’s my best friend. I made it clear last night I’m nothing like my brother. I’d never hurt you in any way. I’ve only ever loved you. I chose you when I was sixteen. But I was afraid we were too young to know what love was, or that I’d fuck it up somehow. And I’d never want to lose our friendship. It’s always been me and you. I love you. I never have wanted anyone else.”

My heart stops.

He continues. “Whether you feel the same or not, I had to let my feelings known because I can’t keep it inside anymore. No matter what, we’ll always be friends. But I’d really like to be more than friends. You are the only one I see a future with, and you already fit into the family.”

I wait a few beats before speaking. My thoughts are trying to catch up to everything he said.

“Since you were so brutally honest, I am going to confess that I’m in love with you, too. Head over heels in love, as stupid and cliché as it sounds. It took me a little longer to realize you are the one I want. The one that’s been right there all along. I want to be with you. And those lips…geez...they freaking branded me. This weekend really opened my eyes to the possibility of us. I was playing the part, but it was real. It feels real.”

“Come here.” Jace pulls me into him, and kisses me passionately this time. The water swooshes in and licks our feet. “God. I love kissing you.”

I try to catch my breath as I say, “I don’t mind it at all.” I laugh, and we turn and head back toward the house.

Jace asks, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

“In five years, I hope my career continues growing. I hope to be married, have a toddler, and a baby on the way. Do you want kids?”

“Of course. Hey. Why don’t we get married?”

At first, I think Jace is joking. But I notice the look on his face. “You’re serious?”

“Yes. We could get married Labor Day weekend. I’d do it now, but everyone left. Plus, I know you’d want Jane there, and she’d kill us if we left her out, anyway.”

I chuckle, because I know he’s right. “So you want to get married in two months?”

“Yeah. We already have the location,” he opens his arms, signaling the beach, “and I know a preacher, and you know someone in the fashion world. All we need is a caterer.”

“And I know a caterer,” I tell him. “Oh my god. Are we really going to do this?”

Stopping, he brings me into him again. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me now. We can do the wedding however you want, though. I was just thinking out loud.”

“I like the way you think.”

Separating, we walk hand in hand back to the house.

Jace’s mom and dad are home.

“Where did you two kids go? And why are you both grinning like that?” Janice eyes us suspiciously.

Jace and I look at each other before I tell her the news. “I think we just got engaged. And we wanted to know if we could have the wedding here on the beach, Labor Day weekend?”

Janice’s eyes water. “Really? Oh my god. I’m so happy for you both. Of course you can get married here.” She and Jacob both hug us again.

The four of us celebrate by going out to dinner. Afterward, I call Jane to tell her the news. She is so happy for us. I think her squealing made my ears bleed. I can’t believe I’m getting married in two months to my best friend. I love him so much. And he was there this whole time.

It’s dark out now, and I find myself sitting on the beach. Jace comes out with two glasses and the bottle of champagne he stole from the reception. I almost laugh at the thought. Actually, I haven’t stopped smiling all day.

Jace passes me a glass, and we toast to our new beginnings. Just as I sip the drink, fireworks light up the sky. Jace is sitting behind me, and I lean back into his chest as we watch the light show. With his arms wrapped around me, he kisses the top of my head. This is, by far, the best day ever.

The fireworks end, but we remain looking into the night sky while we listen to the waves crashing in.

“Do you know how many stars are up there?” Jace asks.

“A lot,” I say, remembering back to when we were eight and snuck out to stargaze.

“One hundred billion,” Jace answers. He points. “And there is your star, and right next to yours is mine. So we’ll always be together.”

“Promise?” I ask.

“Pinkie Promise.”

THE END