Three Broken Promises (30 page)

A happy wreck, though. Life is good. I have friends who care about me. I’ve attempted to contact my parents and though we’ve talked only briefly, I plan on going back home and seeing them someday soon. It’s a step in the right direction. Our relationship isn’t ruined forever, but it’s definitely not perfect. I need to fix it. They need to fix it too, and I hope they realize how their neglect affected me.

Colin promised he’ll go with me back to Shingletown. He says he’s ready to see his mom again too.

And then there’s Colin. He’s so supportive, so encouraging. I don’t look at his treatment of me as coddling or controlling any longer. It’s just his way, a way that I’ve come to accept. He just wants to take care of those he loves. And he loves me. Passionately. Whole-heartedly.

Completely.

The dreams have mostly stopped. Of course, I’m in bed with him every night and I think that helps. But I also believe he’s found peace with Danny’s death and let go of all the guilt that weighed him down. He confessed to me what happened between him and Danny the day my brother joined the military. As if it were some sort of deep, dark secret.

I’d suspected some of it but never had any confirmation. Danny had seemed irritated with Colin before he left. I’d tried to ask why, but he always cut me off or worse, told me it was none of my damn business.

So I left it alone.

Colin was so relieved after making his confession, he hugged me close in bed and proceeded to cry against my chest. Shedding his tears, shedding his guilt. Afterward, he admitted he felt cleansed and that he was so thankful for my easy acceptance.

As if he had no idea
his
easy acceptance made it that much more possible for me to deal with what I’ve done. The choices I’ve made. He doesn’t hold them against me.

He just . . . holds
me.
And tells me he loves me.

Constantly.

“Break it up, break it up.” Colin approaches, using his stern boss voice, saying what he always does when he finds Fable and me together. “Don’t you two need to get back to work?”

“I’m here as a guest,” Fable says smugly. “So no bossing me around tonight.”

“And I run this joint,” I say teasingly. “Or haven’t you heard?”

“Who’s the crazy guy who put you in charge?” He slips his arm around my shoulders and kisses me, his soft, warm lips lingering. I lean into the kiss, then step away, slowly shaking my head. “Hey, I need to maintain a certain image here, you know? No kissing on the job.”

“Well, that’s a damn shame,” he drawls, smiling at me. The sight of his smile sends a bolt of longing through me so strong, I nearly sway toward him.

“Stop, you two. You’re making me sick,” Fable says, wrinkling her nose.

“Gimme a break,” Colin says, rolling his eyes with a smile. “Where’s
your
boy toy? I know you two can’t keep your hands off each other.”

“He’s scoping out a table with Owen.” Fable stands straighter, her expression going serious. “Thanks for giving me the night off and letting us come for the opening tonight, Colin, and for hiring Owen part-time. He’s so excited to start working at the restaurant he can barely stand it.”

Colin hired Owen as a busboy. He’ll start after the football season ends, right when the busy holiday season starts. He’s applied for a work license and everything, taking his first real job very seriously. Fable is so happy she can hardly stand it. She’s trying so hard to keep her brother on track, as is Drew.

I love that Colin wants to help them out too. He’s careful, though, never wanting to offend Fable since she can be kinda prickly when it comes to so-called handouts.

No wonder we’re such good friends.

He likes Owen a lot and is confident he’ll be a great worker, and so am I. All five of us have hung out together more than once. Colin and I have invited all three of them over for dinner. Drew and Colin seem to be getting along well too, which I think is awesome. Fable, Drew, and Owen—they all feel like they’re a part of my family.

So does Colin, but he’s always felt like family to me. Now we’ve taken it that much more seriously . . .

He’s become my everything.

“I’m gonna put that brother of yours to work,” Colin promises Fable, his arm lowering to slide around my waist. He pulls me in so I’m nestled at his side. We’re a perfect fit and I gaze up at him adoringly. “I know he can handle it, though.”

Fable nods and smiles, her gaze going from me to Colin. “You two are so damn cute together. Took you long enough.”

“I’m pretty sure you’ve already said that to us,” I remind her wryly.

“And it needs to be said a few more times, I think.” She steps toward us both and kisses my cheek, then Colin’s. “I gotta go find my men. I’ll talk to you later, Jen?”

“I’ll need you to rescue me, yeah,” I say as she waves at us and then walks away.

“She’s a good friend,” Colin says close to my ear.

I nod, smiling up at him. “The best. But so are you.”

He kisses me, like he can’t help it. “Right back at ya, baby.”

Warmth suffuses me, his love taking hold and giving me the courage I need to keep on top of this night, on the most important day of my career. “I need to go manage the front entry,” I tell him, kissing his cheek. “Wish me luck?”

“No.” He drops a kiss on the tip of my nose as I glare at him. “You don’t need it. You got this and you know it.”

I love his confidence in me. I freaking need it, especially right now. I’m a wreck. “I’m nervous,” I whisper. “So thank you for that.”

“Anytime, babe. You know I’ve got your back.” He hugs me, his mouth at my ear, nibbling on it. “I love you. So much.”

“I love you too.” My heart swells, and the nausea that plagued me the last hour or so evaporates completely.

Having this man by my side, I’m the luckiest girl in the world.

Colin

I watch her move about the restaurant, handling everything with calm efficiency, and pride ripples through me. She greets everyone who enters the door with a warm smile and introduces herself to the chamber of commerce members we invited for The District’s grand opening.

The parking lot is full, yet the people keep on coming. A local radio station set up outside, broadcasting live and encouraging their listeners to come and check us out. Every table is occupied, the bar is at full capacity, and the front lobby has so many people waiting to be seated they spill outside, waiting on benches, their kids dancing to the top-forty music the radio station is playing.

It’s a rousing success, all thanks to Jen. I wanted her to stay here in Redding permanently, more than willing to sacrifice and endure a long-distance relationship so she could take on this management position. She’s so damn good at it, I’m afraid the guy I have lined up to replace her won’t measure up.

Of course, no one can measure up to my Jen.

She refused, though. Simply told me she couldn’t stand to be that far away from me. She loves me too damn much and didn’t want us to be apart.

How can I refuse her?

“Hello, son.”

My spine stiffens, and I slowly turn around to find my dad standing before me.

“Hey,” I greet him weakly, giving him a quick hug. “How are you?”

“I’m good. Look at you, all dressed up. Quite the restaurant you have here. Looks good.”

“Thanks.” He drives me crazy, but I can’t help but be proud at his meager compliment. He took his father’s restaurant and turned it into something more. And I’ve gone and done the same, over and over again. I want him to be proud of me. Despite our tangled past, I’m still the kid who wants his dad’s approval.

I’m also pleased he showed up. I’d extended the invitation out of courtesy, never believing he’d actually come.

“Kind of surprised you came,” I say, immediately feeling like a jackass for saying it.

“Well, you did invite me,” Dad reminds me. “And I’m never one to pass up a free meal.”

I laugh. Thank God he relieved the tension.

“I saw your Jenny.”

“Yeah?” Warmth fills me at his calling her my Jenny. She
is
mine. Glad he realizes that, too.

“She looks nervous. I told her not to worry. She can handle it.” That he even said that shocks the hell out of me. Maybe he’s doing it just to make me happy, I don’t know. I’m glad for his support of Jen, though. I don’t want to fight.

I’m so damn sick of fighting.

“So. How’s work going for you?” I ask pointedly. He gives me some vague answer but I accept it. After I gave him the money, we had a long talk about his gambling problem and how he needed to get it under control. My dad’s compulsive ways finally got him into major trouble, and luckily enough I was able to bail him out. But I warned him I wouldn’t do it again. He needed to seek out help. So he did, in the form of a therapist, who he sees once a week.

After ensuring my dad has a table to eat at, I take off toward the front of the restaurant in search of Jen. I find her standing by the hostess’s desk, leaning against it as if she needs it to hold her up. Her shoulders are slumped and her head is bent, but she has a giant smile on her face.

Tired but happy, that’s how I read her.

The moment she spots me headed toward her, her eyes light up and she comes for me until we meet in the middle. “Hi,” she greets me breathlessly. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”

Laughing, I reach out and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Why do you say that?”

“Have you seen how busy this place is? It’s crazy.” Her smile fades the slightest bit though her eyes are still sparkling. “I saw your dad.”

“I know. He told me.”

“He was nice to me.” She smiles.

“I’m glad.” I drift my index finger down her soft cheek, getting momentarily lost in her eyes. I could almost forget we’re at the restaurant.

Almost.

“He said he’s happy that we’re together.” Jen leans into me, pressing her forehead to my chin, a sweet, trusting gesture. “So am I, I told him.”

Fuck yes, I’ll second that. “Baby, as soon as we can, let’s get out of here. I want to take you home.”

“Colin.” She rolls her eyes, pulling away from me. “This is my restaurant and we’re having our opening night. I can’t just bail.”

“Oh yes, you can. Especially when the owner of said restaurant tells you to.” I cross my arms in front of my chest, going all mean boss on her. “Your work is done here tonight. Let’s go home.”

“But . . .”

“No buts,” I tell her. “We’re leaving. Now.”

She smiles, her eyes full of promise. “I really like it when you use that stern voice on me.”

“I know. Why do you think I use it?” Chuckling, I place my hand at the small of her back and steer her through the crowd, making our way to the short hallway that leads to the manager’s office. The moment I get her in there, I shut and lock the door, pressing her against the wall with my body, effectively trapping her there.

She places her hands on my shoulders, not to push me away but to pull me closer to her. Our lips meet and cling. I slide my tongue against hers, taking the kiss deeper, and she moans into my mouth before breaking her lips from mine. “We so shouldn’t do this here.”

“Why? We christened
my
office. Let’s do the same for yours.”

She rolls her eyes but she’s smiling, her hands running down the front of my chest slowly, feeling every inch of me. I harden, ready to take her right here against the wall, but I don’t want to push if she’s not into it.

This is something else we’ve discussed extensively. Her past, and how certain things still trigger the bad memories. I’ve come to grips with what she’s done, trying my best not to let it bother me. Though I’d be a damn liar if I said it didn’t . . .

But what she did has nothing to do with who we are now. I know that, and so does she.

“What would you say if I wanted to take on the managerial position here after all?” she asks, her voice casual though I see the apprehension in her eyes.

My heart tightens and my first response is an automatic
hell, no
. But that’s not fair. “Is that what you really want?”

She slowly shakes her head. “No. I just wanted to hear you say I could do whatever I wanted. I shouldn’t test you.” Sighing, she pulls me in closer, so close a piece of paper couldn’t fit between our two bodies. “I can’t wait to work with you, as your partner.”

“I can’t wait either,” I answer. “Maybe someday you can be my partner in every sense of the word.”

Her eyes go huge. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely.” I nod, not surprised to realize I am. “Now that you’re truly mine, I want to make it real.”

“It’s already real,” she murmurs.

“I know, but I’m making it permanent. You’ll be mine.” Leaning in, I kiss her. Once, twice, our lips clinging, our bodies heating until I pull away first. “I’ll be yours. We can work together. Get engaged. Get married.”

“Oh my God,” she breathes, those dark brown eyes of hers still wide and full of hope and excitement.

“Does that work for you?” I ask, and she nods.

“You really want to marry me?”

“I’d do anything for you,” I vow solemnly. “Haven’t you realize that yet?”

“I have.” Smiling, she kisses me, wrapping her arms around my neck and squeezing me close. “I love you so much, Colin Wilder.”

“I love you too, Jennifer Lynn Cade.” I slip my hand up, curving my fingers around her neck, lightly tracing the butterfly tattoo that I’ve touched hundreds of times before. A shiver moves through her and I smile.

Her smile grows. “Remember that time you woke me up and called me sweet cheeks?”

“Hell yeah.” My voice goes soft and my body goes hard as I nuzzle the side of her face. “You do have a pretty sweet pair of cheeks, you know.”

“So do you,” she whispers. “Maybe you should go settle those sweet cheeks of yours on the desk so we can fool around on top of it.”

I raise my brows. “Fool around, you say?” That sounds promising.

Of course, anytime I can be with her, naked and alone, is promising. The more we’re together, the better it gets. Something I believed wasn’t possible.

Slowly she nods. “Yeah. Though, hmm.” Pulling out of my embrace, she turns and studies the desk, tapping her pursed lips with her index finger. I let my greedy gaze roam the length of her, taking in the crisp white shirt, the sexy-as-hell black skirt that fits her body like a glove. Just looking at her makes me break out in a sweat.