Free Promise to Keep by Jessica Wood Page A

then throw away the keys. It’s supposed to symbolize unbreakable love.” He moved closer to me, leaving only a few inches between us. “I got this love lock for us because I wanted to let you know that I’ll always be here for you, and you don’t ever need to worry about being lonely.”
    He reached for the red heart-shaped lock in my hands and turned it over. “I had it inscribed for us. Take a look.”
    Completely blown away by his touching gesture, I was speechless as I looked down at the lock and saw the inscription etched on the back:
    Jax & Clo
    June 2003
    Unbreakable Friendship & Love.
    Promise to Marry in 2014.
     
    “Jax, this is the sweetest thing anyone’s ever given me.” Tears blinded me as I threw my arms around him, burying my face into his neck and inhaling his inviting scent.
    “Clo,” he whispered in my ear. “I’m so happy that you like it.”
    I pulled away to look up at him and smiled. “Like it? Jax, I love it. I’ve been so worried about how things will change with our friendship when college starts. This is exactly the type of reassurance I needed.”
    He beamed at me. “So does that mean you still agree to the pact?” He looked at me hopefully.
    I giggled, surprised that he’d even think that I could possibly say no. “Of course, silly.” I looked down at the love lock. “So what exactly are we supposed to do?”
    He took the lock from me and we walked up to the edge of the bridge where the railing was. Then he held my hands with his and looked into my eyes.
    “Clo, you’ve been my best friend for the past eleven years, and I know you’ll be my best friend for the rest of my life. I don’t know where life will take us, but I know that we will always be by each other’s sides. We made a pact when we were thirteen to marry each other if we are both single when we turn thirty. Today, we’re going to seal that pact with this love lock, which will symbolize our unbreakable friendship, love, and promise to marry each other.”
    He handed me the love lock. “Do you want to do the honors?”
    I nodded and took the lock and latched it against the railing.
    “Promise?” I looked into his rich, emerald eyes—those eyes that always had a way of making me feel at home.
    “Promise.” He beamed at me and placed his hands on top of mine as we both secured the love lock onto the bridge railing and locked it in place.
    I removed the key from the lock. We both looked at the tiny key and then at each other and smiled. He gave me a nod before I threw the key over the railing and watched it disappeared into the lake without a sound.
    “Looks like you’ll be stuck with me if we’re both single in twelve years,” I joked.
    Instead of laughing along, he surprised me as he pulled me into his arms and whispered in my ear, “You’re my best friend, Clo. You won’t ever have to worry about being alone. I’ll always be here for you when you need me.”
    He pulled back a little so he could face me, leaving only a few inches between us as we gazed into each other’s eyes. As his hand gently pushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear, I felt an exquisite tingle run down my body from where his fingers grazed my skin. He kissed me sweetly on my forehead, causing my body to buzz with emotions. As his face lingered near mine, I thought he was about to kiss me.
    He didn’t.
    I knew I should feel relieved that he didn’t kiss me, we were just friends and I didn’t think he liked me like that, but I couldn’t help feeling a tinge disappointment wash through me when he didn’t.
    But as he pulled me deep into his arms, and I sank into his inviting embrace, those feelings of disappointment was overshadowed by the happiness that spread through me like a warm blanket on a cold day. Despite everything that’d happened in my life, I felt hopeful. I knew that no matter what the future held for me, Jackson would always be there.
    “Here’s to your thirtieth birthday,” he said playfully when he