Free Pinkie Promises (A Promises Novella #1) by Renea Porter

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.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
     
     
     
    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