Pinkie Promises (A Promises Novella #1)

by Renea Porter

  “Until they kicked us out. But you and Jace left early.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

  “I’m not even going to comment on that. Get to work. Unless you want to talk about you and Jared.” I smirk.

  Clasping her hands behind her back, she steps back. “Nope. I’ll just get started on work.”

  I stifle a giggle, because there is definitely something going on with those two.

  ***

  When work is done, I freshen up in the office and head over to Guy’s loft. It doesn’t take me long to find the place. The loft is right on the edge of the city. A perfect location, and hidden quite well. Entering the elevator…more like a cage, it takes me right into the loft.

  Guy comes over to me with his hand outstretched. “It’s so nice to see you again, Simone.”

  “Thanks for having me.”

  Emily appears from out of nowhere and beams at me. “Yay! You’re here.” She places an arm through mine and guides us to the open kitchen.

  “I hope you like seafood,” Guy tells me as he flips a hand towel over his shoulder.

  “Yeah. Sounds great.”

  “Go ahead and have a seat.” He gestures. “Wine?”

  “Sure. I’d love some.”

  I’m thankful that Emily is here, too. Just so there is no confusion on what this is; a business meeting. Emily hands me a glass of wine and sits next to me.

  “So what kind of work are you into? I know Guy had mentioned you were colleagues.” I take a sip of the red wine, and it goes down smoothly.

  “Oh. That’s what we are going to get into.” With a hand to her chest, she says, “I’m an event planner. So Guy and I have merged our businesses to make one great one.” I try to take turns watching Guy work in the kitchen and listening to Emily.

  Then Guy interjects. “Yeah. We thought between the three of us, we could expand farther and get more business for all of us.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  I know where this is going.

  “What kind of food do you make?” Emily asks, sipping on her wine just as Guy plates the food to bring over. The plate is elegant in its own right.

  “Oh. I make a variety of foods, but I do specialize in baking. However, I have never done weddings. For some reason, that freaks me out.” I try to laugh it off.

  Emily laughs and places a hand on my wrist. “Well, if you are willing to go in with the two of us, your primary job would be baking, and that includes wedding cakes. It’s something for you to think about.”

  “Shall we eat?” Guy asks with raised eyebrows, and remains standing. “I’ve prepared a pan seared chilean sea bass in a roasted red pepper sauce. Let’s eat,” he says, taking a seat across from me.

  “Oh my god. This is amazing,” I say, after taking a bite into the sea bass and sauce. “Wow.” I dot my mouth with the napkin.

  Guy chuckles. “I’m so glad you like it. As Emily was saying, we would love to add you into the mix and make one hell of a business for the three of us.”

  “What about the people I have working for me? What about my office space? How would all this work?”

  I continue eating.

  “Well, they can still work for you. You would have your own space away from the main kitchen. And you would have to sell your office space. There is plenty of room for us at Sous. And your pay would raise you up to close to eighty thousand dollars a year.”

  My eyes widen, and I try not to choke on the food. “Did you say eighty thousand dollars?”

  Emily laughs.

  Guy nods and chuckles. “That’s correct. I have the contract drawn up. Feel free to look them over before you sign them.” He quickly stands to grab the folder and hands it to me.

  After small talk, I stand to leave, contract in hand. “Thank you so much for having me over. I really appreciate it. And I’ll definitely get back with you on this,” I say, flashing the folder.

  Emily comes over and hugs me goodbye, as well as Guy. I already feel comfortable around them, like a little family.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  PRESENT: SIMONE

  After looking over the contract last night, my eyes started to cross. The easiest thing to do is to get a lawyer to look it over. You can never be too careful. Contracts can be tricky. I definitely need another set of eyes.

  Dressing for work, I make my way to the kitchen and put the folder on the counter so I don’t forget to take it with me. I press start on the coffee pot. Five minutes, later Jace comes bounding through the door. “Got time for breakfast?”

  “Sure,” I say, grabbing two thermoses so the coffee doesn’t go to waste. Once those are full I pass one to Jace. With my folder in hand and coffee in the other, I follow him outside.

  “I’ll drive. Then I can drop you off at work and pick you up so you can start packing for the trip. We leave early tomorrow.”

  I nod. “That’s fine.” I let Jace take the lead on most of the conversation because I’m still trying to gauge his attitude for the day.

  He points to my folder. “What’s that? Oh. How did your dinner go?”

  “It went great. Guy and Emily both want me to go into business with them. This is the contract that they gave me to look over. But it’s a bunch of gibberish to me. So I’m going to have a lawyer look it over.”

  Jace pulls into a local diner. Once we enter, we are seated in a booth and menus are placed in front of us. Once the waitress comes over, we go ahead and order two specials with coffee.

  “You know, my brother could look at that for you. He probably wouldn’t even charge you.”

  I cringe at the thought of even having a conversation with James. “I don’t know. Besides, I’m sure he is busy getting ready for the wedding.”

  Jace shrugs. “It’s up to you. Whatever you feel comfortable with.”

  I wrap my hands around the coffee that the waitress brings us. “The meal Guy cooked was amazing. Oh, and I forgot to tell you that Guy is in love with Emily. I totally read that at the party on Saturday. I don’t know the story, but there is something there.” I can’t help but smirk.

  “Oh. So he really isn’t into you?”

  “No. As I said before, it was strictly business. Emily is an event planner, while Guy is in charge of the restaurant.” When the food arrives, I change the subject. “Did you get the game worked out?”

  “Yes. Thank fuck for that. The bugs were harder to get out than I thought. But I worked around the clock to get it fixed. So no interruptions this holiday weekend. What happens with your office if you accept their offer?”

  “My staff comes with me, if they want. And the office would just be up for sale. Guy said there was more than enough space for all of us. And he offered me almost double my yearly salary.”

  “That’s amazing. I hope it all works out for you.”

  I lean back and sink into the booth. “Thanks for breakfast.”

  “You know this is my way of saying I was an ass the other day, right?”

  I smile. “I know.”

  “Come on; I better get you to work.”

  “Actually, I forgot I have some errands to run. Do you mind dropping me off at the apartment? Then I’m meeting Emily and Guy at Sous around lunch time for a tour.”

  “That’s fine. I can do that.” Standing, he throws a few bills on the table. And I try to snatch the check from him, but he’s too quick and holds it so I can’t reach it.

  “One of these days, you are going to let me pay.”

  He smirks and throws an arm across my shoulder. After paying the cashier, we leave and head back to my apartment. I think my old Jace is back.

  “I’m going to get off early so I can get a head start on packing,” I tell Jace as he pulls into my apartment. “See you later.”

  With a quick wave, I hop in my little car and call the office. Leah picks up. “Hey, lady.”

  “Is that how you greet your boss?” I tease.

  “Sorry.”

  “I’m kidding. Do you think you and Jared can handle the pl
ace for an hour, or so?”

  “Sure. Is everything okay?”

  “Oh yeah. I just have something that I need to take care of that can’t wait.”

  “Okay. See you later then.”

  Hanging up the phone, butterflies flutter in my belly as I pull into a familiar building. The plaque on the door reads James Prescott, Attorney at Law.

  The last time I was here, I caught him with his pants down and that slut sucking him off like there was a draught. I shudder at the memory. Walking in, the secretary greets me. She’s a lot older than the last one. “Hi. I’m Simone Rayburn. I’m here to see James Prescott if he’s available.”

  “Of course. Have a seat while I let him know,” she gestures.

  A few moments later, his office door swings open as he appears to greet me. “Simone. What a nice surprise. Come on in,” he motions with a bright smile.

  He stands a foot taller than me, with wide shoulders and a lanky frame. He has the same color hair as Jace, and his eyes are a lighter shade than Jace’s. While Jace is more built, with more meat on his bones.

  “Can I get you a water, or coffee?”

  “No thanks,” I say before sitting in the chair. “I came because I was offered a business opportunity and I’d like you to look over the contract, if you could.”

  Pulling his glasses on, he takes the folder and carefully looks at it. It feels like forever before he takes his glasses off and looks at me. “It’s a really clean contract. Basically, it binds you in for three years before you can move on. You will own one third of the company, and the three of you will split the profits. The salary they are offering is way above average. It details that your staff at Taste can come with you. There are no hidden agendas. It’s a great opportunity for you and I wouldn’t have an issue with you signing it.”

  My shoulders slump. “Doesn’t it sound too good to be true?”

  James chuckles at my apprehension. “Sometimes a good deal is just that. Trust me, I’d never let anyone take advantage of you when it comes to your business.”

  “Great. Thank you so much for looking it over. I appreciate it,” I say, standing to leave.

  “It was nothing.”

  “Make sure you send me a bill for this.” I point at him playfully. “I mean it.”

  “Alright, Simone.”

  “Well, I guess I’ll see you at the wedding.” I pull the door open and don’t look back at his reaction.

  I figured seeing James before the wedding would make it easier when I see him with her. I guess you can call us friendly exes.

  When I arrive at Taste, I call Leah and Jared into my office. They both take a seat across from me.

  “Am I being fired?” Leah asks nervously.

  I can’t help but laugh. “No. If anything, it’s the opposite. You both know how Taste won best catering in the area.”

  Leah and Jared both nod.

  “Well, I have been offered a great opportunity to merge with another company called Sous. And it just so happens that I specialize in baking. They offered me a great salary, and I wanted to know if you two wanted to come with. You’d make a lot more money, but you’ll work harder. It’s a really great opportunity. I already had a lawyer look at the contract.”

  Jared scoots to the edge of his seat. “What about this place?”

  “It’ll go up for sale. Are you guys in?”

  Leah and Jared exchange a look before saying, “Yes,” in unison.

  I beam. “I’m so excited. We probably won’t start until after the holiday. Why don’t you guys go and enjoy the time off?”

  Leah jumps up to wrap her arms around me. “Thank you.”

  “Just be ready to work on Wednesday. Okay?”

  “We will,” Jared says as they wave on the way out of my office.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  SIMONE – Age 14

  “Why are you sitting all the way up here?” Jace asked, stepping onto the roof.

  My knees were tucked under my chin. “Dylan dumped me for one of the cheerleaders.”

  Jace scooted next to me and put an arm around my shoulders, and I leaned my head against him. “You know what? I never liked him anyway.”

  I looked up at him. “How come you never told me that?”

  “Cause… you were happy, and it was your first boyfriend. As long as you’re happy, it doesn’t matter what I think.” Jace nudged my shoulder. “Besides, boys come and go. But me and you will always be best friends.” I think my heart fluttered that very moment.

  “Promise?”

  “I pinkie promise,” he said, hooking his pinkie with mine. “Now, let’s go ask your mom to take us for ice cream.”

  I smiled, because no one knew me better than Jace. He knew ice cream would make everything better. No more sulking.

  Back in the house, we found my mom doing laundry. “Mom, can you take us for ice cream?”

  “Sure. Why don’t you guys go see a movie, too, and I can pick you up when you’re ready?”

  I looked at Jace, who nodded in agreement.

  Jace always let me pick the movie. But I always tried to pick something we both would like.

  Mom dropped us off, and we went inside to see what was playing.

  “Thank you,” I told him as we paid for popcorn.

  “For what?”

  “For being my best friend.”

  “Sure thing. What movie should we see?”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  PRESENT: SIMONE

  Home from meeting Guy and Emily, I grab my suitcase out from under the bed and flip it open on my bed. I scan my closet for all my dresses and realize I am not a dress kind of girl. Most of my wardrobe consists of jeans, T-shirts, tanks, and winter wear. I’m totally screwed. All I have is two dresses one for the wedding and one for another occasion.

  “You decent?” Jace knocks on the wall just outside my bedroom.

  “Yeah. Come in.”

  He assesses the situation, clothes everywhere. “Oh, no.”

  Pulling my hair up into a ponytail, I let out a sigh. “How many dresses do you think I need?”

  He pauses, still looking around my disaster of a room. “Look; you will look good in anything you wear. But I think all you need is a dress for the wedding. Maybe one other one. The rest of the time, I’m sure casual is fine.

  “Maybe I should call Jane to see if she has anything,” I say as panic continues to set in. “No offense, but you’re a guy so you don’t know.”

  “Have I ever steered you wrong, Simone?”

  I smile. “Okay. You have a point. But I’m still going to call her just to bring something extra if I need it.”

  “You do that and I’ll go order Chinese takeout,” Jace tells me as he makes his way to the kitchen where my takeout menus are.

  Grabbing my own phone, I call Jane. “Hey, girlie,” she says into the phone.

  “Hey. I was just packing for the trip and I only have two dresses. Can you bring a few extra in case I need them? My wardrobe mostly consists of jeans, T-shirts, and winter wear.”

  “I got you covered, woman.”

  I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thanks so much. You know I wouldn’t ask unless I really needed to.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I don’t mind. Besides, what are friends for?”

  “Great. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

  “See ya.”

  “Do you feel better now?” Jace asks as he enters the room and settles on my bed to watch me pack. “Food should be here in a half hour.”

  “Yeah. Your sister is going to bring a few extra pieces in case I need them. I feel better now.”

  Jace was lying on his stomach and holding his head up as I moved about the room. “Make sure you pack those cute pajama shorts I like.”

  “You’re a pig.”

  Moving to my underwear drawer, I try to disguise the thongs I need to pack, but it’s not very inconspicuous.

  I turn my back for a second. “How do you even wear these?” He’s holding up
a lacey black thong.

  “Oh my god, Jace.” I snatch it away from him and put it back in my suitcase. There is a knock on the door. “I think the food is here.”

  Before I suffer any more embarrassment, I leave the room. Somehow, Jace beats me to the door. Again, he won’t let me buy the food. At least he keeps me well fed. Everything else is questionable. “I got your favorite, but you have to share,” Jace declares.

  “Give me food before I get hangry.”

  “We definitely don’t want that.”

  He hands over the sweet and sour chicken, and we go to town with chopsticks. With the take out spread on the bar counter, we sit on the stools and eat until our bellies are full.

  “I love that you eat whatever, and don’t eat like a bird because of an event coming up.”

  “I love food too much to give it up for any type of an event. Maybe I would for my wedding if I ever get married.”

  “Hmmm. No. You look good with meat on your bones. Guys like that.”

  I laugh at the notion that Jace knows what guys like because I can’t even remember when he had a serious girlfriend.

  “What’s so funny? Do you not think I know what I’m talking about?”

  I shake my head as I continue to laugh. “Thanks for the food. I need to finish packing, and you need to go instead of analyzing my wardrobe.”

  He pouts. “I swear you are no fun.”

  “Fun time is over. Come over in the morning, I’ll be ready.”

  I almost have to shove him out the door. But I can’t get anything done with him watching and questioning my choice in underwear.

  Once I finish packing, I slip into bed, but it proves useless. My thoughts catch up to me, and it feels hard to breathe. Maybe it’s the holiday jitters, and meeting the new woman in James life. I swallow a hard lump, and do something I’ve never done.

  “Jace,” I call out as I enter his apartment. It’s dark except the light above the stove. My mouth runs dry when he steps out in only a pair of shorts. “What’s wrong?”

  “I…I…can’t sleep.”

  I barely get the words out before he’s standing in front of me. I need him. I need the nearness of him. Something shifts between us that can’t be explained.