Promise Me Forever

by Jules Bennett

  Katie watched as the two gushed over each other. Their love couldn’t be more evident. Again, she had to push aside her own issues to deal with this dynamic couple.

  Jasper had filled Katie in that Zoe was a hot air balloon operator, which was freaking fabulous, and Oliver was an oncologist. The two were busy with their jobs and their two kids, but when Oliver had called, he’d been adamant that the lessons be on this day to celebrate his wife’s birthday.

  “Have either of you taken lessons before?” Katie asked.

  “That’s a hard no from me,” Oliver laughed.

  “I dance around the house or at weddings and that’s about it.”

  Katie clasped her hands in front of her and nodded. “No problem. We have people all the time who have never danced.”

  “I hope we’re dressed okay,” Zoe stated. She pushed a hand through her wildly curly blond hair. “I didn’t know where we were going and Oliver just told me to be comfortable but dressy.”

  Katie took in Zoe’s simple red sundress and flat sandals. “You’re both perfect.”

  “Does that mean I don’t have to wear spandex?” Oliver joked.

  “Not unless you really wanted to,” Katie replied. “I’m sure we could find you something.”

  He held up his hands. “Oh, I’m good. Thanks.”

  Zoe swatted at his stomach. “Ignore him. Just tell us what to do. I promise he’ll be a team player.”

  Oliver snaked an arm around his wife’s waist and tugged her against his side. “This is your night. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Zoe joked.

  The tug of envy toward this couple hit Katie. What would it be like to have a man who would do anything for you? Who would take you ballroom dancing for your birthday as a surprise?

  You had a man who would do anything for you.

  “I worked on a routine with a fast, fun beat.” Katie moved over to corner with the computer and music system. “Unless you guys prefer something else.”

  “I’m just excited to be here.” Zoe beamed. “Fast and fun sound just like us.”

  Katie put on the salsa tune she’d chosen for this particular couple. Jasper had given her details about them that helped her choose the music, the dance, and hopefully set the right mood. She wanted this to be a night this couple remembered forever.

  Once the catchy beat filled the room, Katie turned back to the couple. “Okay, what we’re going to do first is face the mirror. I’ll do a couple of simple steps and then you try them. Sound easy enough?”

  Over the next several minutes, Katie showcased a few of the basic moves for a salsa. She wasn’t at all surprised how quick they picked up the steps.

  Oliver and Zoe seemed to have their own silent communication. They’d catch each other’s eyes in the reflection, Zoe would smile, and Oliver would flash her a wink. Katie kept going with the lesson, but the longer the two hours went on, the more and more Katie wondered what it would be like to have someone that far into your life, you could communicate without speaking. She wondered if she’d thrown everything away by pushing Roman out of her life.

  She feared she’d never find a man like him. Considering she hadn’t had another serious relationship in her life, she had to reevaluate what she truly wanted. Did she want someone who made her feel alive, who made her ache and long for a bond like no other? Or did she want to keep going through her life focused solely on dance?

  Katie loved her job, loved the idea of opening her own place, but at the end of the day, who would she come home to? Who would she share her excitement with over teaching little ones a pirouette? Or who would help her set up props for dance recitals?

  Who would she take with her when she took advantage of Zoe’s hot air balloon rides?

  By the time the class ended and the happy couple strolled out the door hand in hand, Katie realized she was going to have to make a decision about the next chapter in her personal life. There was only one thing she could do. Go get her man back.

  Chapter Ten

  Nearly a week had passed since he’d seen Katie. Roman actually had one of his top crew members come in and take over for a couple of days. Roman had opted to check in on the second house he’d lined up to renovate. He spent some time discussing with those owners their specifics and making sure he had the proper materials on order.

  But now he was due back at Tilly’s house and he only hoped he didn’t have to run into Katie. Seeing her again, knowing he’d never have her was just more than he wanted to deal with…again.

  On the other hand, though, he wanted to see her. Damn if that didn’t make him a masochist. She still stirred something so deep within him each time he thought of her and their last night together. No woman had ever come close to his Katie.

  But she pushed him away once again.

  As he pulled into her drive he saw her bike propped against the side of the house and her yellow Jeep in the garage. He checked the clock on his dash and wondered why she was home when she typically left for the studio by this time of the morning. His crew member had mentioned that she’d been gone most of the time he’d been around.

  Roman wasn’t one to hide and lick his wounds. But at the same time, just seeing her was damn difficult. She’d made it clear they were over and he would have to respect her decision. That didn’t mean he’d avoid her. He’d taken a few days to regroup, but he was back and ready to kick it into gear to get this house done so he could move on.

  So if he had to face her, to speak to her, then so be it. Maybe she was here today thinking it was safe since Roman had been missing for a few days. He’d be able to tell her true feelings the moment he saw her. She’d never been able to mask her emotions or lie.

  Actually, she had lied. She’d kept the secret from him about being able to have more children. Had she come to him years ago when everything happened, he would’ve sought out another specialist. He could’ve talked to her about adopting if that’s what she wanted. But she’d opted to push him away and then just walk out.

  Fear had her running eight years ago and fear had her running now. He was done. He was done denying the fact that they belonged together. He was going to march in there and tell her he forgave her. Getting angry about that secret wouldn’t change things now. If that’s all that was holding her back, they could work through it.

  With a newfound purpose for this day, Roman stepped from his work truck and headed up the drive toward the back porch. The ocean waves crashed in the distance, but he couldn’t take advantage of the beach today. The only thing he wanted, the only person he wanted, was inside and she was going to likely be surprised at seeing him.

  Roman used the key Tilly had given him and unlocked the back door. When he opened it, he listened for Katie. The house was completely quiet. He walked into the kitchen, stepping over the tools and materials. The entire first floor was empty.

  He called for her at the base of the steps, but nothing. He knew she was home since her car and bike were here.

  Turning his attention toward the back of the house, he headed through the kitchen and out the enclosed patio. There in the distance was Katie. The sun shown bright, only giving him a silhouette image, but he’d know that body anywhere. He jerked his boot laces and quickly ridded himself of his work boots and socks. He rolled the hem of his jeans up and made a quick path to his woman.

  The skirt of her dress flapped in the wind against her calves. Her hair danced around her shoulders. Roman didn’t take his eyes off her as he closed the distance between them.

  Without saying a word, he came to stand beside her. Katie’s gasp had him smiling as he stared off into the horizon.

  “I didn’t think you’d be back,” she finally said.

  “Had some things to do.” Not a total lie, but she didn’t need to know how hurt he’d been. From this point on, he wasn’t allowing anyone to be hurt—least of all the woman who was terrified of a future with no children.

  “This dance studio you’
re opening,” he started, hooking his thumbs through his belt loops. “You’re only teaching children?”

  From the corner of his eye, he saw her jerk her attention toward him. “Um…yes. Why?”

  “You’ll be an excellent teacher for them. Have you heard from the bank?”

  Now he did turn and risk a glance at her. She smoothed her hair over one shoulder and attempted to hold it all together.

  “Not yet. Is that why you came here? To talk about my studio?”

  Roman shook his head. “I came to talk about your future.”

  “What about it?”

  “When you get that loan, I’m going to renovate your building.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth to speak. “Until that happens, I’m going to date you. I’m going to show you exactly how perfect we are together, how much I don’t care about your infertility. I’m going to show you that there’s a reason we came back together after all this time.”

  Katie closed her eyes and dropped her head, her hands falling to her sides. Her shoulders shook and for a second he thought she was crying. Roman reached for her, but then her head snapped up and she had the widest smile on her face.

  “Is something funny?” he asked.

  “Actually, yes.” Katie reached up to grip both of his wrists. “I asked Zoe when she could take us up in her hot air balloon. Once I told her my plan, she was making a special time for us.”

  Shocked, and quite a bit hopeful, Roman took a step closer until their torsos brushed together. “And what plan was this?”

  Katie reached up and framed his face. “I was going to tell you that if you forgive me for pushing you away, for not telling you why I was setting you free, that I wanted to give this another try. I…I really think we can work, but I’m afraid.”

  Roman’s knees nearly gave out. He rested his forehead against hers. “Be afraid, Katie, but please don’t push me away again. I can’t handle losing you a second time. And as far as forgiving you? Consider it done. I want my Katie back. We can see other doctors or we can adopt. I’ll do anything you want.”

  Katie eased back. “You’re awfully sure this is going to be forever.”

  With a quick twist, he had her dipped backward as he banded her waist with his arm. He leaned down over her and briefly touched his lips to hers before pulling back.

  “I positive this will be forever.”

  “Promise me,” she said, reaching up to loop her arms around his neck. “Promise me forever.”

  Roman returned her smile. “Forever won’t be long enough.”

  Thank You for Joining Me

  Thank you so much for joining me in Mimosa Key! I hope you’ve enjoyed this novella as much as I enjoyed writing it. Escaping to the beach is always a great idea! I’d like to thank Roxanne St. Claire for inviting me into this amazing world she created.

  If you enjoyed PROMISE ME FOREVER, you can check out my first Barefoot Bay novella:

  FIGHTING FOR HIS WIFE

  I also write contemporary romance for Harlequin Desire, Harlequin Special Edition, and Kensington. Here are a few suggestions if you’d like to check out my longer stories!

  THE COWBOY’S SECOND-CHANCE FAMILY

  (Book 1 in a new series)

  TWIN SECRETS

  (Book 1 in a new series)

  WRAPPED IN YOU

  (Book 1 in a trilogy)