You Promised Me Forever (Forever Yours #1)(40)

He can do anything he sets his mind to.

“Yes,” I tell him with a faint smile. “Yes, I definitely want to go to London with you. I’ve always wanted to go there.”

His smile is one of pure relief. “We can make this work.”

“Easy for you to say.” I’m teasing, but then again, I’m not. It is easy for him to say. It’s not so easy when I’m living a normal life and can’t take off whenever I want.

If you would’ve stayed with Jordan through it all, maybe you’d be his wife. Maybe you’d be traveling everywhere with him right now.

I push that nagging voice to the corner of my brain.

“Just put in for some vacation time or whatever,” he says.

“It’s hard to do it so last minute, though. They’ll need to find someone to cover for me,” I explain.

“And that might be difficult?”

“Sometimes.” Truthfully? I don’t know. But I’ve seen management scramble when someone calls in sick before, especially when it’s for an unexpected and extended period of time.

“I really want you to go,” he says in that determined voice I instantly recognize. “We could stay for a few extra days. Explore the city.”

Hope fills me, along with a healthy dose of excitement. “That sounds amazing,” I say softly.

He brings his phone closer to his face, and it’s like a shock to my system. Will I ever get over how handsome he is? “I’ve never been to London before.”

“Me either.” I’ve never really traveled out of the U.S., minus my extended weekend trip to Mexico with some of my girlfriends. It was for a friend’s bachelorette trip. We all saved up, shared one hotel room at a resort, and had the time of our lives. I got a little wild and crazy and hooked up with an extremely drunk, extremely cute guy from South Carolina. I liked his drawl. He liked my ass. I’ve never had a one-night stand before until then. Once I returned home, I never spoke to him again. It was a match made in wild-weekend-in-Mexico heaven.

“We could stay in a swank hotel,” Jordan says, knocking me from my thoughts.

I almost laugh, keeping my gaze fixed on him. Why am I dwelling on some drunk guy from my past when I can focus on this very gorgeous, sweet man talking to me at this very moment? “Swank, huh?”

“We’re provided rooms during the trip, but I could find another hotel. Somewhere nicer.” His voice goes deeper. “More private.”

The look in his eyes says it all. He’s envisioning many hours in that hotel bed. With me.

So am I.

With him.

“I want to sightsee, not just spend the entire time in bed,” I tease, going for bold. It feels almost…weird to talk to Jordan this way, since that sort of thing used to embarrass me when I was a shy teen.

But now, screw it. I’m a grown woman. I’m not going to play coy.

He smirks. “We can sightsee and spend plenty of time in bed,” he reassures. “Trust me.”

His words take hold of my heart, squeezing it tight. I’m desperate to trust him. To trust in him.

To trust in us.





The weekend went by so fast I barely had time to think, let alone sleep. We flew into Florida, practiced our asses off and sweated our asses off since it was so damn humid, and then proceeded to destroy the opposing team. We went out and celebrated at a brand new nightclub that wanted us there—specifically me—but I bailed after an hour. I had no interest in drinking, and definitely no interest in meeting any women.

Overall, the weekend was good. Only thing missing was Amanda.

It’s Monday and I’m home now. Arrived only an hour ago and I’m already itching to see her. It’s barely four in the afternoon, so she’s still working.

As proud as I am of her career success, I can admit to myself I resent the hell out of her job. When I want to do something with her, treat her by taking her somewhere special with me, her job is the roadblock that reminds me of what we could’ve had if she’d just stuck by my side.

I know without a doubt we’d still be together if she hadn’t broken up with me. We’d probably even be married by now.

But would I have been a total jerk and not let her pursue a career? I can provide her with anything she wants, but would I have convinced her not to work, just so I could have her all to myself?

That’s kind of an asshole move. And though I used to be a complete and total asshole when I was younger, I like to think I’m not that same guy anymore.

Unable to stand it any longer, I finally hop in my SUV and head for her workplace. The drive should’ve only taken me twenty minutes but ended up being almost an hour. Lots of stop and go traffic on the freeway that tested my patience.

I have none right now. None whatsoever.

I’m dying to see her.

Finally, I pull into the parking lot right at five o’clock, and I spot her immediately. She’s waving at her friend as they part ways, her steps determined as she starts heading for the bus stop that’s located right in front of the wellness center. She’s got on the red polo and black pants outfit again, and her hair is pulled back into a simple braid, little wisps of dark hair catching the breeze as she walks. When she draws closer, I roll down my window and call out her name.

She comes to a sudden stop, her eyes widening when she spots me. Without hesitation, she jogs toward the car, her eyes sparkling, her smile huge.