The Promise by Jean Oram

Author:Jean Oram [Oram, Jean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-928198-32-1
Publisher: Oram Productions

3

Devon straightened the cuffs on the tuxedo he’d rented for the night’s gala fundraiser sponsored by Carrington Cosmetics. He wasn’t sure what to expect and only hoped he wouldn’t embarrass himself or Olivia. He had to make a good impression tonight.

If he failed he might as well kiss their relationship goodbye, seeing as Olivia was obviously wound up about how her parents would take their friendship. Because even though she said the right words, she had become anxiety incarnate, and the closer they’d crept to the night of the gala, the more reserved she’d become, proving to him that her folks held the cards a little more firmly than she’d led him to believe.

As he let himself out of his dorm, laughing off the catcalls from his buddies, he mentally reviewed the collection of etiquette tips Olivia had been slipping in here and there over the past week as her nervousness grew. As much as he’d been kidding himself that their relationship was merely about burning off their attraction, it had become something much more addictive. Much more consuming and meaningful. For both of them.

He had to make tonight work. He had to dazzle and shine, because he’d rather jump in front of a stock car going at top speed than allow her to be crushed by his failings.

Devon’s phone rang as he left campus to meet Olivia at her condo. It was his brother, Ethan.

“Did you ask her?” Devon asked without preamble.

“Chickened out.”

Devon sighed. It wasn’t the first time Ethan had summoned up the courage to ask Dani to marry him, and had then backed out. Maybe somewhere deep down inside, his brother feared his relationship ending like their parents’ had.

Devon understood those doubts. The fear. The suspicion that at some point, no matter how deeply you felt, that you might end up like his mother had with Devon’s dad—you and your love simply wasn’t enough.

Occasionally those doubts sneaked in, attempting to steal the joy he felt around Olivia, to overwhelm what they had with expectations for the future. But over the past few weeks, each passing day had only added layer upon layer to their growing relationship, making it stronger and tighter than anything he’d ever experienced.

He was in deep and he’d be kidding himself if he said he hadn’t fallen in love. He wanted to fit into her life so fully, entwine so deeply, that they no longer knew where their individual lives started and ended.

Which, again, meant he needed to ace tonight.

As he ended the call with his brother, having joked around until Ethan got out of his funk, Olivia came to the door of her condo, looking resplendent in a long gown that swirled around her like a dream. Every curve he’d come to know and adore was showcased by the stunning design. It was as though the designer was in love with her form as much as Devon was, and wanted to show it off.

It made him want to whisk his girlfriend away, make love to her all night.

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