Page 10 of Promise Me Never

“I’m on over thirteen acres. It’s a big house. Too big for one person, really, but…it suits. I have a view of the pond from my terrace, surrounded by trees. It feels like living in the middle of a park. So peaceful.”

“Sounds amazing,” Savannah said. “You must be eager to get back.”

“I am, but I’d rather get to know you better first.”

Maybe she hadn’t ruined things after all. She walked over to him and put her arms around him. “I would love that. You could really stay?”

“For a while. The benefit of being a writer. I can do it anywhere.”

She almost blurted out that he could stay with her but bit her tongue. She didn’t want to scare him off. “I’d love that. The thought of not seeing you again, it’s gut-wrenching.” The words slipped out before she could edit them. She held her breath, worried she’d screwed up. What was wrong with her?

His eyes shone. “I love that about you, Savannah. You don’t play games. You’re honest. Not all women are.” He grabbed his mobile phone from the nightstand and punched the keys. He put it on speaker. After two rings, a man answered.

“Good morning. The Carlyle at Rosewood Hotel. How may I assist you?”

Elation filled her when she heard him make a monthlong reservation.

A month. That would give them plenty of time to fall in love. She and Bennett were meant to be together, she was convinced of it. She had thirty days to convince him of it.

| Eleven |

Savannah

It had only been two weeks, but to Savannah, it felt like they’d known each other forever. They walked hand in hand on the way to Bryant Park. It was a beautiful day, sunny, low sixties, and Savannah had never been happier. They found a seat at an empty table.

“Shall I grab us some drinks?” Bennett asked.

She nodded. “Sure.”

She sat, people-watching while she waited. A couple chasing a young boy caught her eye. They were laughing as they followed behind him while he tried to catch a bird flying overhead, his chubby little hand opening and closing. They looked at each other and smiled, then back at their son as if they shared the most exquisite treasure in the world. Savannah thought how wonderful it would be to have a family. She’d always loved children, had thought by now she’d have at least one, and worried that time was passing too quickly. She didn’t want to wait too much longer. She wondered if Bennett wanted kids. The two of them would have beautiful children. With his dark good looks, and her fair skin and red hair, they would be the best of them both. They could travel the world, take them to all the places Savannah had always wanted to go. Places her parents had never taken her.

Bennett returned with an iced latte for her and a coffee for him.

“I sprinkled some cinnamon on top the way you like it,” he said as he handed it to her. She was touched by his thoughtfulness.

“Thank you. Sweet of you to remember.”

He sat next to her, and his arm brushed hers, sending a jolt down her spine.

“So, my love, what shall we do with the rest of our Saturday?”

“Whatever you like. It’s such a beautiful day we could do anything.”

“I love how easy you make things.” He leaned in to kiss her, and she closed her eyes returning his kiss. She felt the stirrings of desire. “Although it might be nice to go back to your suite and make love.”

He laughed. “Yes, that would be quite nice.”

The little boy she’d been watching before ran over to them and stopped in front of Bennett. He held out a hand. “Dwink?”

The child’s parents ran over.

“I’m so sorry! I guess he’s thirsty.”

Bennett smiled at the little boy. “I’d be happy to share, but it’s coffee.”

The mother smiled and picked him up.

“What a cutie,” Bennett said. He turned to Savannah. “Do you want children?”