Page 14 of Promise Me Never

She turned, then froze. Shit. She quickly scanned behind the woman to see if Bennett was coming out of the bathroom.

“You must be mistaking me for someone else.” Before the woman could respond she ran from the restaurant and around the corner, her breath fast and shallow, her heart like a drum in her chest. What were the chances she’d run into someone from Maryland here? She pulled out her phone and texted Bennett.

Felt faint. Too hot in there. I’m on a bench over at Hudson Yards.

She put the phone in her pocket and released a breath. That was too close.

| Fourteen |

Savannah

Their month together was almost over. Savannah was doing her best not to let Bennett see how devastated she was that he was leaving. She had allowed herself to believe that they were destined to be together. They were perfect for each other, but what if he didn’t see it? He might forget all about her once he was home and fell back into his routine. She had done her best over the past month to make him fall for her the way she had for him. But he hadn’t said anything about their future. The way they had so quickly settled into a routine together was further proof to her of their compatibility.

She couldn’t go back to her life before Bennett. They had spent almost every night together in this glorious space and she had reveled in it. She had made sure to pretend to have plans a few of the evenings so that he didn’t think she had no life outside of him. Another rule from the dating book. He wrote while she worked, and then in the evenings they’d order room service, share a bottle of wine as they talked about things that mattered to each of them, then end the night with lovemaking. It was the happiest time of her life.

And his suite at the Carlyle was a level of luxury she’d never before been exposed to. The wood floors gleamed so brightly she could almost see her reflection in them. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a view of Manhattan like a painting, and the thick gold drapes reminded her of photos she’d seen of homes lived in by the French aristocracy. And the furniture was gorgeous! It looked as though it had been lifted from the pages of Architectural Digest.

But this morning, he was packing and returning home. It was still early; he’d awakened her with a kiss. They’d made love but she couldn’t enjoy it. All she kept thinking was that this might be the last time.

“I wish you didn’t have to go,” she said, nestled in his arms, the heaviness in her chest a reminder of their impending goodbye.

“Me too, but I’m not making the progress I should. It’s not the same, writing in a hotel. I need my routine at home.” He propped himself up on one elbow. “What would you think about coming with me?”

She looked at him. “You mean for a few days?”

He traced her lips with his fingers, his eyes caressing her face, then shook his head. “No. I mean for good.”

She sat up and pulled the sheet up to her chest.

“But my job, my apartment. How could I?”

He shrugged. “Quit. I don’t want to live without you, and I don’t believe in long-distance relationships.”

Savannah was stunned into silence. This was everything she wanted, but how did she know it would last? She couldn’t give up her job and apartment to live with him without a commitment. “Bennett, I love you, but I can’t move in with you and leave my life behind. As much as I might want to. Surely you can understand that.”

“But think of all the time you’d have to write. I could help you. Isn’t that what you want?”

This was exactly what she wanted. But still, she’d been promised things before that never materialized. “I would love that, of course! And it’s a lovely idea. I can think of nothing better than waking up to you every day. But I’ve been hurt before. If I give everything up and move in with you, if you change your mind, where does that leave me?”

“I’m not going to change my mind.”

She traced her finger on his face. “You say that now—”

“How can I convince you that I’m serious?”

“I believe that you are. And as much as I’d love nothing more than to pack and follow you home, it’s reckless. Even for me. I’m going to miss you, but we can see each other on weekends.”

He sighed. “Sometimes I need to write on the weekends. I want you there all the time.”

It was now or never. She needed to get a real commitment. She hoped it wouldn’t scare him away, but it was a calculated risk worth taking. “It may sound old-fashioned, but I don’t believe in living together. If I’m going to give up my independence, it’s going to be for a husband. Maybe in time, once we know each other better, that may—”

“Marry me,” he blurted out.

Her pulse quickened. It had worked! “Are you serious?”

He nodded. “More serious than I’ve ever been. Savannah, I don’t want to lose you. I know everything I need to know about you. Will you be my wife?”

“Yes!” She exploded with joy and threw her arms around him.