Page 5 of Promise Me Never

Bennett laughed. “No pun intended.” Then he turned to Marion. “Savannah was a great help today. She managed to keep the line moving with a firm yet polite hand. I’d probably still be there were it not for her.”

The waiter came over to take their order before Savannah could respond. She ordered a filet and was secretly pleased when Bennett ordered the same thing. After he retreated, Marion leaned forward.

“Shall we get business out of the way?”

“Here’s the update. Soon as the conference is over, I’m back on it. I’ll hit my deadline, don’t worry,” Bennett said.

“Okay. Just double-checking. I know you like to have more time in between books. Making sure Anne didn’t pressure you into this contract.”

Savannah would kill to have Anne Meyers be her own editor one day. She was one of the best in the business.

Bennett shrugged. “You said a book a year is now de rigueur, so—”

“You haven’t shared the concept yet. I get a little nervous when—”

Bennett put a hand up. “You worry too much. “I’ll turn in the manuscript on time. You’ll get it the same time that Anne does.”

Savannah took a sip from her glass of wine. “What’s it about?”

Marion shot her a look that made her immediately sorry she’d asked.

Bennett was quiet a moment then burst into laughter. “I like you, Savannah. You don’t pull any punches.” He pointed a finger at Marion. “You could learn something about being more direct. I don’t share what my books are about before they’re finished, much to the chagrin of my agent. But…since you so directly asked, I’ll say this much. It’s going to be very dark, and there’s a terrible villain at the center.”

Now it was Savannah’s turn to laugh. “Are you sure you want to share so many details?”

Once their food arrived the talk turned to general topics, and Savannah did her best to appear nonchalant despite the buzzing in her head and the overwhelming attraction she felt to Bennett. He gave his attention equally to them both, so she couldn’t tell if he was feeling anything at all for her. She wished it were just the two of them.

When they arrived back at the hotel, Marion ran into a colleague in the lobby who persuaded her to go to the bar for a nightcap. Savannah could see that it was filled with many conference attendees.

“Want to join us?” Marion asked, looking at Savannah and Bennett.

“I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll call it a night,” Savannah said.

Bennett shook his head. “You know I’m not one for the masses. Enjoy.”

Savannah’s mind raced as they walked together back to the elevators. If only he would invite her back to his room for a drink.

“Thanks again for including me tonight,” she said as they waited for the elevator.

“It was my pleasure. I—”

The doors opened and they waited while people got off, and then they entered the elevator. After the doors shut, he stared at her for a long moment. “I don’t know what it is, but I feel like I already know you.”

So he did feel something. She felt her face grow warm, and it took a moment for her to find her voice.

“I feel the same way.”

“Dinner again tomorrow, but just the two of us?” he said.

Savannah’s heart was now racing in her chest.

“I’d love that.”

The elevators stopped at her floor, and the doors opened.

“This is me.”

“Good night, Savannah. Sweet dreams.”