Page 3 of Promising You
Garret puts his arm around me. “She’s okay. She’s used to playing alone. But that’s sweet of you to offer. And she would love it if you played with her. I try to play with her but she says boys are no fun to play with.”
I lean in and kiss the side of his freshly shaven face. “That depends on what you’re playing.”
He kisses me back on the lips. “Are you saying you want to play with me, Jade?”
“Definitely. But not right now.” I get up off the bed. “Go have breakfast. I’ll get ready and be right down.”
Garret is already showered and dressed, looking freaking hot as usual in jeans and a super-soft, light blue t-shirt. All of his clothes fit him perfectly. It’s like they’re specially made for him. He’s a swimmer so has broad shoulders, a muscular chest, and a narrow waist. I don’t think clothes off the rack would fit him right. He’d have to have them tailored to look that good.
“Before you go, I have a surprise for you.” He pulls me down to sit on his lap and I notice a sudden spark of excitement in his gorgeous blue eyes.
“What is it?”
“I’m taking you to New York for New Year’s Eve. I thought we’d leave next Tuesday and stay until Friday. That way we won’t have to rush to see all the sights. What do you think?”
“It sounds great, but I’m a little freaked out about being there on New Year’s with all those people and all that noise.”
Garret knows about my noise phobia. Growing up, my drunk, pill-addicted mother used to scream and throw things and bang pans together knowing how it scared me. I hated it, and to this day I try to avoid loud noises. I know I need to get over it, but I’m not there yet.
“I already considered the noise issue,” he says. “And that’s why I got us a hotel right above Times Square. We’ll watch the ball drop from our room. You won’t have to be anywhere near the crowds.”
“But that had to have cost a fortune.” I don’t like Garret spending money on me. He knows this and sometimes we fight about it. But I hate fighting with him, so I’ve been trying to let it go. Still, the topic tends to sneak up now and then.
“Jade, don’t start with the money thing. It’s New Year’s Eve and I told you I wanted to make every holiday special for you since you never celebrated any of them. Just let me do this.” He smiles, and I have a really hard time saying no to that smile.
“Okay, but I swear I’m keeping track of all this money you’re spending and I’m going to pay you back someday.”
“As long as we’re on this topic, I might as well tell you that I’m getting you a plane ticket to go see Frank and Ryan before school starts again. I know you didn’t get enough time with them when we were there and now that it’s safe to go home, I want you to go.”
Again, I don’t want Garret paying for my plane ticket, but I really want to see Frank and Ryan and I don’t want to wait until May when school’s out.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
He stares at me, confused. “You’re not going to yell at me about the money?”
I shrug. “I’ll just add it to my tab.”
“There is no tab. I told you, we’ll be married by the time you have the money to pay me back. And then it won’t matter because what’s mine is yours.” He smiles smugly.
“Okay, enough with the marriage talk. And besides, it’s entirely possible I’ll pay you back long before I’d even consider marrying you. Maybe I’ll win the lottery or some long lost relative will leave me an inheritance or I’ll get a really good job after college or—”
“Damn. You’re not even considering it? I really need to up my game.”
“Why are you so anxious to get married?”
“I’m not. I’m just tossing the idea out there. Trying to see if you’re even open to it.”
“I’m open to it. But not at 19.”
“My dad got married when he was 22.”
“You said he was forced to by his parents. It’s not like he wanted to. And look how that ended. Divorce. He was older when he married your mom.”
“Relax. I’m not proposing anytime soon.” He kisses my cheek. “And given your attitude, maybe I never will.” He says it kiddingly, but for some stupid reason I feel disappointed.
“Hey! I don’t have an attitude. Take that back.”
“So now youwantme to propose?” He shakes his head. “I’m so confused.”
