Promising You (The Jade Series #4) (38 page)

“It’s not as bad as it sounds. It’s really more about making sure I don’t have access to my dad’s money, which includes cutting me out of the inheritance. Being part of that organization has rewards. Financial rewards. And with my bad behavior, I was kicked out and banned from ever being a member. Therefore I can’t benefit from the financial rewards my father and grandfather have received. The members consider this a punishment for my dad because they assume my dad wants to be able to share his money with me and all the benefits that come with having that kind of money. But secretly, he’d rather have me free from the organization. And I would, too. I’d take my freedom over the money any day.”

“So you never have to be part of that group? You’re out for good?”

“I’m out for good. In fact I think they were kind of glad to get rid of me.”

I hug him. “Garret, you should’ve started with that.”

“Instead of the proposal?”

“Yes. Well, no. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. You’re finally free from them! We need to celebrate. You want some more champagne?” I sit up and reach for our glasses.

“Actually we have dinner waiting. We should probably get down there.”
 

“Down where?”

“To our place. Sean made us dinner. By the way, I told him what was going on last semester and how I wasn’t really acting that way. I gave him the same story we gave Harper and Frank. So Sean’s no longer mad at me. Anyway, Harper’s setting everything up on the deck so we can eat outside. She says it’s our engagement dinner.”

“What if I’d said no?”

“When you were checking out your ring, I texted her with your answer so she’d know whether to do this or not. But I had a feeling you might say yes.” Cue the cocky smile. “Let’s go eat.”

We walk down the beach to a two-story condo with windows all along the back. Harper is on the deck, barefoot and wearing a short white sundress, her bright blond hair held back with a glittery silver headband. She runs down on the beach and hugs me, kicking up sand everywhere.

“Congratulations! I’m so happy for you guys!”
 

She hugs Garret, too. “Sean has everything ready. He’s just keeping it warm in the oven.”

Sean comes out from the other condo wearing a light blue, button-up shirt and white shorts, already tan from being here a few days. “Congratulations, Jade.” He gives me a hug, then goes up to Garret and shakes his hand. “Bet you feel better now that she said yes.”

“Sean,” Harper scolds.

“What? Like she didn’t know he was nervous as hell? Every guy is.”

“You were nervous?” I ask Garret, laughing a little. “You, Mr. Cocky Smile? Mr. I-Knew-You’d-Say-Yes?”

He shrugs. “Maybe a little. But not as much as Sean’s making it sound like.” He pretends to be annoyed with Sean, but he’s not. I can tell they’re back to being friends.

“Ready to eat?” Sean asks.
 

Harper moves closer to me so the guys won’t hear. “Garret invited Sean and me to eat with you two, but if you want to have a romantic dinner without us, we totally understand.”

“Don’t be crazy. You guys are having dinner with us. This is our first night here together and we have a lot to celebrate.”

She hugs me quick. “Okay, then I’ll pour the drinks. Go inside and check out your place.”

I grab Garret’s hand and pull him toward the door. “Come on. Give me a tour.”

He picks me up and carries me through the door.

“You’re not supposed to do that until we’re married.”

“I’m practicing.” He carries me past the living room and goes straight up the stairs.
 

“I missed the whole downstairs. Where are you taking me?”

“To our bedroom.” He goes down a short hallway into the bedroom and sets me down on a king-size bed that’s covered in white cotton linens. The room has warm wood floors and light-colored furniture. There’s a tall dresser along one wall and a nightstand on each side of the bed. Windows line the back wall. The windows are open and the cool ocean breeze is blowing in. You can hear the waves crashing on the shore.

“What do you think?” he asks.

I stretch out on the bed. “I think this can’t possibly be real. It’s too great.”

“It’s real.” Garret lies beside me and kisses me and I know that if we don’t stop we’ll never make it to dinner.

“Garret, we should go outside. Harper and Sean are waiting.”

“Yeah, I know,” he says, continuing to kiss me, “but let’s make this a short dinner.”

“We’re not racing through dinner.” I push him back a little and smile. “But after that, I’m all yours. In fact I don’t think we’ll be leaving this room tomorrow. Maybe not the next day either.”

“And there’s my little nympho girlfriend,” he says, tickling my side.
 

“Hey.” I push him back again. “It’s
fiancé
. Get it right.”
 

He laughs. “Sorry. You’re right. My nympho
fiancé
.”

We go back downstairs. The living room has a big, U-shaped couch that faces the windows looking out to the ocean. A flat-screen TV sits on a stand in the corner. The room is open to the kitchen which has a long center island with barstools and a small table off to the side. I notice a vase of red roses on the table.
 

“You got me roses?”
 

Garret comes up behind me. “I wanted to fill the whole place with them but I’m a little short on cash.”

I turn to face him. “A dozen is plenty. Thank you.” I loop my arms around his neck and kiss him. “I love you, Garret Kensington.”

“I love you, Jade Taylor. Soon to be Jade Kensington. Unless you’re keeping your name.”

“Jade Kensington,” I say, hearing how that sounds. “Wow. I’m going to be a Kensington. And a wife. And someday a mo—” I stop, not sure how that thought even got in my head. A mom? Me? Must be the champagne talking.

Garret ignores my slip up, but now he’s smiling even more. “So I guess you’re going with the name change. That’s good. Makes it easier on the mailman. Multiple names at one address could be confusing.”

“Yeah, that’s true. Let’s go eat.” I grab his hand and drag him to the deck where Harper and Sean are waiting.

“We wondered if you two were ever coming out of there.” Harper laughs and picks up her glass. “Let’s toast.” The rest of us lift our glasses. “To my best friend and the guy who was lucky enough to get her.”

“I second that,” Garret says and we all clink glasses.

Then the four of us sit at our ocean-view table, eating the delicious dinner Sean prepared. We reminisce about the past year, reliving all the memories that led us to be together at this table on this beautiful night, on this picture-perfect spot of the California coast.

We remain there talking and laughing and watching the sun set. Sean and Harper move their chairs to face the orange and pink sky. Garret and I do the same. He puts his arm around me and I lean in and whisper, “We’re going to have a really great summer.”

He tips my chin up and gives me a soft, sweet kiss. “Not just the summer, Jade. We’re going to have a really great life.”

From the Author

Now that The Jade Series has ended, I know that some of you are going to miss Jade and Garret. And I will, too! After spending the past year with them, it’s sad to say goodbye. So does that mean there will be more books? I really don’t know. I never intended for this to be more than four books because I know a lot of people don’t like long series. That’s why if I ever did write more books, I would probably do so under a new spinoff series so that The Jade Series could remain a 4-book series with a definite end.

If I did a spinoff series, the story would likely delve deeper into the mystery side of things because I think there’s more of that story to tell. The romance between Jade and Garret would still be there, but you’d see them evolving as a couple rather than their struggle to become a couple, as the original series did.

I’ve also considered writing companion books to the original series, which could be a book about Harper and Sean, or a prequel that takes place the summer before Jade and Garret met, or a book from Garret’s point of view. And I’d love to write a novella about Jade and Garret’s summer in California, including their wedding!! 

There are lots of options but only if enough people are truly interested in reading more about these characters. That’s where you come in! If you love Jade and Garret and want more of their story, write a review, recommend it on Goodreads, tell a friend, or tell a book blogger. Most people have never heard of The Jade Series and the more people who know about Jade and Garret, the more likely it is that more books will be made about them.

So spread the word about Jade and Garret! 

And in case I do decide to write more, tell me your wish list for future books. Do you want to read more about Jade and Garret? Or would you rather read about other characters in the series? Are you interested in reading more about the mystery? Just the romance? Or both?

I’ll post updates about any future books on Facebook and Twitter. I’ll also post some bonus book extras on Facebook, like some scenes from Garret’s POV, my Jade playlist, contests, giveaways, etc. And I have some other romance books in the works that aren’t related to this series and I’ll post updates about those as well.

I love hearing from readers so stay in touch! —Allie

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- Author Allie Everhart
 

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