The Wrong Promise (Hendricks Billionaires #3)

Chapter 1

1

ZARA

I should be excited.

I should be out of my mind excited because, after years of self-doubt, my best friend is finally happy. She’s treating our friends and me to a weekend retreat at a hotel that has an acclaimed restaurant where the stars secretly dine and a five-star spa service, yet I can’t shake the disheartened ache in my stomach.

I’m thirty-five, single, and third-wheeling with my best friends. I love Penny, and Hugh and his wife, Sienna, but they’re all happy and… I don’t know how to be.

“Thank you for coming.” Penny pulls me into a hug.

“No, thank you. This place is amazing. One would be crazy not to want to stay here.”

“I know, right.” She rubs one hand over her rounded stomach. “When Franklin spoke to Jobe about ideas for a weekend away, he suggested coming here.”

Oh, did I mention both Penny and Sienna are pregnant? And until last week, I also didn’t know Jobe owned this hotel.

Franklin is her husband, a man I disliked for months for breaking Penny’s heart but who has since proven to be the perfect husband. His younger brother, Jobe, on the other hand, I still dislike with every fiber of my being.

“It’s truly amazing,” I say while looking around the foyer at the oversized rose crystal statue and the massive chandelier hanging directly overhead.

Her smile grows. “This is his way of preparing me for the baby… being pampered and surrounded by my friends. What else does a girl need?”

“Nothing. You deserve it all.” I take her hand and squeeze it. It’s hard to believe we grew up together in San Diego, and our families often struggled to get by. We spent days thrifting not to be trendy but because it was all we could afford.

Franklin’s voice sounds from behind us, echoing across the luxurious hotel foyer. “Come and join us for dinner later.”

We turn to see who he is talking to. Oh, for the love of God.

Anyone but him.

Jobe is striding across the marble floor toward his brother, his expression severe like we’re keeping him from a million-dollar business deal. I refrain from rolling my eyes and take in his dark hair, suit, and body. Those dark eyes meet mine, and his forehead furrows as though he wasn’t expecting to see me.

Asshole. I’m Penny’s best friend.

Penny places a hand on my arm. “You don’t mind if Jobe stays the weekend, do you?”

Yes .

“Of course not. He’s part of your family.” And he owns the hotel, so…

Jobe is like Franklin, a shrewd businessman. The first time I met Franklin, I liked him. The first time I met Jobe, he was a stuck-up, wealthy, arrogant snob even though he is the same age as me. Three years later, my opinion is unchanged. While I understand their stern demeanor, unrelenting focus on their goals, and how tough decision-making earned them their successes, it carried into Jobe’s personal life.

Like I said, asshole.

Penny has warmed to her husband’s brother and tried to convince me he’s all sweet and kind on the inside once you get to know him.

I remember the first time she met him and how shitty he made her feel, as though she wasn’t good enough for his brother. They didn’t move in the same circles, and Jobe didn’t like it.

Hurt my friends, and there is no second chance.

Even if he has paid for us to be here for a weekend of five-star treatment and pampering, it’s probably loose change for him.

“Are you sure you’re okay with him here? I know you’re not a fan,” she says softly.

Understatement of the year.

I shrug. “It’s a big place. I can find somewhere not to hear his annoying voice.”

She laughs. “Hugh and Sienna should be here soon. Hmm. What shall we start with? A relaxing massage?”

Send me in the direction of the bar.

“A relaxation massage sounds divine.”

She loops her arm through mine. “Can you believe I’m going to be a mom in thirteen more weeks?”

I close my hand over hers. “Yes, and you are going to be the best mom.” Penny is kind and has so much love to share. Being a mom will come naturally to her.

We walk together, arms looped, toward the spa. Being with her is like being reunited with my twin. The world is right again. Everything around us is in harmony. Moments like these are what I miss most since we only manage to catch up once a month these days.

“And you’re going to be the best aunty. I need you to promise to be part of my child’s life. Because you’ve always been a big part of mine.”

We smile at each other. For as long as I can remember, we have had each other’s back. “I promise to be the best aunty I can be.”

She leans her head against mine for a moment before we are greeted by a woman wearing a white shirt and trousers. She ushers us into a room with the background noise of birds and the sounds of nature.

The air carries hints of lavender, sandalwood, and lemon. I inhale the scent and let out a sigh.

“I’ll text Frank and ask him to bring us a green vitality juice with spirulina.”

I swallow. Not the drink of choice I had in mind.

Hugh and Sienna arrive in the afternoon. Penny orientates them to the hotel facility, and they decide to do the couple wellness package, starting with facials. Penny looks at me. “Are you ready to be pampered again, Zee?”

“I am heading outside to soak in the mineral spa bath. You guys go ahead without me. I’m saving the facial for tomorrow.”

She tilts her head to the side. “Why not have one each day? We’re only here for the weekend. After how your boss treats you and your week at work, you deserve all the pampering.”

I smile at my friend. “The month from hell. Actually, it’s been a year.”

She places an arm around my shoulder. “Exactly. Do this with us.”

I have never been spoiled by luxurious gifts, nor am I one to indulge myself. It has taken years for Penny to accept it. Despite her now lavish lifestyle, she still fights for what she believes in, like protecting the environment and curtailing his family’s private jet usage, but she has caved to Franklin’s extravagant gifts.

“Yes, please join us. We’ll send the guys into another room,” Sienna emphasizes, rubbing her stomach, which is a slight bump compared to Penny’s very pregnant belly.

Our girly conversations will be hijacked by baby talk, and at the moment, I need to clear my mind. Talk myself into being excited. Weekend retreat. Going to be an aunty. Happy for my friends. Not sad and sorry for my single self. “Seriously, you all enjoy it as couples. I’m changing into my bikini and allowing the spa and sunshine to clear my head.”

Penny hugs me again. “If you change your mind, we’ll be here.”

I wave them goodbye and head to my room to change. I know Penny is looking out for me, but this weekend is for her. A special time to relax before the baby comes. She needs to have some time with Franklin and experience the retreat as a couple as his work consumes his life. And it’s nice to do the couples thing with another duo. Besides, I have been eyeing the hot tub from the moment I arrived.

After adjusting my bikini straps, I tighten the belt on the bathrobe. Then, once outside, I position my sunglasses over my eyes and inhale the air that has a little warmth remaining at the end of the day .

Springtime is nice, but I’m so ready for summer.

Six white, rounded pools rise up from the green, soft grass. Palm trees and tropical plants surround the area. It’s like a mini paradise. From here, I see the infinity pool that I intend to use later. Dropping my robe onto a pool lounge, I climb into the hot tub, rest my head back on a cushion, and close my eyes. All I hear is the gentle rumble of the motor and the bubbling water around my body. While champagne would be the perfect visual complement to this moment—all class and relaxation—I’m still not at ease.

It’s like Penny and Hugh have crossed a monumental threshold in their lives, and I’m stuck back here, uncoupled, not expecting a baby, unable to truly follow them.

My stomach balls up as tears threaten.

The worst part is I’ve spent so many years convincing myself I like being single that I can’t imagine being happy in a relationship anyway. And I don’t want children. Not in an I-can’t-have-them-so-I’ll-tell-myself-I-don’t-want-them kind of way. I actually don’t want children. Every time I make peace with it, other people judge my decision. So there’s really no way I could ever fully cross that threshold and live the same happy family life as my friends. I’ll always be outside their bubble.

Damn. This is not clearing my head. I focus on relaxing my mind completely.

I have no idea how much time has passed when I hear footsteps behind me. I sit up, and with the sun low in the sky, I shade my eyes to see who it is.

Ugh.

“Penny sent me to say dinner is at six.” Jobe’s gaze bores into me as he holds out a crystal flute of what I assume is champagne. “I thought you might want this, although it’s recommended not to have glass by the pools.”

I make a splash, moving too fast to sit up, and he jumps back, almost spilling the drink. “Pass it here. You obviously can’t be trusted with fine glassware,” I joke.

He smiles and hands me the glass, his hand brushing over his tie, white shirt, and suit jacket.

“Thank you. I appreciate it. You can add psychic to your resume.” Jobe Hendricks just made me smile. One for the Guinness Book. “Are you now part of the staff to please your brother and Penny?”

He frowns at me. “Please them how?”

“Well, for one, you have offered the entire facility for Penny and us when it could easily accommodate a hundred guests. It’s a tick in her good books.”

He nods slowly, his dark hues reminding me of his older brother’s eyes as they consider me. Those brown eyes lower to where my chest is now out of the water, and then his unapologetic gaze meets mine. He is so damn unreadable.

I detest the man, but the champagne was thoughtful. Do I want him to find me a little bit attractive? Of course I do. I need some validation in my life that I’m a teeny bit desirable, even if he is the last man on Earth I ever want to say it. One look to confirm it is all I need. Yet, there is nothing. The standard Hendricks’ poker face.

“Penny is a caring, beautiful woman, and she somehow manages to extract the good in people,” he says. “She draws it out as though she is a magnet for kindness.”

I already know this since she is my best friend. “Ah-ha, and if you do anything to hurt her, you’ll have me to deal with.”

Jobe smirks. “Firstly, I’m trying to please her because it also pleases my brother, but in saying that, I genuinely like Penny. Best sister-in-law I’ve ever had.”

“Only sister-in-law,” I correct.

“Secondly, I’m curious. How would Zara Indigo Hart deal with me? ”

What?

He grins at my shock. “I am privy to the guest list.”

Right. “My mom is the sole person who says my entire name in that tone, and you have no reason to be upset with me.”

“I have some right to be offended since you assumed I would hurt my brother’s wife in some way.”

“Not assumed… warned. You have a reputation of being?—”

Jobe’s eyes hold mine prisoner, and I’m unable to finish my sentence. “You were saying?”

“Direct.” It’s the first word that comes to mind other than not-so-nice adjectives.

He nods slowly. “Enjoy your drink, Zara Hart. I’ll see you at dinner.”

Not if I can help it.

I sip my champagne and watch him walk away.

Great ass.

It’s obvious he works out, and an image of him hot and sweaty and not in a freaking suit jumps into my head. No. I am refusing to think of Jobe Hendricks as hot, even if he is annoyingly good-looking.

I should be pondering why he is being nice to me.

Is it for Penny’s sake?

It doesn’t matter. I refuse to give him another thought.