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  One Beautiful Promise

  Layla Hagen

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  ***

  One Beautiful Promise

  Copyright © 2020 Layla Hagen

  Cover: Uplifting Designs

  Photography: Wander Aguiar

  Copyright ©2020 Layla Hagen

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine | Laney

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven | Laney

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Cole

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Epilogue | Laney | One month later

  Other books by Layla Hagen

  Standalone USA TODAY BESTSELLER | Withering Hope

  Chapter One

  Cole

  Overseas business trips were exhausting, but they had many perks. This one had brought me to Rome. I’d flown in from New York a week ago with the goal of signing one of the biggest business deals in my career. It took six days of negotiations, but here I was, deal in my pocket.

  I hadn’t had time to enjoy the city until now, but I planned to make up for it tonight and tomorrow. I’d already made up my mind that I had to come back once more for an actual vacation. So far, the food was excellent and the weather was to my liking—at least now in March. It was pleasantly warm, and humidity was low.

  I was dining at a rooftop restaurant in Piazza Navona that was bursting with customers. I heard the occasional phrase in Italian, but there were mostly tourists here.

  My phone kept buzzing with messages. My three siblings were congratulating me on sealing the deal. We had a WhatsApp group where we shared news and updates... or just teased each other for no reason.

  Tess: I knew you could do it.

  Skye: Don’t repeat that too often or it’ll go to his head.

  Tess: Hey, he deserves all the praise right now.

  I chuckled. I couldn’t wait to go back to New York. My family was very tight-knit. My sisters had been to Rome years ago, and they’d been so excited that I was coming here that they’d almost joined me too.

  Tess: Also, just in case you forgot, we’re expecting presents.

  Skye: Yes, tons.

  I smiled, typing back. I’d already bought them presents on my first day here. Didn’t want to risk forgetting what with all the negotiations happening.

  Cole: Done already.

  Tess: Awww, you’re the best.

  Ryker: Best what? Brother?

  Tess: Best at buying presents :-D

  Ryker: Nice save.

  Hunter wrote next. He was my cousin and business partner. We were running a huge real estate development company together, Caldwell Real Estate. The deal with Delimano marked the start of our expansion in Europe. We were going to build a shopping center in Rome together.

  Hunter: Well done. Now blow off some steam. You deserve it.

  Hell, yes. I planned to do that in spades. I felt on top of the world right now, drunk on my success, pleased with my negotiation skills in bringing even a tough guy like Delimano to heel. Where he pushed, I pushed back harder. In the end, he’d bowed to my terms, and now it was time to celebrate.

  Tess: Have you met up with Laney yet?

  Cole: No, I’m seeing her tonight.

  Tess: Isabelle says she’s an expert on Rome. You’re lucky.

  Isabelle was Hunter’s sister-in-law, and when she’d heard I was in Rome for a week, she’d insisted I meet with her friend Laney, who was here for a medical exchange program. I’d texted Laney as soon as I landed in Rome but hadn’t had time to actually meet with her until tonight. She was supposed to be here by now. Right on cue, my phone buzzed.

  Laney: I’ll be a few minutes late.

  A few minutes turned into fifteen, but it didn’t bother me. I wasn’t on a schedule anymore. I just relaxed in my chair, inspecting the menu. I’d been eating at Italian restaurants every evening, but I hadn’t cared much about what I was eating. When my mind was on business, I tuned out everything else.

  “Cole Winchester?” a female voice asked.

  I looked up. Laney was a damn fine sight. She was tall and slender with blue eyes and a mass of blonde hair wild around her head.

  “Yes.”

  “Laney Smith.” She smiled broadly. I got to my feet, shaking her hand. I couldn’t help but give her a thorough perusal, because damn, she was gorgeous.

  “I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said as we both sat down.

  “No problem. Glad we could finally meet. What do you want to drink? They have the specials listed there.” I pointed to the blackboard next to the bar. The specials were written with colored chalk.

  Laney squinted. “Hmm... the house specialty sounds like a tourist thing. I’ve never seen Italians mix limoncello with orange juice.”

  “I heard you’re an expert in all things Italian. What would you recommend?” I smiled taking in her sparkling eyes.

  Laney grinned. “Well, limoncello is actually a dessert drink. Usually one starts with wine... but we could break the rules tonight.”

  “I’m all about breaking rules.” I looked at her intently. She swallowed, lowering her gaze to the menu, but I kept my eyes trained on her.

  We ended up ordering limoncello, bruschetta for a starter, and spaghetti for a main course.

  “When are you flying back to New York?” she asked.

  “Tomorrow evening.”

  “Hmm. That doesn’t leave you much time for exploring.”

  “No, but I’m hoping you can give me tips for a speed tour. Since you’re an expert and everything.”

  She laughed. “Did Isabelle say that?”

  “Yes.”

  “What else did she say?” Her blush was telling me all the things I wanted to know.

  “That you’re here on a medical exchange, though I didn’t catch what kind of doctor you are.”

  “I’m a surgical resident at The Liberty.”

  It was a private hospital in New York. I’d heard great things about it.

  “Wow, that’s impressive.” She took my compliment well, but I could tell she was shy about it.

  “Thanks. Anyway, there was an opportunity to come here for two months, and I thought, why not? It’s a unique experience, and Rome is fantastic. It was a bit of a stretch, because my Italian isn’t that good and I don’t know anyone on the team, but I’m glad I took the leap.”

  I liked the passion flaring in her eyes, that she w
as fearless and adventurous. I liked her guts even more than her magnetic smile. When we received our bruschetta and limoncello, Laney immediately took a sip, licking her lips.

  I had to force myself not to stare too long at her mouth. The rest of her was just as smoking hot: long, slender neck and a delicious cleavage. Her white dress was snug around her body. The rest of her was hidden by the table, but I’d gotten an eyeful of her curves when she’d arrived. I couldn’t wait for an opportunity to admire them again.

  “You’re a New York native?” I asked her.

  “No, I just moved to the city two years ago for my residency. Before, I was in Philadelphia.” She darted her gaze away, before quickly adding, “You work with Hunter, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m glad Isabelle thought about putting us in contact,” she said.

  “I’m glad too. So... back to you being an expert—”

  “I’m not, really. Just did a lot of research about the country before I came here. I wanted to make sure I saw and did everything. Isabelle is always too generous with her praise.”

  “Did she praise me?” I asked in a teasing tone.

  Laney laughed, shrugging. “Wouldn’t exactly say praise...”

  She was teasing me? Game on. The mutual attraction was palpable.

  “I like to make the first impression face-to-face, not by hearsay.”

  She flashed me a taunting smile just as the waiter took away our empty starter plates, replacing them with the main courses. We both had spaghetti. My spaghetti was simple, just with tomato sauce and basil. Laney’s had seafood.

  “Why, you’re afraid the hearsay isn’t true?”

  “Some things might be exaggerated. Or taken out of context,” I responded.

  “I’ll ignore any previous information and make up my own mind. Satisfied?”

  The things that would satisfy me were so inappropriate that I couldn’t even believe where my mind just went, but I nodded.

  “So, about those tips?”

  “Well, since you only have one day, you probably should go on two walking tours. They each last about three hours and show you different parts of the city. You can sign up on Tripadvisor. There is also a hop-on, hop-off bus, but the traffic here is a nightmare, so I wouldn’t recommend it.”

  “Okay. You did all that?”

  “Yes, on my first day. It was the perfect way to get an overview of the major attractions and decide in what order I want to visit them.”

  “I like that you said in what order, not which of them.”

  “I’m thorough. The schedule here is a little lighter than back in New York, but I mostly did my sightseeing on the weekends.”

  We focused on our food—everything was so delicious and enjoyable—as we ate in companionable silence. Then she told me how she knew Isabelle; they’d grown up in the same town in Montana and went to school together before moving to Philly for college. She didn’t have an accent, but then again, neither did Isabelle. She also told me that she’d been here for seven weeks and was staying one more.

  “This was delicious,” I said once I cleared my plate. “I was thinking this place might be a tourist trap.”

  Laney’s eyes widened. “You thought I was an expert but would bring you to a place with bad food?”

  “Not bad, just for tourists.”

  “Hmm... so far, you’re not doing great on that first-impression thing.” She was teasing me again. I liked this woman.

  “The evening’s not over yet,” I pointed out.

  Laney tilted her head to one side, drumming her fingers on the glass. “I don’t know, Cole. We’re already at dessert.”

  She’d ordered profiteroles as dessert. I’d asked for lemon tart, and we’d both wanted another round of limoncello.

  As if on cue, the waiter arrived with our drinks and sweet treats. Damn, couldn’t he have taken longer? Laney chuckled, grabbing the new glass of limoncello. I grabbed the other one, and we clinked the glasses.

  “To meeting new people,” she said.

  “I’ll drink to that. Pity you already did the walking tours. Would’ve liked hearing your commentary along with the guide’s.”

  “Isabelle was right.”

  “About what?”

  “Oops. Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.” Her dimples were adorable, and the cute little O-shape of her mouth was arousing.

  “Now I’m even more curious.”

  She blushed, looking at her plate. I leaned a bit over the table, wanting to be closer. She shook her head, shrugging. “Nope. My lips are sealed.”

  “Remains to be seen.”

  She blushed again, this time a deeper shade of red. She watched me with a funny expression while devouring her dessert.

  “If you want, I can show you a few things around this part of the city center after we leave the restaurant. The important monuments are lit up at night. Where is your hotel?”

  “Around here somewhere. I only needed ten minutes on foot.”

  “Let’s do it, then.” Damn, she was cute, hands pressed together in excitement, eyes wide. It took a few tries to get the waiter’s attention and ask for the bill. After paying, maneuvering our way out of the establishment was hard work. It was even more packed with people than when I’d arrived. The congested entrance was filled with diners waiting for a table. We took the stairs from the rooftop level to the ground because the building was old and had no elevator.

  I walked right behind Laney, appreciating the view. Her white wraparound dress was just mouthwatering. I’d met her tonight out of politeness, because a family friend had insisted, but I’d gotten more than I bargained for. Laney glanced at me over her shoulder as we stepped out onto the street, as if assessing if I was still interested in the tour.

  I was interested... but not in the tour.

  Chapter Two

  Laney

  “Do you want a quick stroll or a longer one?” I inquired.

  “You decide. I’m adaptable.”

  Ah, what a dangerous thing to say. I was drunk on this city. I fell under its spell from the moment I landed. When I spotted the sycamore trees and cobblestones near my hotel, the millennium-old ruins, I fell head over heels. I’d explored every nook and cranny of Rome. Every landmark had been a delight.

  I was in such a good mood, now more than ever, courtesy of this impossibly sexy man next to me. I didn’t know what his game was. Isabelle, of course, had given me plenty of info about the Winchester family, especially Cole. My friend did have a tendency to embellish things though, so I didn’t know if everything was true.

  Was he really nicknamed the Charmer?

  Everything from the way he smiled and acted proved that he had game, and he knew it. That jet-black hair and blue eyes combo was just gorgeous. He was wearing black jeans and a white shirt that popped against the evening darkness.

  “That’s a really cool souvenir place.” I pointed to a small shop on the corner with a tiny side street.

  Leather bags and hats hung on a rack next to the entrance door. Leather-bound diaries and miniature alabaster figurines of Roman gods were lit by an uninspired blue light in the display window.

  “It has a mix of everything, and the prices aren’t too bad.” I loved this mix of shops in Rome. This souvenir store was right next to a fancy shop selling big Italian-brand purses, like Gucci and Valentino.

  “Already bought a truckload of presents for everyone,” he said. Okay, so Isabelle had been right about the Winchesters being tight-knit.

  “Ready to hear about Piazza Navona?”

  “Sure.” His smile was a little taunting and far too charming for my good. I tried not to make too much eye contact as I spoke because part of that incredible sex appeal were those blue eyes.

  I talked a little about the Egyptian obelisk, as well as the Baroque architecture all around us. The attractions were very well lit. Even at this hour, the piazza was chock-full of street artists painting caricatures or spraying monument renderings on me
tal canvas. Sellers offered everything from fake designer handbags to fluorescent gadgets they kept throwing in the air and catching.

  “Ready to move to my favorite spot?” I asked.

  “You’re the boss, doc.”

  There he went with that gorgeous smile again. Yeah, Cole Winchester definitely was a charmer. Isabelle had been right about this too. I was trying to remember everything she’d told me about him. I was so happy my best friend was finally moving to New York.

  She was going to open a practice as a psychologist, and so far, finding the right spot had proved to be a challenge. But Isabelle was an optimist and a hard worker, and I wanted to help her in every way possible. She’d been living in my apartment while I was here in Rome, to save on rent. She was moving out this weekend, though. She’d found a great place for herself. I planned to call later to check on her.

  We slipped into the street called via del Salvatore toward another favorite monument of mine—the Pantheon. The street was narrow and crowded. Cole walked right next to me. Every time our gazes crossed, my breath caught. I couldn’t explain why, but it felt as if a livewire was connecting us.

  There were restaurants every few feet with tables lined to the wall and taking up a lot of space on the sidewalk, so one had to be careful not to bump into others. The smell of garlic and roasted vegetables was thick in the air, along with that of burnt wood and melted cheese from the pizza ovens. Truthfully, since living here, I was eating nonstop on every trip around the city. There were delicious treats at every corner, and my willpower was nonexistent.

  We took two more turns and arrived at another piazza. It was smaller than the last one. There was yet another Egyptian obelisk here too, but the centerpiece was of course the Pantheon itself.

  “It’s one of the best-kept monuments from antiquity,” I said. “It’s been restored quite a few times.”

  The facade had eight massive columns, but it was even more impressive on the inside.

  “The dome has a circular hole in it, but it’s best if you see it during the day,” I told Cole. “It used to be a Roman temple, but now it’s a church.”

  “You know a lot. I read a travel guide but don’t remember much.”

  I grinned. “Oh, yeah. I just read a ton of them, so the info stuck. And then I heard it all again during the tours, and now it’s lodged in my brain. Oh, before I forget, see that old shop there, Antigua Carniceria?” I pointed to the corner of the building on the right of the Pantheon.