The Billionaire Op - Lori Ryan Page 0,69

took a deep breath and went to the small zippered pocket of her purse. The envelope she withdrew was soft with age. Some of the seams were threatening to give up. It was still sealed. In all these years, she’d transferred it from purse to purse, never opening it.

Kyle had told her to open it when she was ready. She never had been.

She wasn’t sure she was ready now, but she knew she had to get there. It was time for her to put the past behind her. Jennie sat on the edge of the bed for a long time before she slipped a finger under the flap, tearing along the well-worn seam. Her hands shook as she unfolded the single sheet of paper.

She laughed through her tears as she read the first sentence.

How many years did it take, Jennie? One? Two? I hope not more than that, Bugsy.

Jennie had no idea how Kyle had come up with the nickname ‘Bugsy’ for her, but he had. And, it had stuck.

I thought I could beat this thing, but I waited too long. I thought there was so much time, but it turns out I was wrong about that. I wanted so many more years with you.

I wanted a lifetime to make you happy. To make you laugh. To raise babies with you and see what an amazing mom you would be. I wanted all of that and I’m so sorry I couldn’t give that to you. I’m so sorry.

I know it’s cliché but I want you to fall in love again, Jennie. I know you. You’ll resist it. You’ll fight to hold on to what we had. But I need you to let go—for me. I need to know you’ll be happy again someday.

I can’t stand the thought of you going through life without really smiling. Really laughing. Without being held and loved and cherished.

Tears fell in large droplets onto the paper, smudging the ink as Jennie read. There wasn’t any reining them in. She swiped at the tears with the back of her hands but more just followed.

It kills me to think of someone else holding you, but this is one time I can’t be selfish. I don’t want you to be alone. So pick a man who makes you smile. Who makes you laugh. Who loves you and makes everything right in your world. Promise me, Bugsy. Move on.

And every once in a while, look up to the sky and let me see your gorgeous face. Your funny lopsided smile and your beautiful cinnamon eyes.

And for heaven’s sake, if it took you longer than two years to open this letter, find him quickly! You’ve wasted enough time.

I’ll love you always and forever,

Kyle

Jennie was laughing and crying when she heard the door open behind her. Chad sat quietly on the bed next to her without saying a word. He reached for a tissue and wiped her face for her, then passed her a plate of toast.

“Eat.”

Without a word, she took the plate and handed the letter to Chad. He looked at it and looked back at her.

“Where’d this come from?” he asked.

“I’ve been carrying it around in my purse.”

His eyebrows shot up. “You just opened it now?”

Jennie laughed and brushed at her tears with the back of her hand. “I’m slow. But apparently he knew that.”

She nodded at the letter. Chad looked at her for a second but began to read.

“Bugsy?” he asked with a smile.

She smiled and nodded, biting into the hot toast as Chad continued to read.

“He was a smart man,” he said when he finished the letter. “You should listen to him.”

She laughed and they sat quietly while Jennie ate and Chad waited. When she finished, he took the plate from her hands and set it on the table next to the bed. He pulled her onto his lap and held her tight.

She wasn’t crying anymore. She held onto Chad and let all the heartache and pain she’d been holding in for so long seep from her body. She’d never felt more emotionally drained.

But she also felt better than she had in a long time. She felt lighter, as if she’d finally lost a great load she’d carried for far too long.

She knew it was time to let Kyle go. And, she didn’t need Kyle to tell her to fall in love with Chad. She’d fallen in love with him a long time ago. She had just needed Kyle to tell her it was okay to feel