The Future of Love (Bachelor Billionaire #6) (35 page)

Everything
was great for four years. My mom worked one job, so I was able to see
her more. It was nice to see her with her parents. They seemed so
happy to have her home. I often wondered why she moved away in the
first place. Mom always said it was better for us to live where we
had. I thought it would have been better with them. She must have had
her reasons, right?

My
high school years were great. Keeping my grades up was difficult, but
I did it and was looking forward to college. I wanted to go into
business and planned to eventually own my own company. Working for
someone else didn't appeal to me at all. It was going to be great. I
would be able to take care of my mom one day. Then she wouldn't have
to work. She would be able to do all of the things she never had time
for while she was raising me. I had been accepted to University of
Michigan. It was going to be awesome to live in the dorms and be on
my own.

Two
days after my graduation, my grandparents were killed in a car
accident. They were hit by a drunk driver who had crossed over the
line. I never understood how people could make such bad decisions.
Why risk other people's lives? I get that they want to drink, but why
get behind the wheel of a car? My mom had a very hard time with their
death. I did too. She felt bad for not being there for them before
and regretted staying away for so long. It was horrible. I had just
gotten to know them. They were such wonderful, caring people. I
really missed them and always would. It would have been nice to have
known them longer. We should have been there.

They
willed the house to my mom and me. We wanted to stay there. It was
where she had grown up and where I had gotten to know them. I decided
to stay home and commute to school, so my mom wouldn't be alone. It
wouldn't have been that long of a drive each day, but my mom as
adamant that I still dorm my first year. She didn't want me to miss
out on experiencing the fun side of college life. I knew I would make
sure to go home most weekends. It was going to be strange being away
from her.

I
jumped when I felt someone touch my leg. It was the funeral director.
I had almost forgotten where I was. It was easy to block out all of
the noise around me. I wanted the day to be over more than you can
imagine. It was so hard to sit there while everyone talked about my
mom like they knew her. They were all going to leave that day and go
on with their lives. By the time they got home, they would be done
thinking about her and be busy thinking about what they were going to
make for dinner. She deserved better than that. I was relieved when
the director asked me to go into his office to sign something. It was
tiring being around all of the fake people surrounding my mom's
ashes, pretending to care.

The
viewing would be over in fifteen minutes. Then, I would take my mom's
urn and ashes home where they belonged. Before she passed, we agreed
to only one day of visitation. I wanted her to have a large funeral
and burial, but she refused to agree with me. She wanted to be
cremated and have just a short visitation. I know she thought it
would be easier for me. After sitting all day in a room full of
strangers, I had to agree with her. It would have been too hard for
me to sit with her body in front of me for longer than a day.

I
know it wasn't fair of me to think negatively about all of the people
who came to pay their respects, but that didn't change the way I
felt. She had worked with some of them. A few of them were my
grandparents' friends. Some of my mom's high school friends came. I'm
not sure how they found out. I didn't put anything in the paper. My
mom was strict on her direction for that. It was not to happen. I
couldn't figure out why. Again, I'm sure she had her reasons.

She
was never one to explain her feelings. All she ever said was “I
have my reasons.”

When
the last person left, I was so relieved. It had finally ended.
Everything that I had known for so long was over. What was I going to
do with my life?

Chapter
1

Brooke

Two
Weeks Later

As I
sat in the reception area of Luke Technologies, I could not stop my
hands from shaking. I was waiting to interview for a secretary
position. Would I see him? Would he be there for the interview? His
company was in a very nice building. I was surprised to find out it
was only twenty minutes from my house. It took me a week to gather
the nerve to apply for a job there. I was so relieved to find
something available that fit with my resume. My legs shook as I
waited patiently. Hopefully, I wouldn't start sweating or embarrass
myself. I didn't want to give anything away.

You're
probably wondering how I ended up there. I was surprised myself.

The
day after my mother's viewing; I woke up and remembered what she had
said to me the night she passed away. I was snuggling next to her in
her bed. She hadn't spoken for most of the day and was very weak. I
felt her squeeze my hand and looked over at her.

“I
love you so much, Brooke,” she said. “You know that
right?”

I
could barely understand her words.

“Yes
mom,” I answered. “I love you too.”

“In
the attic is a box with your name on it. It's right inside the door.
After I'm gone, I want you to open it. Promise me you'll wait until
after my viewing.”

Her
voice was so weak. What could she have in a box? It was probably
stuff from my childhood. Maybe it was something she had saved for me.

“I
promise mom. What is it?” I asked.

“I
love you. You'll always be my baby girl. You're my everything,”
she said. “Please remember that. Everything I have ever done
was for you. I want your dreams to come true, Brooke. I love you.”

“I
love you too mom. You're the best mom a girl could have. I could
never doubt your love.”

That
was the last thing we said to each other, as she drifted off for the
last time.

I
hadn't thought about those words since that night. Those few had past
in a blur. Everything seemed like a dream. As the sun lit up the
room, I thought about her words. What could she possibly have in the
attic? I missed her so much. She was my best friend. We had grown so
close over the past two years. Maybe it was memories of us together.

I
couldn't wait any longer to find out what my mother had kept for me.
Slowly, I opened the door and turned the flashlight on. On the floor
was a box, just off to the right. It had my name on it. That must be
the box she was talking about, I thought. I picked it up and carried
it out of the attic and down the stairs. Letting out a huge breath, I
opened the lid. The box was full. On top of what was inside was
tissue paper. Why did she cover the contents? On top of the tissue
paper was an envelope with my name on it. I picked up the envelope
and sat down on the couch to prepare myself and my emotions. Slowly,
I pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it. I was not even close
to prepared for what I was about to read.

A
Love Rekindled (The Game of Love #1)

Chapter
1

Jessica

Jessica
stood as she looked at herself in the mirror. It was Friday night,
and she had been invited to a Christmas party. Her friend Linda, from
work, was having all of her friends over for an evening celebration.
Jessica had not been out in months. Her friends from work tried to
get her to go out with them often, but she always turned them down.
She liked being at home with her son. He was her everything. That was
what she had always told them.

Her
sister Renee talked her into going to the party. She knew Jessica
needed to get out and have a little grown up time. Renee was two
years younger than Jessica, and they had been best friends their
entire lives. Anytime Jessica needed her little sister, she was
there. Renee volunteered to watch her favorite nephew for the night,
so that that Jessica would go out and be with her friends. Jessica
didn't want to hurt her friend Linda's feelings, so she agreed to go
to the party. She figured if she stayed for a few minutes, she could
leave without anyone noticing.

The
doorbell rang and snapped Jessica from her thoughts. She ran and
opened the door. It was her sister Renee. She had her hands full of
pizza boxes and bags.

“
Where
is my favorite nephew?” Renee called out.

“
I'm
right here,” a cute, little, brown haired, blue eyed boy
shouted, as he ran up to hug her.

“
I
brought pizza, soda, popcorn, and candy,” she said. “We
are going to have some fun.”

The
little boy laughed and ran back into the living room.

“
You
better not feed him all of that stuff,” Jessica snapped.

“
We
are going to have fun. I don't get to spend as much time with him
now,” Renee said. “Go get ready for your party.”

“
I
am ready,” Jessica said.

“
You
are wearing jeans a sweater to a party with your work friends?”
Renee asked.

“
I
am not staying long. This is fine,” Jessica said.

“
No,”
Renee said, as she put the boxes and most of the bags down.

There
was a dress bag wrapped around her arm. She held it out with another
bag toward her sister.

“
This
is what you are wearing,” Renee said. “Go get dressed.”

Jessica
blew out a sigh, took the stuff from her sister, and headed to her
bedroom. What did it matter what she wore, she thought? There was
nobody she needed to impress. She wasn't even planning to stay.
Aggravated, she took off her clothes and pulled out the dress. It was
beautiful, she thought. The dress was knee length and a very pretty
red. Jessica put it on and looked into the mirror. She smiled at
herself. It did look much better than jeans. The front was a little
lower cut than she would have liked. Her sister always wore things
more revealing than her, so she was not surprised. In the bag was a
pair of heels, necklace, and very cute little round earrings. She put
everything on and finished getting ready.

As
she looked at herself, she started to feel a little better about
going out. She decided to do her hair and put on a little more
makeup. By the time she was done, she had a huge smile on her face.
Maybe it would be a fun night after all. She would do her best to
have a great time. It was the first time she had been out in months,
and she was actually looking forward to it. She felt pretty.

Jessica
walked into the kitchen and her sister let out a whistle.

“
Now,
you are ready,” Renee said, as she laughed. “You look
beautiful. That dress was made for you. It shows all of your amazing
curves, and your ass looks juicy.”

“
Thank
you,” Jessica said, as she laughed. “I am glad you
approve of my ass. It is a beautiful dress. You have such good
taste.”

“
Of
course I do,” Renee laughed. “Go have a great time. We
will be here having fun. Please try to enjoy yourself.”

“
I
will,” Jessica said. “I feel weird that I don't have a
date. I don't want to be the only single woman there.”

“
I'm
sure you won't be the only one without a date,” Renee said.
“Maybe there will be a super sexy hottie there for you. If not
you can always go home with John from work. He has been into you
forever.”

“
That's
not funny,” Jessica replied. “You know I don't feel that
way toward him.”

“
Get
out of here,” Renee said. “Don't do anything I wouldn't
do.”

They
both laughed as Jessica hugged her son and left for the party.

Chapter
2

Jessica

Jessica
pulled up to her friend Linda's house. She parked her car as she
thought about her life. Since high school, she had accomplished so
much and was proud of herself. She had gotten a job in an office as a
scared teenager. Seven years later, she had worked herself into
management. She had become strong and confident. That scared little
girl was gone. She owned her own home and had taken care of her and
her son. Surely, she could get through a tiny party.

She
let out a deep, nervous breath as she got out of her car. Only stay
for a little while, and then you can leave. She had no idea why she
was so nervous about going alone. Her friends at work knew she was
single. It was not a big secret. She still felt weird about going
into the party without a date. Jessica walked up the steps to the
front door and froze. Maybe she should just go back home, she
thought. Before she could turn around, the door swung open, and Linda
reached out and grabbed her arm.

Linda
pulled her into the house. There was music playing and laughter
everywhere. Linda had her house decorated for the holiday, with cute
things everywhere. Jessica was surprised at how many people were
already there. The party had just started. Linda walked her to the
bar area so she knew where to get her drinks. Then, she pulled her
off to meet people. Jessica had no idea how she was going to remember
all of the names Linda was throwing at her. She met so many new
people. Linda was so proud of her party, and she was having such a
great time.