A Blast from the Past (A Second Chance Romance) (31 page)

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Becky
kept thinking about the very tall, muscular, athletic looking hottie
who she had seen twice. Why was he talking to her, she wondered? She
knew she wanted to spend the week by herself to renew and relax
before she started her new life. There was no time for flirting on
her vacation. She definitely did not want to get caught up in some
guy who would just break her heart. A little fun couldn't hurt
anything, she told herself. She got ready for her day at the beach.
Becky loved the beach and could only imagine how much more beautiful
it would be than any she had ever seen. She had her bikini on under
her shorts and t-shirt. Usually she wore a one piece. She knew she
wasn't model material and had lots of curves, but this trip was about
a new start. There would be no chance of her ever seeing anyone from
the cruise again, so she was going to do whatever she wanted. Her bag
was packed with her towel, sunscreen, and her digital reader filled
with books. She had a happy bounce in her step as she exited the
ship. It was going to be a great day.

His
Assistant – Part 1

Prologue

Brooke

As I
sat in the front row of the funeral home, I could not help but think
about her life. My mom passed away just two days before. A chill ran
through my body, as I sniffed in the smell that surrounded me. I was
glad there were only three flower arrangements delivered. It would
have been hard to get any more than that back to the house. People
came in and out of the room, letting me know how sorry they were.
They all stood around telling stories about my mom. The entire room
acted as if they knew her so well. She had been such a good friend to
each of them, they claimed. I had to laugh, as I listened to the
bullshit going on around me. None of them knew her. Not a single one
of them were there for her. I can't remember any of them offering to
help me through those two long, painful years. If they were such good
friends, where the fuck were they when I needed help?

My
mom was an amazing woman. She was a single mom at only twenty. I have
no idea how she raised me alone. My father passed away in a car
accident before she even had the chance to tell him she was pregnant.
She admitted that I was a product of a one night stand but still
planned on letting him know. There were no pictures of him for her to
show me, and she didn't really know anything about him. My birth
certificate did not list anyone as my father. How sad right?

I
always loved to watch my friends with their dads and wished I could
have met mine. I was always Brooke Smith, the little girl without a
father. There are so many kids in the world with only one parent, but
all of my friends had two.

My
mom worked her ass off making sure I had what I needed. Sure we
struggled all the time, but she made sure I had the necessities. I
knew there were times she went without, so that I could have
something I really wanted. She had more than one job at a time for as
long as I could remember. I know she was often tired, but she never
let it show. Dinner was always ready. I might have had to heat it up,
but it was there when I got home from school. Thinking back, I don't
ever remember her dating. She was always so busy working and raising
me. It was just the two of us, but we made it work.

When
I was fourteen, we moved to Michigan. That was where my mom's parents
lived. We had only visited a few times when I was younger, so I
didn't really know them very well. I talked to them on the phone
sometimes, but that was about it. They seemed nice enough. We moved
into their house with them. My mom said she wanted to be there to
help them, because they were getting older. I really think she was
tired of working so hard, and it was cheaper to live there. They were
very loving right from the start. My grandmother made sure I ate well
and rode me every day about my homework. It was nice to have two more
people to love.

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.