Page 96 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 3

“Of course.”

“Do you think I was unhappy before I lost my memory?”

“I believe you were happy.”

“There isn’t anything that seemed off about me? Anything at all to indicate that I wasn’t?”

It looked like he was deep in thought as we entered Central Park. “Do you want my honest opinion? As a friend?”

“Yes.”

“I think you’ve always struggled a little with self-confidence. You felt lucky that James fell for you and you have a hard time understanding why he’s lucky too.”

I sighed. “That sounds like me. It’s kind of how I feel right now. I mean…what is he doing with someone like me? He could have anyone…”

“He loves you, Penny. And you have no reason to doubt your self-worth. You’re smart and funny and kind. He’s lucky to have you. And he knows it. You just have to accept that.”

The note hadn’t felt like I didn’t understand James’ love. Maybe I did feel worthy of him. Maybe I had finally realized that we were both lucky, instead of just me. James could have been right about everything. The letter was just an unfortunate coincidence.

Ian’s phone started buzzing. “Hey, Jen,” he said. “I’m working right now. I’ll have to call you back…” He paused. “We can find a new florist…” Another pause. “Babe, it’s late. We can look tomorrow.”

“You can go if you need to,” I said.

He pulled his phone away from his ear. “Yeah, I’m not leaving you out here alone. James would kill me.”

“It sounds like Jen will kill you if you don’t. I talked to James about it earlier. He thinks that crazy doctor is long gone. You’ve seen no sign that he’s around. Trust me, I can take care ofmyself.” I thought about when I'd kneed Tyler in the balls in the chapter I had read. I was kick ass. “And I’ll head back now if it makes you feel better.”

He glanced at his phone and then back at me.

“Really. Go.”

“Are you sure?”

I looked around. It was late, but there were a few people still walking through Central Park. I was safe here. “I’m sure.”

He put his cell back up to his ear. “I’ll be there in a few minutes, baby. Love you too.” He hung up. “Let me just walk you back real quick.”

“Ian, I’m fine. See?” I started walking backwards in the direction we had come. “I even know the way.”

He laughed. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow. And thank you. You’re right, she was probably going to kill me.”

I smiled and waved before he turned and started walking in the opposite direction.

This was what I had wanted anyway. A little time to myself and some fresh air. I took a deep breath. The air didn’t seem as stale in the park. I slowly walked back toward the apartment.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I glanced over my shoulder, but no one was there. Why did I keep feeling like someone was watching me? Usually I could dismiss it becauseI knew the security detail was tailing me. But tonight? Ian was gone. No one else knew I was out here.

I picked up my pace.So much for a relaxing stroll.But I had gotten everything I needed from this walk. Talking to Ian was exactly what I had needed. I’d always had issues with self-confidence. It made sense that they plagued me into adulthood. But it didn’t mean I was depressed. If anything, it would have just made me want to prove that I was worthy of James. I smiled to myself. That was probably what the book was for. And the pen name. All of it. I wanted to show him that I wasn’t just some stupid trophy wife. But James already knew that. I could tell by the way he looked at me.

“Penny? Penny is that you?”

I turned around, expecting to see Ian. But it was an older man jogging up to me. His gray hair was slightly askew and looked in bad need of a cut. Really, he looked disheveled in general. But he also looked familiar. Just like the scenes in the book felt familiar. And the dreams I’d been having.

“Oh, it is you.” He smiled. He had a perfectly white, straight smile that did not at all fit with the rest of him. I would have guessed he was homeless before he smiled. But now that he was closer, I could tell he definitely wasn’t homeless. He was just a little dirty. Like he had accidentally fallen asleep out here. Or rolled around in the grass. Or something. I studied him as he brushed a leaf off his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, do I know you?” I asked.

“Yes, yes. I’m a good friend of Jon’s. We’ve met before but it’s been several years.”