Page 42 of Running to You

But the pain was overwhelming.

“Hey, it’s okay.” Sam’s hand slid over her hair, a gentle touch that felt so familiar it made her want to cry. “You’ll remember. Don’t try to force it.”

She was still breathing through the pain when Sam said, “Jeanette, do you remember when that was?”

“It was early summer, five years ago.” Jeanette’s cool fingers brushed Eliza’s scalp. “Are you all right?”

She nodded, not quite ready to speak.

“The pain usually passes after a few moments,” Sam said. “Did Eliza say why she was going with them?”

“You didn’t tell me much, Eliza. Just said it was a good opportunity, and you needed to get away.”

She couldn’t see but imagined, by the hardness in those last words, that her friend was shooting Sam another look. But then her tone softened again. “You promised you’d keep in touch. But I never heard from you again.”

How could she have done that? Abandoned her best friend? What kind of person would do that?

“And then I got the letter yesterday,” Jeanette added. “Mailed overnight express.”

Eliza’s eyes snapped open.

Sam asked, “What letter?”

She looked up at him, then back at Eliza. “You broke up with him. Do you remember that? Did he tell you—?”

“He told me. I don’t remember.”

“He tell you why?”

“She’ll remember on her own.” His words were measured. Not defensive. Not angry.

But hope blossomed in Eliza’s chest. Maybe she could at least get one question answered. “Jeanette, tell me what happened. Surely you know.”

“Nope.” Jeanette’s lips popped on the P. “You wouldn’t say. But by your reaction, he hurt you. Badly.”

Eliza’s gaze flicked to Sam, expecting to see the angry mask he donned so much these days. But she only saw sadness. He caught her looking and schooled his expression. “Tell us about the letter.”

Again, Jeanette spoke to Eliza. “You don’t remember?”

“Nothing for five years until Friday night.”

Her friend stood and rounded the desk, where she opened a drawer and grabbed a huge floppy purse. From it, she pulled a white overnight envelope with familiar orange and purple text on the side. Jeanette handed it toward her.

Eliza could feel Sam itching to grab it, but he restrained himself.

“You carry it with you?” Eliza took it.

“Read it. You’ll understand.”

She took a single sheet of note paper from inside and unfolded it. It had the Hyatt Hotels logo on the top.

Dear Jeanette,

I have so many things to say to you, things I’ll explain in person soon. I hope you can forgive me for disappearing, for not keeping my promise. Until I have a chance to explain, please know one thing: I should have listened to you. I’m sorry.

There’s nobody I trust more to take care of this for me. I’ll be there soon. Until then, keep it somewhere safe. My future depends on it.

I love you.