Page 543 of Manhattan Bossholes

James

The letter dropped from my hand as I finally gave into my tears. It was more than I could’ve hoped for.

But…it wasn’t what I asked for. James stepping down? No. He was the heart and soul of Branson Designs, as much a part of the legacy as Bernie herself. There had to be a way to balance the company he loved and his love for me.

Steph came back into the family room and stared at me.

“What are you still doing here? Go.” She pointed at the door.

She was right. I jumped off the couch and got ready to begin my next chapter.

30

JAMES

Itried not to stare at my phone as the night ticked by.

I knew the package had been delivered and that she’d signed for it. I assumed she’d read the letter by now.

Still no response.

Yeah, my gift to her was an odd one, but I knew Natalie well enough to understand that there was a chance it would help me reach her.

If it didn’t? Well, I wasn’t sure how I was going to move forward without her in my life, but I’d find a way. Whatever her choice was, I’d respect it—no matter how much it hurt.

I poured myself a drink but wound up swirling the ice in the glass instead of sipping it. Alcohol wasn’t going to do me any favors, given my state of mind.

Then, finally, the sweetest sound. Banging on my front door, as loud as a SWAT team. My entire body shifted into readiness, tense with anticipation and ready to find out if Natalie was back for good. I flung open the door.

And there she was, looking like she’d thrown on sneakers and a coat without even bothering to brush her hair.

Flawless, as always.

“You…” she said in a strained voice, red-faced and splotchy but never more beautiful. “This.”

She held up the letter.

I nodded, my heart pounding. “Did you…did you like it? The suitcase?”

Natalie didn’t answer. She launched herself into my arm and buried her face in my neck. “It was wonderful and terrible at the same time.”

I eased my grip around her waist. “Hold on. How was it terrible?”

She slid down my body and gazed up at me. “Can I at least come in to talk about it?”

I moved out of the way, feeling awkward and nervous as fuck. The letter was supposed to fix everything. What had I done wrong?

“Yes, yes, of course,” I said, hiding my concern.

Natalie moved past me, and it took all of my self-control to not pull her into my arms again. She was here. That was a start.

We sat down in chairs opposite one another and for the first time I cursed all the space in the room. But it was probably better that she wasn’t near me. I didn’t want to accidentally catch a hint of her scent. That would make it so much harder to keep my hands to myself.

“Thank you for the gift,” Natalie began. “It was unexpected.”

“An odd choice, I know.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I loved it. It was perfect.”