Page 30 of Time Stops With You

“Yeah, right. This isn’t a regular public school, Mr. Cullen. Not anyone can just waltz in?—”

“You can do just about anything if you donate a new lab.” The words come out snobbier than I intend, but they’re the truth so I let them hover in the air.

Nardi blinks, shell-shocked.

I step closer, ignoring the faint smell of vanilla and honey radiating from her dark skin. “Nardi, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. It is very much your choice if you don’t want to marry me. However, it is also my choice to do everything in my power to change your mind.”

“And buying a wing in Josiah’s school is going to do it?” She fires back. “Do you think I care if this snooty school gets another donation? Let me answer that.I don’t!”

I chuckle.

She glares, flames bursting through brown eyes. “Did you justlaughat me?”

“No.” I cover my mouth with a fist and cough. “Something was… was in my throat.”

“I can see you smiling, Mr. Cullen. Please explain to me what’s so amusing.”

“It’s…”

“What?”

“Your lack of emotional regulation.”

She twists her lips tightly. “My lack of… are you saying I’munhinged?”

“What? No, that’s not… I mean, I find it refreshing?—”

“Fine! Let me show you what ‘unhinged’ looks like.” Nardi steps right into me. The wind picks up her hair and it brushes the side of my cheek. The sun transforms her irises from black to a thick, honey brown.

Nardi posts her finger just under my chin, her eyes narrowed. “If Ieversee you in front of me or Josiah again, you won’t have to wonder whether or not it’s your last day on this earth. I’ll makesureit is.”

Four

NARDI

I grip the steering wheel hard enough to yank it straight off and speed away from Josiah’s school. My heart is still racing. Indignation grows in the pit of my stomach.

Enraged, I slam my foot against the gas and burnrubber.

You lack emotional regulation.

Ha!

Me?

Me?

Ronan Cullen is a millionaire programmer. A modern-day Rapunzel locked in his ivory tower of privilege and money. He hasnoidea. My entire life, I’ve been biting my tongue. The moment I came to America, I could donothingbut keep my head down and take people’s crap.

And oh boy, there wassomuch crap on tap.

Back at the housekeeping agency, I was stuck with the pickiest client on the roster. For six months, I was berated, insulted, and carried out ridiculous tasks. I once had to sweepthe same spot over and over because of an indistinguishable speck of dust that turned out to be a nick in the wooden floor.

Through it all, I didn’toncecomplain or show my frustration.

Not to mention, getting Josiah into this fancy school.

Does Ronan Cullen think that opportunity dropped into my lap? I had to do my share of butt-kissing and line-waiting and form-filling…

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