Page 35 of The Billionaire & the Nanny: Vol. 3

Logan

I n the past,when a staff member of mine has left, that’s it. I don’t invite them back. I don’t beg and plead. None of that. I let them go. Free will is a beautiful thing. But I’ll say this—it’s only happened twice. One’s departure was caused by a jealous boyfriend, the other because my maid got pregnant (not by me, smartasses). Both things I couldn’t do anything about .

But Paisley left because of me .

I feel like shit about that and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. I could’ve spoken to her differently. I could’ve shown her she was appreciated. Lots of “I could haves.” But instead, I drove her away. And now I’m driving back to her—literally .

My Lamborghini flies down the highway, crosses the bridge and corners throughout Brooklyn. When my car tells me I’ve arrived at Paisley’s apartment, I step out and note the faces in windows all over the buildings looking out at me down on the street. Maybe I should’ve gone with the Bentley or any one of my more understated vehicles .

It’s a shitty part of town. I don’t know why that bothers me, because I love New York. All parts of it. But something inside me wants to take Paisley Carrington away from this grimy area and put her where she deserves to be—in an apartment in the City, something newer, something more special. Somewhere closer to me .

I run up the steps of the brownstone in need of updating and press the call button for Paisley’s apartment. The sky looms low overhead, pregnant with snow. Her voice comes over the intercom. “Hello ?”

“Paisley, it’s me, Logan .”

There’s a pause. I know I’ve shown up by surprise after two weeks, but I needed to see her .

“Why are you here? You could’ve called or texted .”

“It’s not the same. I wanted to talk to you. Let me up.” At that moment, I realize how bossy I sound even when I’m not on my territory. “Please,” I add .

The door buzzes. I pull on the handle and come inside from the cold. The elevator takes forever, so I use the stairs all the way to the fifth floor. Luckily, I’m in great shape from all the extra stress workouts lately. When I arrive at Apt. 5B, it takes a moment for her to come to the door. It occurs to me that maybe she’s not alone. Jealousy flurries through me that reminds me of the night I pulled her out of the bar when I saw her surrounded by all those men and couldn’t figure out what I was feeling .

I know now what that feeling was .

She opens and peers out through a three-inch space like I’m a stranger. Finally, I get to see those eyes again. It’s her and she looks amazing, but tired. “Can I come in?” I ask .

She relents. “Sorry about the mess.” It’s clear she doesn’t want to see me, is still angry. I don’t blame her at all. The door opens fully, and I step inside. I don’t see a mess. I just see a normal apartment, like the one I grew up in before I had a full staff to clean up after me. Paisley walks off, leaving me to close the door and show myself in. She stands in the kitchen, resuming food prep at the counter. “I was making egg salad for lunch. Do you want some ?”

“No, thanks. I just ate.” I haven’t eaten lunch at all, but I’m not hungry. “Paisley, I want you to come back. The kids miss you .”

“Only the kids ?”

“I miss you, too. And the kids…it’s not going well with the new girl .”

“You mean Caitlyn?” An eyebrow arches at me .

“How did you know her name ?”

“Logan, really? We’re all from Le Nanny.” She chops eggs. More chopping. I’m scared to come near her with that knife in her hand .

“Doesn’t mean you all know each other .”

“Well, we do. In fact, she lives here. She’s my roommate. I thought you knew that. She’s the blonde I was sitting with that night at the bar when you so forcefully made me leave? Remember ?”

I knew I knew Caitlyn from somewhere. She looked so familiar, but I couldn’t figure out why. “To be honest, I wasn’t looking at anyone but you that night, Paisley.” At this, she silently mixes all the ingredients in the bowl. I use it as my clue to go on. “I don’t think of anyone but you. You’ve been on my mind, and it’s driving me insane. The kids don’t want Caitlyn. They want you. I want you, too .”

She shrugs as tears well up in her eyes. “Well, I can’t .”

“Why not ?”

“Logan, I’m not made of stone. I can’t just live at your place, take care of your kids, be intimate with you, then pretend it doesn’t hurt when you threaten to fire me or hire my roommate as my replacement. I know how you welcome new nannies, and since Caitlyn is only the hottest girl I know, I can only imagine how well you initiated her .”

“Initiated? You think I sleep with everyone I hire? You think I slept with Caitlyn ?”

“If the shoe fits .”

“The shoe doesn’t fit. I’ve never slept with my staff before, Paisley. I mean, yes, I did with you, but that was different. I never slept with Caitlyn. In fact, I’m going to fire her regardless of whether or not you come back .”

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