Page 28 of The Billionaire's Commitment

He had been trying to impress me, and I was touched. It made him more attractive that he would try and do something nice like this and even do some research. It let me see a different side of him, one that was just as unsure of himself as I was, and it made me like him more.

“Do you want to stay? Maybe we can find a painting that reminds us of Mr. Procop, and we can cry on each other’s shoulders?” I offered.

Brody laughed. “As fun as that sounds, I have another idea of what we could do. I promise you it is not indoors. It does not involve paintings or sculptures or anything that might require us to think or figure something out we never will. If you’re willing, it’s still in the city, but it’s a little farther away. Are you up to trying that with me?”

He looked at me as if he was waiting for me to tell him the meaning of life and whatever I told him would be the most incredible thing he had ever heard. The museum had been a bust, but I still enjoyed spending time with him, and I didn’t want the day to end.

“Okay. I trust you. Let’s go,” I said.

Chapter 13

Brody

It was a perfect day for a ferry ride, and I had the joy of seeing Zoey’s confusion when she thought I was going to take her to Staten Island. We weren’t going there but instead to a place I had been to a few times and would go on my days off. Eric had gone with me once, and he liked the island, but he hadn’t been overly fond of the boat ride, even if it was only eight hundred yards from Manhattan; Eric wasn’t a fan of the water or boats.

I liked going over, it was a quick boat ride, and when I got off the boat, I felt like I was in a different world. The trees were green and lush, and there were plenty of places to walk and get lost or just sit on a bench and let the world go by. It was a bit more of a trek to get to than Central Park, but I liked it better, and it was less crowded.

“There are other islands than Staten Island?” Zoey asked as we got on the boat.

“Manhattan is an island, and Brooklyn and Queens are part of a bigger island, so yes,” I said.

“Did you look that up too before this?” she asked.

“No. I did when I found out I was coming to New York. I wanted to know as much about the area as I could. I’m sure you remember that I was a bit of a nerd in school. I have always felt the more information I have, the better prepared I can be and not freak out if things go sideways.”

“I’m sure that helped you out when you were in the Navy.”

“I guess. I learned how to use it to my advantage. I was the one who was always pouring over the books or the maps the day before an assignment, so I didn’t miss anything. I wasn’t in a lead position, but my fellow SEALs learned to rely on me and my judgment, and I was glad to give it.”

“You always liked helping others and doing right by people,” she said.

“As do you,” I said.

“We weren’t talking about me.” The boat had pulled out of the dock. She leaned on the edge of the rail and looked at me. The wind blew her hair around the top of her head and framed her face. It was short enough it didn’t cover any of her striking features, and I was glad.

“Now we are,” I said and leaned on the rail with her but with my back to the water. I had seen the view a bunch of times, and it didn’t hold a candle to the one I was looking at now.

“I do like helping people. It’s why I want to be a lawyer. Or at least something like that. I’m not one to get into a courtroom and make a big speech, but I want to help people. Working with Project Reform allows me to do that and see what else I can do before I become a lawyer, whatever form that will be.”

“When you’re passionate about something, you can find a way to make it work for you. If you want to be a lawyer, you should be. Not all lawyers go into a courtroom. You could be one of those that doesn’t.”

“I like being behind the scenes. I might be able to do what I want to do and not go to law school. Being here is giving me a chance to see that. I’m not one who needs or wants the limelight. I can help others in small ways just as much as others can in big ways.”

“Do you feel that you are?” I asked and held her gaze.

“I hope so. It’s hard to tell at times because the cases we get will take a long time to prove, and some are such long shots, but I like thinking I can or will.”

“If you stayed for longer, you could find out. I’m sure you could extend your internship, or they might even have a paid position for you,” I suggested.

“No. I might continue to do this in or maybe another city, but I’m done with New York when my year is up,” she said.

“You make it sound like a prison sentence.”

“Nothing like that. Though the first two weeks I was here, I didn’t leave my apartment except to go to work,” she said and blushed.

I could tell it wasn’t something she would normally admit to anyone, and I wondered if she had told anyone. I was glad she had felt comfortable enough to confide in me, and I hoped she would tell me even more secrets.

“If I hadn’t had Eric and Logan to go out with and see the sights with, I might have done the same. It’s a lot to take in; it’s big and can be scary.”

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