Page 17 of Single Dad Billionaire Boss

“I do know that,” Ella said, deflating. “But don’t you think putting restrictions on a person’s job search is unreasonable?”

“Not if it interferes with Zoe’s routine.”

“The interview is at one in the afternoon. I’ll be done in time to pick her up.”

“I’m not talking about just the interview,” I said, raking my fingers through my hair. “There will be others, I’m sure, and eventually you’ll be hired and leave abruptly like Kristen.”

Ella’s cheeks grew red again. “That’s not fair,” she said. “I’m nothing like Kristen. I had hoped you would’ve realized that by now.”

I exhaled wearily. “Fair enough,” I said. “But I offered you more money because I know it’s a big ask. And because the repercussions of an active job hunt are bound to affect Zoe’s routine and comfort level.”

“Yourcomfort level,” Ella said. “Zoe is doing great. The fact of the matter is, you’re more worried about your routine. And your control.”

“This is not about control,” I snapped. “My only interest in what you do is how it affects my daughter!”

Ella looked away, but not before I caught a glimpse of the hurt in her eyes. I wanted to blurt out an apology. I wanted so badly to tell her that I cared about her happiness too, and that the last thing I wanted was for her to walk away from being part of our lives. But I didn’t know how to back down from what I had said and the harsh way I had spoken to her.

“I’m going to go,” Ella said, and she started for the door.

“This came out all wrong,” I said, moving toward her, and Ella looked back at me over her shoulder. Her eyes were teary and her mouth was a stingy line of disappointment.

“My only interest here is Zoe,” Ella said coldly. “I don’t care about anything else.”

I swallowed back a lump in my throat. “Will you stay on until May then?” I asked. “When school gets out?”

Ella fixed her eyes on mine for a moment and then turned away. “Yes,” she said quietly. “I’ll take care of Zoe until then.”

Relief flooded over me. “Thank you,” I said. “For agreeing to continue, in spite of… well, in spite of me.”

Ella shook her head and avoided my gaze. I could tell that she didn’t want to hear any more of my clumsy apology, so I thanked her again and she left. I went into the family room and joined Zoe, who told me all about the episode ofBlueythat I had missed. I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t hear a word she said. My thoughts were only for Ella Clark.

Chapter9

9

Ella

After I left Jacob,I messaged Celia and asked to meet with her first thing in the morning. Then I emailed the private practice and withdrew my application for the job. Even though I knew I was doing the right thing, I tossed and turned all night about my decision.

The next morning, as soon as I dropped off Zoe, I headed straight to the health department and waited in the car for Celia to arrive. At five till eight, she parked beside me and her eyebrows shot up above her sunglasses. She rolled down her window and said, “In a hurry to see me?”

“Yeah,” I said miserably. Celia held up an iced coffee and smiled.

“Just what the doctor ordered,” she said, and I followed her inside. We sat down across from each other at her desk and I took a sip of the iced coffee. Cream and sugar, just the way I liked it, but still, it tasted bitter.

“All right, tell me what’s going on,” Celia said.

“I got an interview for that private practice job I told you about.”

“You didn’t want that job.”

“I know. I cancelled.”

Celia waited like the pro she is and let the silence stretch out until I told her.

“I didn’t want to give up nannying for Zoe. The pay is way less and the office is near Union Square. Rich, snobby patients.”

“So, what’s the problem then?”

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