Page 77 of Nanny for the Bossy Billionaire

Reid is at work, Ruth is off somewhere in the house doing one of the million things she does every day, and I just put Ethan down for his nap. So I figure I might as well take advantage of this time and take a nap myself.

I have just gotten into bed when my phone rings. I look at it and see that it’s a private number. So I answer cautiously.

“Hello?”

“Hello. This is Gabriel Aranda. Am I speaking with Naomi Davidson?”

It’s been weeks since I auditioned for Chef Aranda. Since I hadn’t heard from him, I figured I probably didn’t get the mentorship and he didn’t know how to break it to me because Lord knows Reid wouldn’t take it well.

“Oh, Chef Aranda. Yes, good afternoon. This is Naomi.”

“How are you doing? I heard about your accident.”

“I’m on the mend. I’m not 100% yet, but I am well on my way.”

“How much longer have the doctors given you to heal?”

“Well, I have a tibia fracture. According to the doctors, it could have been much worse. They said it would take anywhere from 10 to 20 weeks to heal. I’m five weeks in.”

“So you’re looking at another 5 to 15 weeks?” His voice is a little disappointed.

“Unfortunately, that’s what it looks like.”

He is silent for a moment. I would prompt him to continue, but that seems disrespectful.

After a while, he says, “I wanted to offer you the mentorship position.”

I gasp and my hand goes to my mouth. “Really?”

“Yes, really. I have wanted to tell you for a while, but when Reid told me about your accident, I figured it would be better if I let you recuperate in peace.”

“I can’t believe this is happening.”

“Surely, that’s not true. The food you served me was the best an amateur has ever cooked for me. You must know how good you are.”

“Thank you, Chef, but a person can’t really be objective about their skills, and you’re the first professional chef to taste anything I’ve cooked.”

“Well, you’re good, and I would have loved to help you hone your skills.”

The smile drops from my face as I register his use of the past tense. “Would have?”

“Yes, Ms. Davidson. 15 weeks is too long for me to wait for you. I appreciate that you have no control over your circumstances, but 15 weeks is a lot.”

My heart starts to sink to a very familiar place in the pit of my stomach.

Of course.

My dreams are always just within my grasp then I miss them. This isn’t new, but it hurts just as much.

I clear my throat. “Well, thank you Chef Aranda. I appreciate the opportunity to have cooked for you.”

I’m prepared to leave it like that when something occurs to me. “Actually, no.”

“I’m sorry?”

“No, you can’t turn me down. You said it yourself, my food is the best you’ve ever had from an amateur. I am good. I am really good. I’m going to be as great as you one day or even greater. You can choose to run away from working with me because it’ll be a little inconvenient or you can choose to be a part of my origin story. Which one is it?”

There is silence on the line for a moment, then he sighs. “Fine, I’ll take you on.”

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