Page 84 of Nanny for the Bossy Billionaire

“I’m actually not sure why I’m here,” I reply.

“Either way, I’m glad you’re here.” He smiles. “Would you like to go for a drive?”

I think about it for a moment, and then agree.

He smiles again and then helps me into the car and we are off.

Neither one of us says anything to each other during the drive, but it’s not awkward. We just sit in each other’s company until he pulls up to Shoreline Park.

Again, he helps me out of the car and we start walking. This has always been one of my favorite parks because it’s by the water. I like seeing the boats, the families with kids at the swing set, the beautiful wildlife. I find it so calming.

I’m so lost in taking in my surroundings that it’s a little bit of a jolt when Reid says, “I’m sorry.”

I look at his profile. “I mean, you say that an awful lot.”

“I know, but I mean it.”

“Even if you do mean it, I’m not sure it matters anymore.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Even if I accept your apology, I can’t forget that you wanted me to turn down an amazing opportunity for you.”

He stops walking and turns to me. “No, I don’t want that.”

“Then why did you say it?”

“Because I freaked out. Of course I don’t think you should turn Gabriel down because of us. In fact, if you did that I would have you committed because that’s crazy.”

“How do I know what you said that day isn’t how you really feel, and that this isn’t an act?” I ask.

“What I said was messed up, but I’m not apologizing to manipulate you. I genuinely know that I was wrong, and I knew it the moment I walked out of that room. I’m here because I would like your forgiveness…” He casts his eyes downward. “And for you to give me another chance.”

He looks more vulnerable than I’ve ever seen and part of my heart breaks all over again.

“I can see accepting your apology, but I don’t think it would be wise for us to get back together. These kinds of things seem to happen a lot with us. How do I know it won’t keep happening?”

“I can’t give you that guarantee. I would love to promise that I will never behave poorly again, but that would be a lie. But isn’t that what a relationship is? Agreeing to put up with each other’s neuroses? Although I strive to be, I’m not perfect. I can’t say I’ll never act crazy again, but I can assure you that I will work through my shit. All I ask is for your patience.”

“You’re right. We all mess up, but ultimately, I’m not sure about how supportive you are about all this. I can’t believe you’ve gone from hating the idea of a long-distance relationship to being okay with it in the span of a week.”

He pulls out an envelope from the inside of his jacket and hands it to me.

I pull out the papers in the envelope and look at them.

“This is in French.”

“Yes, it is. Those are the preliminary papers for the house I plan to buy in Paris.”

I raise my eyebrows. “What?”

“I flew to Paris a couple of days ago and looked at some properties. This is the one I think you would like best. Also, if you don’t, you can pick something else.”

I shake my head. “I don’t understand.”

“I’m buying this house for us. Well, for you mostly. You can stay there while you’re doing your apprenticeship. I’ll try to make it down to France as often as I can. It is a 12-hour flight on my jet, so I won’t be able to make the trip as often as I would like, but I think we can make it work.”

I look from the papers in my hand to Reid, back and forth a couple of times. “You’re buying a house? In Paris?”

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