Page 46 of Nanny for the Bossy Billionaire

But, as quickly as the thought enters, I shut it down. I know I can’t bring myself to do it. Given the circumstances, I would feel way too awkward walking up to him right now. Plus, I’m upset. I know myself, and I can recognize that I’m in no headspace to impress anyone.

So, I turn the handle of the door, and leave the room.

I thinkscientists should do some research into the effect of anger on food poisoning, because my burgeoning fever has broken, and my tummy ache is gone.

I can’t believe Reid would do something like this.

I spend the next 30 minutes doing my nighttime routine and get into bed. My intention is to pass out, but I’m so furious that I soon realize that that’s a fool’s errand.

About an hour after I left Reid to his guests I hear a knock at my door. I don’t answer, but after a while, it opens a sliver and Reid slips in.

“I’m sorry,” is all he says.

I sit up in bed. “For what? Lying to me about the fact that you had a dinner party planned for tonight? A dinner party which Chef Aranda attended. Or for flirting with that woman?”

“I wasn’t flirting with Faith.”

“Faith? That’s a pretty name, and it’s interesting that you know exactly who I’m talking about.”

“It’s not hard to guess who you mean.”

I barrel past his answer. “I get it, she’s an attractive woman and is your contemporary. It makes more sense for you to be with her than me.”

He rushes forward, sits on my bed and takes my hand. I pull it back almost immediately and he sighs.

“Naomi, I wasn’t flirting with her.”

“But she was flirting with you.”

“If she was, I didn’t notice.”

“Whatever. I’m actually more concerned about the fact that you lied to my face about your plans for tonight. Why? So you could keep me out of the house and away from Chef Aranda? I mean, you literally told me you plan to have a quiet night at home tonight.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lied, but yes, my motivation for lying was keeping you away from Gabriel.”

I scoff. “You still want to keep me away from Chef Aranda?”

“Well, yes. I thought I had made myself clear on the topic.”

“You said all of that was in the past. I thought that meant you were over it.”

“I am over it, but at the same time, I’m still not going to introduce you to Gabriel.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s not my job to help my staff find other employment,” he spits.

I actually wince at the acidity in his words.

He takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that how it came out.”

“Actually, I think you did.”

“Naomi, come on.”

“That’s the second time you’ve referred to me as the help tonight. I get the message. You are the boss and I’m the hired help. That’s all.”

“You know that’s not true.”

---