Page 62 of Nanny for the Bossy Billionaire

“I believe you when you say that, but I’m not sure it’s enough. I know you. When it comes down to it, you will do what’s best for Ethan, which is as it should be, but I have to think of myself. While you’re looking out for yourself and Ethan, someone has to be looking out for me.”

“Naomi, that’s exactly what I’m saying. I will be looking out for you because I love you.”

I pull my hands out of his. “Don’t say that.”

“Why? It’s true.” I start to lift the tray off me but he stops me. “Listen, I know it seems like I said that just to get you to give me another chance, but that’s not the reason. I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I do in fact love you. Whether you decide to give me another chance or not, I just want you to know how I feel.”

“Reid, I want to believe you, but I’m not sure I can.”

“And I can’t control that, but you should know I take this seriously. I’ve only ever said those words to one other person, Ethan’s mother.”

I’m silent for a moment. I think he means it, and as amazing as that is, I’m scared of what it portends. If he loves me, it’ll be that much harder to walk away knowing I’m shattering his heart, and mine too. But if I stay…

“Naomi,” he calls my name, but I don’t look at him. So his hand goes to my chin and he gently turns my head to face him. “Naomi, the things I feel for you, I have never felt for anyone else. I know you can feel it. If you give us another chance, we could really be amazing together.”

He holds my gaze then slowly lowers his head. His eyes question my every move then he takes my lips in a tender kiss.

I can’t explain it, but I feel the truth of his words in his kiss.

“I love you too,” I say, in a whisper so low that I worry he might not hear, but he does. I can tell by the smile that spreads across his face.

“Does that mean what I think it means?”

I nod. “Yes, let’s give this another try.”

He sighs and his body actually sags with relief.

“Thank you.” He kisses me again. “Thank you so much. You won’t regret this.”

“Well, I hope not.”

I finish off my breakfast, which is delicious to the last bite, then Reid gets in bed with me and we cuddle for a little bit.

I’m about to get up and start my day with Ethan when Reid says, “You know, why don’t we all take the day off? Ethan has been begging me to go to the zoo for ages. Apparently, the animals we have on the property are no longer good enough.”

I narrow my eyes at Reid. “Really?”

“Yeah, why not?”

I shrug. “I don’t have a problem with it. It’s just that Reid from two months ago would rather have opened a vein than let Ethan play hooky.”

He laughs. “Well, perhaps I’m softening in my old age.”

I laugh with him. “That is possible.”

“Or maybe it’s you.”

“What? You’re blaming me for this?”

“No, I’m giving you credit for it.” He kisses me on the forehead. “I’m going to go wake Ethan and let him know our plans for the day. You can get ready, I’ll prepare Ethan.”

He gets out of my bed with a huge smile on his face then walks out of the room.

Being who I am, my instinct is to proceed with caution, but I don’t want to do that. I want to feel happy. Reid and I just confessed our love to each other. That’s a good thing. It’s not something that should make me uneasy.

Whatever happens I want to enjoy this while it lasts. So I decide to put my worries aside for now and lean into the warm and fuzzies.

Two hours later, all three of us are at the San Diego Zoo and Ethan is losing his mind over the animals. It’s almost as if he’s on a sugar high the way he runs from one animal enclosure to the other.

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