Those Three Words: A Single Dad, Billionaire Boss Romance(74)

“Just look at apartments. Keep focused.”

After my conversation with Hank and my outburst at Graham’s office event, I replied to Grace’s email and told her I’m fully onboard. Jeff called me a day later and we discussed the position at La Crème, the salary, job expectations, and start date.

During the summer, La Crème offers limited programs but this position won’t be starting officially until the second week of August. Since I’m giving Graham two weeks here, that will take me into the middle of July. With the amount of money I’ve saved working here, I’ll be fine without a paycheck for a month, but still, trying to find an affordable apartment in Chicago near the academy won’t be easy.

I scroll through the listings, flagging a few to check on their availability. I sigh. The reality that I’ll be leaving Eleanor soon is hitting me hard.

I still feel so torn. I love her so much and I know I’ll see her at La Crème, but it’s not the same. She cried when I told her I’d be leaving but cheered up a little when I told her about my new job. I don’t think she fully understands though.

My phone rings, interrupting my thoughts. I see it’s Shelly.

“Hey, girl, how was Mexico?” I haven’t spoken to her since her whirlwind vacation with Hank.

“Oh. My. Gaaaawd. It was fantastic. We lay on the most beautiful beaches. We swam in the Cenotes; we drank margaritas—it was beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.”

“Awww, yay! I’m so happy for you guys. Did you come back with a ring?”

“What?” She laughs. “No, I’m not that impulsive. We have talked about it a little though.”

“See, I knew it was brewing.”

She fills me in on some of the funny things that happened on her trip, and it makes my heart feel full to know that she’s so happy.

“So what about you? What’s going on?”

I let out a long, labored sigh.

“Uh-oh,” she says, picking up on it.

“Yeah. So, I put in my two weeks’ notice.”

She gasps. “Wait, hold up. Let me grab my water. Okay, I’m ready.”

I explain everything to her. The Warren Dorsey drama. The Fiona Perry drama. How I’m conflicted on my feelings for him and if I should forgive him and give him a second chance or just move on.

“Wow.” She puffs out a breath of air. “That’s a lot. That’s a whole lot.”

“Yeah,” I echo her sentiments.

“Are you in love with him?”

I roll my head around, hesitating.

“That sounds like a yes to me.”

“I am. I think that I feel guilty for wanting this other job when I took this nanny job and committed to it. I feel like I’m flaking on both of them. It’s just all screwing with my head right now.”

“I can see that dilemma. I think you need to first, be honest with yourself about your feelings in all of this; they’re valid. Second, you need to ask yourself what you really want. You can take this teaching job that is one hell of an opportunity that you’ve worked hard for and earned and feel guilty about it and let it ruin your ability to lead and nurture these kids or you can realize that life changes. Graham clearly isn’t angry at you for taking this job, right?”

“I don’t know for sure. I do want to talk to him about it and clear the air. He apologized to me but I never apologized for how I reacted to things and I never explained to him that this is my dream job.”

I flop back on my bed after wearing a path in the area rug around it. I let out a frustrated huff.

“All that to say, I do need a place to live in less than ten days and I don’t know how I’m going to make that happen. I’ve found a few places I can afford, but you know how availability can be in the city. They’ll waitlist you or you never even hear back after your application.”

“Why don’t you move in with me?”

I laugh. “Babe, your studio is barely enough room for you.”

“No, seriously, I’m never there. I stay at Hank’s almost every single night now. Trust me, you won’t be in the way, and it doesn’t have to be long term. Just until you find the right place.”

“It is super generous of you.” I rub my temple. “And I really don’t want to be stuck taking the first place I can find. I’ll pay your rent while I’m staying there; I’m not freeloading.”

“I don’t require that, but I appreciate it, Margot. And I mean it. Take the time to think about things. Just because things with Graham are rough and he screwed up doesn’t mean that what you have isn’t real and worth fighting for.”

“Look at you.” I laugh. “Miss true love expert now. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“It’s your fault, you know, for introducing me to this perfect guy.”

We both giggle and I hang up.

I feel better about knowing I have a place to live, but I still need to find my own place long term. Part of me is holding back because I want things with Graham to work out so badly. I want to stay here and live with him and Eleanor.

Not as the nanny, but as his partner. His lover. His everything.





Eight days… You’ve got this.

I feel like I’m constantly on the verge of losing it.