“What?” Her brow pinches. “Is this because I don’t have access to a computer and can’t physically write you a hard copy? Because I will do that as soon as we get back home and I can go to the library.”
“No.” I hold up my hand. “You’re not quitting. You’re the best thing that’s happened to Amelia. The kid is excelling in so many ways.” I don’t want to think about what it’ll be like with Clare gone and her replacement trying to engage with Amelia.
I’m not sure my daughter can go through another transition.
I certainly don’t want another nanny living under my roof, caring for my daughter.
I want Clare.
TWELVE
Clare
Levi is infuriating!
How can he not accept my resignation? It isn’t negotiable. I’m not trying to stay employed and convince him to pay me more money, although frankly, the billionaire is a cheap bastard. He hasn’t paid me a cent above room and board.
I ought to go on a shopping spree with thePassport Currencycard that he gave me. Spend all of it on luxury goods that he’ll have to fly home and carry for me.
Pfft. Some fantasy. There’s no way he’s going to offer to carry my bag onto the plane after this week.
The man hates me, and I didn’t even do anything wrong. It’s like he’s going through PMS—pissy male syndrome.
Although I admit that I don’t like the redhead, and seeing her touching him outside of the hotel definitely rocked the boat.
We barely spend two minutes together the rest of the trip, and we head back sooner than anticipated, probably because Levi has been crashing on the couch.
He’s even more grumpy and impossible to be around. At least Amelia has her headphones and movie to keep her entertained on the flight.
My eReader dies. I’m guessing the cheap converter plug did something to fry the device, so I’m stuck staring out the window, avoiding any discussions with Levi.
Since we don’t fly from a major airport, I can’t even grab a paperback book at the airport lounge. Bummer.
Levi paces the length of the plane. He’s restless and agitated. Is that my doing?
I glance at him, open my mouth, but think better of it.
I’ve had one good flight with him and another flight from hell. I don’t want a repeat performance of our first encounter. I shut my eyes, pretending to sleep and get a few minutes of rest.
Levi stops pacing, standing in the aisle right by my seat. I can feel his presence. Is he staring at me or brooding over something else?
It’s me. It has to be, because getting along seems an impossible feat.
“Are you sleeping?” he asks, but he knows the answer.
My eyes flash open, and I turn to face him. “Apparently not.”
“Are you really going to make me hire a new nanny for Amelia?”
Are we still on that argument? I sigh and run a hand through my hair. I unbuckle my seatbelt and stand, wanting to be eye-level with him, well, closer to his level. He’s still quite a bit taller than I am.
“You don’t want me around, Levi. You can barely look at me.”
His tongue darts out and presses against the corner of his lips. “That’s not true.” He stares at me, trying to prove his point, but I can sense the inward struggle. I feel it too. It’s too heavy, too intense. Too much to bear.
“We shouldn’t have slept together,” I say. That’s what’s bothering him, isn’t it? Regret. It’s the only emotion that I can make sense of with the way he’s behaving.
“You’re right.” He’s terse. Have I annoyed him, yet again? “Well, we don’t have to worry, since it won’t happen again.”