Page 43 of Lost At Sea With A Billionaire

“You would never be a charity case,” he said firmly.“What happened between us on that island wasn’t because we were stranded with no other options.It was real.It is real.”

“But our lives are so different, Jonathan.”

“So?I don’t want to be with someone exactly like me.That would be boring as hell.”He took my hands in his.“I want you, stubborn, talented, passionate you.The woman who tells me when I’m being an ass and forces me to see beyond my perspective.”

I couldn’t help smiling.“I do that a lot, don’t I?”

“And I need it.”His expression grew serious.“I love you, Janet.Island or mainland, rich or broke, CEO or chef—none of that matters.What we found together, that connection, that’s what I care about.”

The earnestness in his voice made my doubts recede.“I love you, too.”

Jonathan’s hands framed my face, his eyes locked with mine.“Then let’s build something together - without rushing or following anyone else’s timeline.Just us, figuring it out day by day.”

“What exactly are you saying?”

“I’m saying I’m committed to you.To us.”His voice deepened with conviction.“I want to be part of your restaurant’s rebirth.I want you by my side when I launch the foundation for medical access.I want Sunday mornings cooking breakfast together and falling asleep to the sound of your breathing.”

My heart swelled.“You’ve given this some thought.”

“Every day since we washed up on that shore.”His thumb traced my lower lip.“I don’t know what the future holds exactly, but I know I want to face it with you.No pressure, no timetable—just the promise that I’m all in.”

I pressed my palm against his chest, feeling his strong heartbeat.“I’m all in, too.”The city lights twinkled below us, a constellation of beauty wrapping the night sky.

“We’ll figure it out,” I said, leaning into his embrace.“Day by day.”His lips brushed my temple.

“Starting tomorrow.”

“What’s tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow,” he said, a smile warming his voice, “I’m taking you to see a restaurant space I think you’ll love.”

I pulled back to look at him.“You’ve been scouting locations?”

“Just options.The final decision is all yours.”

“You really are serious about this.About us.”

“More than I’ve ever been about anything.”Jonathan pulled me close again, his certainty wrapping around me like a promise.

Chapter14

Janet

Six months later

Istood in the kitchen of “Salvaged,” my new restaurant in downtown Seattle.The grand opening was just hours away, and even in the chaos of final preparations, I paused to take it all in.

The space was everything I’d dreamed of—intimate but not cramped, with an open kitchen that allowed diners to watch the cooking process.Natural materials dominated the design: reclaimed wood, stone, and metal that echoed our island experience without being kitschy.

“The flowers just arrived,” Melanie said, bustling in with a clipboard.My sister had unexpectedly taken on the role of a restaurant manager.“And the mayor confirmed he’ll be here for the ribbon cutting.”

“Of course, he will,” I muttered.“Nothing attracts politicians like free food and photo ops.”

Melanie ignored my cynicism.“The press list is full, too.Everyone wants to see what the ‘Castaway Chef’ has created.”

I winced at the nickname the media had bestowed on me.The story of our island survival had captured the public’s imagination, propelling me to a level of fame I’d never anticipated or wanted.Jonathan helped me navigate the attention, teaching me how to maintain privacy while leveraging the interest to promote the restaurant.

“Where is Jonathan, anyway?”Melanie asked, checking items off her list.“I haven’t seen him all morning.”

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