Page 103 of The Nanny and the Nerd
And how could he tell?
He’d never heard about any definitive test to measure one’s actual emotional threshold for the feeling. Then he recalled the other surprise he had in store for Penelope. He’d never set up anything like this before. He’d left tasks like this to Jerome. But not this time! No, he did this all on his own.
“It’s okay to care about Penny,” Jerome began, then cleared his throat. “And FYI, there’s nothing in her nanny contract that says she can’t…”
Rowen cocked his head to the side. “Can’t what?”
Warmth radiated in the man’s expression. “You don’t have to hide your feelings for her. That’s all I’m saying.”
“And what exactly makes you think I have feelings for her?” he asked, switching to boss mode.
Jerome’s complexion took on a rosy blush. “I was outside the door during yourpreposition predicament.”
Rowen nodded. After overhearing that cluster of an exchange, it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out what he and Penelope were up to. He softened his features. If he could talk to anyone about this, it was Jerome. “Is it that obvious? I’ve never been great at the emotions thing.”
“All I can say is that I’ve been with you for a while, and I’ve never seen you truly happy until now,” his assistant replied.
Well, that was something!
“I’m not always a tyrant to work for, am I?” he pressed.
“No…actually, sometimes?” the man pondered with a grin, but his expression quickly grew pensive. “With each success, you never enjoy it. You move on to the next project or whatever subsequent target you want to surpass. You’ve never taken a moment to enjoy what you have. I’m glad you and Phoebe have Penny. You both deserve to be happy.”
“Are we having a heart-to-heart, Jerome?” he mused.
Jerome chuckled as they continued down the hall before taking the steps up to the main deck. Rowen surveyed the scene. The sun shimmered off the ocean as the Caribbean air warmed his cheeks, and he took stock of his life.
He’d never expected to connect with anyone. Was he rich? Yes. Successful? Sure. Thanks to the damage done by his early years, wealth and status were his top priorities. The driving force in his life had been to prove his worth—prove to the parents who abandoned him that he was worthy. But worthy of what?
That had been the question. And now he knew the answer.
Phoebe, decked in goggles and giant flippers, called to him from her perch on the diving board. He waved back, then scanned the pool area and found Penelope. She patted the deck chair next to her, and he grinned, unable to stop himself as a peacefulness set in.
“Before we get back to the group, there’s one small matter I’d like to take up with you, Rowen,” Jerome said, lowering his voice. “A few emails came in from the development team, and—”
“Sir!” a crew member called as he headed toward him with an envelope in his hand. “The captain wanted me to let you know that the speedboat will be ready for you and Ms. Fennimore to take to the mainland. And once on the island, the arrangements have been confirmed.”
He nodded to the young man, accepting the envelope, as his heart did that corny beat skip thing. It was coming together.
“You and David don’t mind taking care of Phoebe this evening, do you? Penelope and I are expected on St. Barts,” he said, stealing another glance at the nanny.
“No, not at all! I didn’t know you had plans,” Jerome answered, confusion marring his features. “But I did want to mention that the emails expressed a concern regarding—”
“Jerome,” he cautioned, cutting off his assistant. He didn’t want to let go of this feeling. After tonight, everything could change. “The team at Gale Gaming can handle it,” he finished.
Jerome nodded, clearly taken aback. “I’ll relay the message.”
“And if you haven’t noticed, we’re on vacation,” he said, barely able to believe he’d uttered the words.
“Uncle Row, watch me jump!” Phoebe called.
“Let’s go at the same time,” he answered, catching Penelope’s gaze.
“All three of us!” Penelope chimed, coming to her feet.
His gaze danced between his niece and Penelope. And he felt it right in his heart.
Genuine, unrestrained happiness!
