Page 61 of The Billionaire's Teacher

I wanted to make her promise, but instead I just nodded. “God’s got this. I know.”

Her smile broadened and she nodded.

I pushed off the wall and started in the direction of the bigger main terminal, following signs until I got to the transportation options.

Zee had offered to come pick me up, but she was needed there. My charter wasn’t the only one that had been affected by the storm. Wes and I had gotten the worst of it, for sure, but several other boats had been forced to stay in port while waiting to see what was going to happen. Not surprisingly, customers were unhappy with having their plans curtailed.

Like we could control the weather.

I stepped out into the bright sunshine and made my way to the first taxi in the line that was parked and waiting. “Fairytale Charters, please.”

The driver nodded. “Sure, I know it.”

Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t. He had a phone mounted on his dash and was using the GPS so we’d get there either way. I settled into the back seat and closed my eyes. It was the easiest way I could think to avoid conversation.

Before I was mentally ready to face Zee and all her knowing questions, the cab slowed to a stop.

“Fairytale Charters.”

I opened my eyes, checked the readout on the meter, and dug out my wallet. I had cash to cover the fare plus a tip. It cleaned me out, but I could get more. “Thanks.”

I grabbed my duffels, exited the cab, and strode up the sidewalk to the main entrance.

Zee manned the phones behind the counter inside. “Yes. Of course. Yes. Bye now.”

She ripped off her headset and hurried from behind the counter, arms outstretched. “There you are.”

I dropped my bags and let Zee engulf me in her tight hug. It was a little like being swallowed up by the Michelin Man, but it was more comforting than anything I could imagine.

A sob hitched in my throat. Then another. And then the dam broke.

“Shh, child.” Zee rubbed circles on my back as I sobbed into her shoulder.

The storm raged longer than it should have. Long enough that as my tears dried and I hiccuped back the sobs, mortification set in.

“I’m sorry.”

“No. You don’t say that. Not to me.” Zee leaned back and held my gaze. “After what you’ve been through, who wouldn’t be upset?”

Upset was an understatement, and I loved her for it. I sighed. “Thanks, Zee.

“Always.” She jerked her head toward the back office. “Let’s get you some of that fancy water you love and you can tell me all about it.”

“I’ll take the water, but…can the rest wait?”

Zee tipped her head to the side and studied me. Finally, she nodded once. “All right. If that’s what you want.”

“It is.” I didn’t want to think about Wes right now. Or talk about him. Especially not to Zee, who was going to see more than I wanted her to. She already had her ideas about the two of us, since she was always on the lookout for someone for me. As if I needed a new husband to be whole.

Before Wes, I had brushed off the thought as ridiculous. Now? I could see where she was coming from.

Which was why it was impossible. Because it couldn’t be just any man. It had to be Wes. And the reasons why that wouldn’t work didn’t change simply because I wished they would.

I followed Zee into the break room and sat in the chair that she pointed at. She opened the fridge and selected a bottle of Perrier.

“You brought that in just for me.”

“Of course I did. Once I knew you were on your way back. Consider it my welcome home.” Zee set the bottle on the table in front of me and took the seat across the way. “You don’t want to talk about it.”

---