“I never told anyone all that before,” she whispers. “Not really. Maybe because I didn’t want pity or because I was too scared to admit it even to myself.”
I shake my head slowly, brushing a stray hair from her face. “You don’t need to hide it from me, Bumper. Whatever you’ve been through, you carry it with such grace. But you don’t have to carry it alone anymore.”
Her eyes flutter closed, and she lets out a small, tired laugh. “You make it sound so easy.”
“Maybe it’s not,” I admit. “But I promise I’ll be here. Every step of the way.”
And as we keep walking, the night stretching endlessly ahead, I know this isn’t just a moment. It’s a beginning. A new chapter for both of us.
Together.
More than the Nanny
MILLIE
Gabriel breaks the silence.“Okay, Bumper. Are you hungry yet? I want to take you somewhere.”
I look up at him, my heart skipping a beat. That grin of his- it’s so effortless, and yet it always sends a flutter through me. It’s a smile that feels like a secret only I get to know. The kind that promises something unexpected and good. He’s been planning something, I can tell, and I’m curious and excited. After the events of tonight, I would follow him anywhere.
We walk for a while before stopping.
“Where are we?” I ask, my eyes wide as I take in the restaurant in front of us. It’s nothing like I’d expected, but somehow, everything about it is perfect.
The building glows softly under the moonlight, with ivy climbing the stone walls, the scent of fresh herbs and roasting garlic drifting faintly through the air. It feels like stepping into a dream I didn’t know I wanted to have.
“This place is gorgeous. Everything here is straight out of a movie.”
His laugh makes me feel like I’m a part of something inside- something I want to understand more.
“Welcome to Ristorante La Rosa Blu,” he says, spreading his arms out as if presenting something magical.
I don’t know it, but judging by the way he speaks, it means something to him. There’s a quiet pride in his voice, the kind that speaks of childhood memories, family dinners, and moments shared that he’s never told me about—until now.
“It’s one of my family’s places, but it’s definitely the most romantic.”
I let the words settle, my eyes drifting over the elegant lighting and the warm golden glow spilling from within. The butterflies in my stomach flutter more fiercely now. I’ve been here a few days, but something about this moment feels different—like this place holds somethingextraordinary.
The soft clinking of glasses and the murmur of voices through the windows make the restaurant seem alive and warm, like the beating heart of a hidden world.
“Shall we sit?” His voice breaks through my thoughts, and I feel the warmth of his hand gently resting on the small of my back, guiding me toward the door.
When I step inside, the first thing I do is take a deep breath, trying to absorb it all. The soft music in the background, the flickering candlelight, the quiet hum of conversations. It feels like we’re in a bubble, away from everything else.
The waiter greets us with a polite nod, leading us to a booth tucked away in a far corner, where the shadows play softly against the rich mahogany walls.
We sit down at a booth tucked away in the far corner, and I can feel the tension in my shoulders ease.
There’s something about being here in this little corner that makes everything else seem insignificant. I watch the candlelight dance across his face as he leans in slightly, and my heart does a little flip.
“You know, Bumper,” he starts, his voice dropping low, just for me. “You look amazing today. And seeing you now, this close… I could get lost in you forever.”
The words hit me harder than I expected, and I feel the heat rise to my cheeks. We have been dancing around each other and flirting for months. I know he’s being genuine, but something in the way he says things makes me feel like I’m the only person in the room.
His eyes are steady, unwavering, and there’s a vulnerability there that makes me want to reach out and hold on to it, keep it safe.
I can’t help but laugh softly, my fingers brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. It’s all I can do to hold myself together, but I smile up at him.
“Why thank you, Gabby,” I tease, though my voice carries a warmth that matches his. “You look very handsome yourself.”
