Page 41 of The Billionaire's Virgin

“I know,” I admitted. “I saw her in the cafeteria just now when I was coming in.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” Jennifer demanded. “Go and apologize.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

I left Jenna with Jennifer and headed to the cafeteria, hoping that Taylor would still be there. She was at the same table I had spied earlier, and I made a beeline towards her. She seemed a little out of it, and she didn’t notice me until I was standing in front of her. Then she gave a little start of surprise and tried to get up.

“Sit down,” I said quickly, slipping into the chair in front of her. “Can we talk?”

Taylor eyed me wearily. “I don’t want to cause trouble,” she said. “I just… I couldn’t leave without knowing that Jenna was okay.”

“She woke up a little while ago,” I told her.

I saw relief fill Taylor’s eyes and I felt terrible for the accusations I had flung her way. “Did she say anything?”

“She asked for you,” I told her.

Taylor almost smiled… almost. “The doctor saw her?”

“Yes.” I nodded. “She’s going to be fine.”

This time Taylor really did smile, and I saw how much she cared for my daughter. My guilt increased, and I knew it was now or never.

“Taylor… Jennifer told me what really happened before Jenna was admitted,” I said. “I owe you an apology. I should never have spoken to you the way I did, and I should never have accused you of neglecting Jenna. It was because of you that she’s okay now. You saved her life.”

Taylor stared at me for a moment. “I… thank you for saying that,” she said shakily.

Then she got up abruptly, and I was forced to my feet too. I saw her grab her bag and balance it on her shoulder. “Taylor—”

“You should never have hired those two doctors,” she said, with new strength in her voice. She almost looked angry. “They were the ones who were incompetent. They didn’t bother to look out for Jenna simply because I had been the one to call on them. I realize that money can buy a lot of things, but sometimes it doesn’t always buy you the best things. I should have brought Jenna here immediately without bothering with those two bastards.”

The venom in her voice surprised me, but a part of me was impressed by it. I had never expected that from her, and it was nice to see she had some fight in her after all.

“You’re right,” I said. “And I will see to them as soon as Jenna is released from here.”

Taylor nodded. “I should go—”

I reached out and grabbed her hand before she could turn away from me. She froze in place and glanced down at my hand on hers.

“Taylor,” I said softly. “I really am sorry… I was just… so scared, and you weren’t answering my calls.”

I saw the fight leave Taylor’s eyes and her body seemed to relax all at once. “I was in the operating room with Jenna. She was scared to go in alone and I wanted to be with her while they put her under.”

“Oh—”

“But you’re right; I should have realized you’d want updates. I should have let you know what was happening before I went in with Jenna.”

I nodded. “And you should have told me her fever was getting worse,” I said gently.

Taylor sighed, and I saw tears pool in her eyes. “You’re right… I should have. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay; you’re forgiven,” I said. “And I hope you’ll forgive me.”

She looked up at me, and her blue-grey eyes called out to me. “Reed—”

But before she finished talking, I had leaned down and pressed my lips to hers. I didn’t think; I just acted on instinct, and a few seconds later reality screamed back, and I pulled away, shocked at my behavior. Taylor was looking at me with wide eyes, and I could tell she had no idea how to react.

“I… I’m… I’m really sorry,” I stammered. “I don’t know what came over me.”