Page 32 of Beneficial Misfortune

Oh my god.

No way!

Was I wrong?

Was this whole thing one big misunderstanding?

I look from Addison to Alex, and the more I look, the more I think I might have.

That little girl I saw all those months ago was Addison. Seeing them now, I’m almost certain of it. Her hair is lighter, but she has the same blue eyes as Nathan. I’d only assumed when I heard her calling for her dad she was talking to him, but had she actually?

Shit.

“Katherine,” Desmond says, pushing to stand before his eyes flick down to Ruby, who stands beside me. I hadn’t even realizedI’d been petting him in my shock, almost as if taking comfort in his presence, and I snatch my hand away.

“Well, it would seem introductions aren’t required.” I snap my gaze to Nathan’s, hearing the amusement in his tone. I’d been careful not to look at him, worried about what I might find, but he doesn’t seem upset at all. Honestly, why would he be? I highly doubt he thinks I slept with both of them during a one-night stand that still plagues my dreams.

No, he probably assumes we’ve met somewhere before. And my god, he has no idea.

If my cheeks get any more red, they might just catch fire.

“Come on, Kat, come sit with me!” Addison says, still oblivious to the tension and my situation. Which is a good thing. The last thing I want is for her to start asking questions.

Jumping down from Alex’s lap, she runs back over to me, grabbing my hand and towing me with her to the large table.

Right next to Desmond.

Of course, because why wouldn’t it be?

I keep my gaze focused on the table, unsure where to look or what to do. I can feel eyes on me, but I’m not sure who’s, and I don’t dare look.

Addison happily fills the silence, telling Desmond and Alex all about her last day, our pinky promise, our trip to get ice cream, and how I’m going to be her new nanny. She’s so happy, and they listen, chiming in here and there, sounding genuinely invested in what she’s telling them.

Slowly, my heart rate starts to return to normal, and I take a deep breath.

“Pasta?” Desmond’s deep voice makes me gasp at how close it is, and I look up to find him leaning into my space, his eyes sparkling with something I can’t put my finger on.

“Um… Ugh, yes, thank you,” I manage to stammer out.

If I thought he was close before, he gets impossibly closer when he leans over to drop a helping of said pasta onto my plate without taking his eyes off of me.

And just like that, my heart is beating like a damn drum again.

He moves away again, and to anyone else, it would look like he was simply being nice, getting me food. But something about the smirk on his face tells me he knew exactly the effect he was having on me.

The rest of dinner is mostly uneventful. They all talk, Nathan and Alex, about the trip he just took and some light business stuff that I don’t pay much mind to. Desmond and Addison catch up, and I learn that he’s been gone a little over a week for business as well. It’s clear Addison missed them, and honestly, it’s adorable. They make plans to have a day with her to make up for their absence.

The food is delicious, even if I only manage to eat a small portion. My stomach is so tied in knots right now that I’m amazed I manage what I do.

“Do you not like it?” Alex asks as I swirl my fork in my noodles absent-mindedly.

“Oh, no. It’s great. I’m just tired,” I say lamely, setting my fork down to stop my fidgeting, attempting to force a smile.

He smiles back, and jeez, what is with the Lawson genetics? How are they all so ridiculously handsome?

“Yes, Kat has had a long day. The movers will be here bright and early tomorrow to drop off your things, and I’ve had a few basic things delivered to your room for the night as well.” Nathan asks, and I nod, not trusting my voice.

“Unfortunately, Alex and I are required at a meeting tomorrow as he’s just returned, or we would be here to help.”

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