Page 56 of Beneficial Misfortune

Hell, I want to tuck tail and run, but I know that’s not really an option. If he’s going to fire me, I’ll have to leave. Hiding out in the room that was mine for a few short days won’t save me from that. This is his house, after all.

My body sags as I realize I’m once again right back where I started… under the power of a man.

“Don’t look so grim, Cherry,” Alex says, leading me further into the office to the two chairs that sit opposite Nathan.

He releases me, dropping into one and motioning for me to take the other.

Might as well get this over with, I guess.

Sitting in the chair beside him, I take a deep breath before letting it out slowly, hoping to chase away some of my nerves before I force myself to look up and meet Nathan’s eyes.

My deep breath was useless. The moment our eyes meet, I feel my palms begin to sweat, and I fight the urge to fidget.

“Kat,” Nathan says, greeting me with a nod. “I apologize for pulling you from your room so late, but I wanted to have a word with you in a more private setting.” He cuts his gaze to Alex, who smiles back at him, and I get the feeling I’m missing something, but I don’t dare ask. Even if he wasn’t about to fire me, it’s none of my business.

“I’m not sorry. Do you see her?” Alex asks, gesturing toward me, and I duck my head as my cheeks once again betray me.

This is so not the time, Alex. I mentally scold him but remain quiet.

Nathan shakes his head at his brother before returning his attention to me.

“It’s been brought to my attention that prior to you taking this position, you had met my brother and my son.”

His words hit me like a punch to the chest, knocking the air from my lungs. Of all the things he could have said, that’s not what I’d been expecting. It’s not a question, not really. I can hear the surety in his tone, though he seems to be waiting for some kind of reply, regardless.

There’s no point in lying; I’d planned to tell him. I just wasn’t sure how.

I guess I don’t need to worry about that part now, though.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. If I open my mouth right now, there’s no way I won’t beg him to let me keep my job. I love Addison, and I’d promised to be around for her. The thought of breaking that promise makes my chest feel heavy. But he’s her father, and he has to do what he thinks is best. If he thinks that means letting me go, then the least I can do is try to keep my dignity intact. If I have any left, that is.

“I see,” he says, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the desk in front of him and steepling his fingers. “This seems almost too convenient to be, yet I know for a fact you didn’t know who I was when we met. And despite my son and brother’s best efforts, they were unable to find you after that night.” He looks over at Alex, and I can’t help but look as well.

They looked for me?

“And believe me, they tried.”

Alex doesn’t look at me, but he doesn’t need to. From our brief encounters, I’ve learned he has no problem speaking his mind. If what Nathan said wasn’t true, he would have said something.

I’d spent months remembering that night, alone on the subway, at night alone in my bed. And as crazy as it sounds, it wasn’t just the amazing sex, though I did think about that too. That night with them was fun and exactly what I needed to help me start fresh. They helped me remember myself after so long being lost to being whatever Carter wanted.

“So, now the question is what we will do moving forward?”

Nathan’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn back to look at him, knowing this is it.

“I understand,” I say, biting my lip when my voice shakes. I have to look away, unable to meet his eyes as he fires me.

Alex barks a laugh, and I snap my head to look at him, unsure what can be funny about this.

My confusion must show on my face because he quickly explains. “Sorry, Cherry, but I really don’t think you do. And ifyou do, and that’s your reaction, I clearly need to refresh your memory.” He wiggles his brows at me suggestively, and now I’m even more confused.

“What?”

“What is it you think is happening here, Kat?” Nathan asks.

My brain short circuits, and I don’t know how to answer that. I wasn’t aware there was another option, but clearly there is.

“Um, I thought…” I trail off, turning from Nathan to Alex, looking for some kind of hint as to what I’m missing,' but come up empty. “Aren’t you going to fire me?”

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