Page 26 of Beneficial Misfortune

We walk in silence through the park after her, but it’s not uncomfortable. Kids laugh and run around. The park isn’t huge, so it’s easy to spot Addison as she climbs up the playground with other kids, her ice cream still clutched tight in one hand.

Nathaniel walks to a bench, and I take the seat beside him. Finally, I pull off my macaron as I reach the center. The flavor explodes in my mouth, and I can’t stop the hum of appreciation that leaves my lips.

“That’s the best macaron the shop has,” Nathaniel says to me, his eyes still on Addison. I feel my cheeks heat, realizing he heard me.

“It’s delicious.” I make myself respond.

“Have you thought any more about my offer?”

“Oh, um,” I mumble, having just shoved the rest of the macaron in my mouth. Chewing, I take a moment to think about my answer.

I have thought about it, a lot actually.

Before I can answer, he continues. “After school, Vincent would pick you both up and take you to the house until either me or my brother are home. My son and nephew might also be able to relieve you occasionally, though not always. Or, as I offered before, you could save money on housing and be her live-in nanny. We have housing for many of our staff, the groundsmen, the chef, and security to keep those we need close by. Besides, the cost of living in New York is nothing to sneeze at.”

I almost choke on the damn cookie. Covering my mouth, I cough and save myself, but just barely.

A smile pulls the corner of his lips up as he turns to me with a brow raised.

“Just because I have money doesn’t mean I don’t understand the value of a dollar. The school pays well enough, but the cost of living is always on the rise, and I don’t expect it will go down anytime soon. Especially not here.”

I remain quiet, mostly because I’m pretty sure if I open my mouth right now, nothing will come out anyway. Or at least nothing that will be considered intelligent conversation.

He just offered me a place to live, again… I mean, as a nanny for his daughter, but still. He’s not wrong, though. The cost of my apartment is outrageous, even though I'm making more than I’ve ever made before. I struggle and have to save for the summer to ensure I won’t end up homeless. It’s part of thereason I signed up for the summer program to begin with. But if I took the nanny position, I could easily cover it.

“I have more than enough space. You would have your own room and bathroom, and that would save you time. When you're off, your time would be your own. You wouldn’t have to waste it traveling, and everything we have would be accessible to you at all times. The pool, library, and meals would be included.”

“Stop.” It comes out more forcefully than I intended, and I wince at hearing how harsh it sounded.

“Sorry,” I say, feeling like an asshole when his lips turn down in a frown. “It’s just a lot, and I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.”

He nods, and I take that as him accepting my apology and continue.

“I’m flattered, really, but I’m also confused. Why do all this? You didn’t need to offer so much. I love Addison, and I really don’t need all the extras. I’ve been thinking about it and was already pretty sure I was going to accept.”

“Daddy!” Addison’s voice carries across the playground to us, pulling our attention to where she sits on a swing. “Push me?” she yells out.

Shaking his head, he stands to walk over to her, and I follow.

Addison’s laughter and cries to go higher ring through the park, and I can’t help but smile as I watch them.

“That right there is why,” Nathaniel says, nodding toward me.

What?

“You asked why I was doing all this, why offer so much for you to nanny, and that’s why.”

“What’s why?” I ask, still confused.

“Addison’s had a lot of nannies over the years, but they’re always missing something. No matter what I did, paid, or the lengths I went through to vet them, it never seemed to make a difference. They didn’t care, but you do.”

He doesn’t say anything else, and after pushing Addison for a few minutes longer, we leave. My mind wanders, going over everything as we head toward my apartment, but I know what my answer will be even before we get there because he’s right—I do care.

Vincent pulls up, and Nathaniel opens the door, stepping out. I hesitate for a moment before following him, gathering my courage.

Why does this feel like such a big deal? Yes, I’m taking on a second job, but it’s not as if it’s difficult, and the pay and other accommodations are kind of mind-blowing.

Stepping out of the car, I come face-to-face with Nathaniel, and I’m reminded exactly why it’s hard. I’m going to work for him and live in his house, essentially helping him raise his daughter.

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