Page 50 of Beneficial Misfortune

I snap my mouth shut, unsure of what to say. On the one hand, I’m sure he’s right. Addison would enjoy me being there, and I can’t imagine he would ask me if he wasn’t okay with it. He doesn’t seem the type to mince words or give mixed signals.

But on the other hand, can I handle being with all of them all day long? Yesterday was hard enough, and it was only Desmond. What if he acts like that in front of Nathan? Not to mention, I have no idea how Alex will act, and I still haven’t told Nathan about what happened between the three of us.

Just the thought makes my mouth dry. I’m still not sure how to bring that up to him.

Nathan turns to look at me, and I realize he’s waiting for me to answer.

“Sure, the zoo sounds nice.” The second the words are out of my mouth, I wish I could take them back.

A smile turns his lips up, and fuck me. I could melt into a puddle right here.

“Fantastic,” he pulls his sleeve up and glances at his watch. “We’ll probably leave in about two hours. It’s going to be around ninety degrees today, so make sure you dress accordingly.”

He turns to Oliver once again, all business. “Meet me in my office when you're done. I need to talk to you,” he tells him before striding out of the kitchen without another word.

I sit staring after him for a moment until I hear Oliver push the stool back. Without looking at me, he moves to the sink and deposits his coffee cup before disappearing after Nathan.

Not for the first time, I find myself wondering how I ended up here and if I just made a mistake.

With nothing else to do, I also drop my cup in the sink and head up to my room to get ready. Beats staring off into space like a weirdo and tempting fate. The last thing I need is for Alex or Desmond to wander in. I’m not sure I could handle either of them right now, let alone both of them.

In my room, I go through my clothes, trying to decide what to wear. Nathan’s warning about how hot it will be echoes in my mind, and I decide a dress will probably be best as most of my pants are thick dress pants, and my shorts are sleepwear.

I really need to expand my wardrobe.

It takes longer than it should, but in the end, I decide on a dusty pink sundress. I ordered it last month but have never worn it. The neckline is a little low, and it was just a bit shorter than I thought appropriate for teaching. I’d meant to send it back but never got around to it, but for daily life, it was probably the most suitable thing I had for the heat. It’s loose and flows around my thighs at varied lengths, but the waist is fitted with cute, puffy, short sleeves, and when I put it on, I can’t help but do a little twirl.

It’s definitely not appropriate for school, but it fits great and makes me feel pretty.

Before I can second-guess it, I slip on sandals, opting for a pair with ankle straps to ensure I won’t be walking out of them all day. Then I head out to check on Addison. I might not be required to work, but I don’t mind helping her get ready. It gives me something to do and makes me feel useful.

It also keeps my mind from wandering back to the men in this house. I do that enough while I sleep, and I highly doubt a day at the zoo watching them with Addison is going to make that better.

Chapter 17

Iknew what Nate wanted to discuss even before I met him in his office. It had nothing to do with the three days I had just spent away on business—not that I expected it to. He trusted me to handle our tech department for the most part. After all, it had been my idea to expand to include it.

I knew it had to do with Kat just by the way he looked at her, though she seemed to be oblivious. Not that I could blame her. Understanding Nate is a skill I’ve had years to hone, and even I get it wrong sometimes.

What I didn’t expect was for Kat, Addison’s new nanny, to be the same girl who gave Alex and Des the slip last December. I’d meant what I said in the kitchen. I thought she was different. The way she is with Addison isn’t like someone who was just trying to get close to her to get close to us. She seems as though she genuinely cares for her. Something Nate must have seen as well, considering he offered her the position of Addison’s nanny.

Apparently, all three of them were on the same page, which is a first in a long time. For the last few years, the most they havebeen able to agree on is a woman to share for a night or two, but nobody they wanted more from.

Who was I to say otherwise? I don’t dislike Kat based on what I know about her. She’s good with Addison, beautiful and forgiving, if our time in the kitchen is anything to go by. She also doesn’t seem to have an issue with standing up for herself. Which is also good, considering she’s living in the house. She’ll need her wits about her.

No, I haven’t had any problems with her so far, but I also don’t want her like they do. I don’t want anyone, not after last time. I’d rather focus on the company and spend time with my family, but I won’t deny them the chance.

With my agreement, Nate and I head out to get ready for our trip to the zoo.

I have a feeling things are about to get a lot more interesting around here, and the zoo is going to be a great test.

I wonder if Kat has any idea what she just signed up for.

If Addison hadn’t been so adamant about going to the zoo for the last few weeks, I would probably have asked if we could postpone it.

Today is the hottest day so far this year, and spending it outside, surrounded by animals, is not the first thing on my list of things to do for a good time. Unfortunately for me, one of the top things on that list is seeing Addison happy. So, although I’m dreading the heat, I get ready and meet the others outside with a smile when she flings herself at me.

Okay, maybe the heat isn’t so bad.

---