Page 74 of Beneficial Misfortune

I nod in return, murmuring a soft hello as I climb into the car. I hope he thinks my reaction is from Addy calling me Mom, and not him. I have more than enough crazy shit going on right now and more than enough men…I need to get it together.

“Did you have a specific mall in mind?” he asks as he slips back into the driver's seat and pulls away from the house.

Crap. It’s a good question. I guess I really hadn’t thought about that. In Maine, we only had one mall close enough to go to.

“Um, no. I’ve never been to any of them, so whatever one you think would be best would be great.” Vincent nods, and I let out a small sigh of relief that he seems to know where to go.

Addison talks to Vincent and me about everything and nothing the whole way there, making it less awkward, and the drive seems over in no time.

“Call me if you need anything. I’ll be out here when you're done.” He holds the door open as we get out. Addison’s jumping around, but I keep a good grip on her hand as I stop, not wanting her to slip away.

“That’s not necessary. I have no idea how long it’s going to take. I can just text you when we're done,” I insist, feeling bad about the idea of him just sitting out here doing nothing for God knows how long.

He pushes the door closed before turning to face me with a smirk that somehow makes him look even better than he usually does.

What is with these men and their smiles?

“It’s actually my job, so it’s not a big deal. Oh, that reminds me.” he reaches into his pocket and pulls something out, holding it out and offering it to me.

I don’t reach out to take it, unsure what it is.

“The boss said to give you this.”

He opens his hand, and in his palm lays a credit card, but not just any credit card…it’s a black card.

Instead of taking it, I take a step back, shaking my head. “Absolutely not.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “Yeah, I told him you would probably say that, but he insisted.”

His words catch me off guard, and for a moment, all I can do is look at him.

What does he mean he told him I would say that? How would he know?

“I don’t care if he insists. I’m not taking that.”

Without another word, I turn and head into the mall with Addison happily skipping beside me. Nathan already pays memore than enough. I don’t need more of his money. Especially not when he’s already paid me for my first three months to ensure I had everything I needed when I moved in.

We ended up spending a few hours at the mall. I get clothes that are less school teacher and more suitable for anywhere. Addison gets a few things, too, and we even get a pair of matching sundresses. We stop in a kids' play area for a few, and I let her burn off some of her energy before we grab a snack from the food court and head out.

Just like he said he’d be, Vincent is there waiting. He quickly exits the car before coming around to take the bags from me. I scowl at him, but if he notices, he ignores me, making his way to the trunk and dropping them in. Taking advantage of him being occupied, I move to the door and open it for Addison before I climb in and close it behind me.

When he slides in the driver's seat, he catches my eye in the rearview mirror and cocks a brow but doesn’t say anything. I can’t stop the smile that pulls at my lips, knowing I won this round.

We get back to the house, and Vincent, seemingly learning, lets us out first, ushering us toward the house, not letting me get near the trunk. Addison runs right to Ruby and starts telling him about her fun day with Mommy, and this time, it only makes me pause a moment.

“Hey, Cherry.” Alex’s arms come around my waist as he pulls me into his chest and drops his lips to my cheek, making me jump. I hadn’t realized he was home yet. “Just what I needed after a long day at the office,” he breathes the words against my neck, and I shiver.

“Uncle Alex!” I jump at the sound of Addison’s voice and try to move away, but Alex doesn’t let me go, instead pulling me closer.

I glare at him, but he seems unfazed as he simply moves me over a step and pulls her up into his arms. Addison launches intoa step-by-step playback of our day at the mall and everything we did. And while Alex only has his arm around my waist, it still feels very intimate, especially with Addison in his arms.

I’m not sure if she doesn’t notice because she’s so immersed in her own story or if it just doesn’t phase her, but she doesn’t seem to care. I wish I could say the same; instead, I can feel how warm my cheeks are.

“Oh, matching dresses?” Alex asks, raising a brow before turning to me, and I roll my eyes. Of all the things she said, that’s, of course, the one thing he focused on.

“Yes! Do you want to see?” Addison exclaims, all but jumping out of his arms and running over to the bags to rummage through them before he can answer.

“I want to know what else you got,” Alex whispers in my ear, and my eyes widen, knowing exactly what he means.

---