Page 20 of Nanny for the SEALs

10

Katie

I’d been herefor a month, and with the extra money Stan was giving me, I’d made more in the span of one week than I’d had working two jobs during one month. I needed to go to the apartment and get my things. My car had been towed; sure enough, between being here and worrying about being thrown out, I’d forgotten about it. I didn’t even bother with clothes as Stan took out his card and bought me everything I needed online, but then I got a text from Ben. He said our things were being chucked out because we hadn’t paid the rent. It was more of a case that he hadn’t paid the rent. He hadn’t even seen me in a month, and the jerk should have at least asked if I was okay. Instead, all he said was:

Being kicked out. If you don’t want your things in the trash, then grab them before noon tomorrow.

“What happened? Did they find out?” Stan asked as he approached the elevator.

I didn’t know who was more worried about being exposed, him or me?

“Good! Let’s go for our morning walk. The twins ready?”

I nodded. “Yep, they’re strapped in and ready to go for their morning walk.”

He pressed the button, and I noticed for the first time since we’d been going every day for our morning walks that he had changed a bit. He’d lost a little weight and had shaved, and with a new haircut, he looked more like his brothers.

Maybe I was assessing him a little too much, because I didn’t notice that he’d stepped into the elevator, and I was still staring at him.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?”

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

“So, we going or what?”

“Shoot! Sure,” I said as I gasped, pushing the stroller into the elevator. One thing about Stan, he never pushes or even acknowledges that we are going out with the twins. If anything, it’s the opposite. He refers to the twins as ‘them’ if one starts crying, or if I had a problem with the stroller, he would glance their way, not trying to act like a concerned father. Unlike Rick, who was all over them like crazy whenever he was near them. He brought a smile to their faces when he entered the room. As for Pete, well, he seemed to be with them whenever Rick wasn’t around.

Rick wanted it to be that way when he was with the twins—that was their time together and I was to disappear, which was fine by me. I needed time for myself sometimes. Not that the twins were a handful, but at times, if one was settled, then the other would cry. I didn’t even want to think how their mom handled the triplets at the same time. She was a woman made of stone, that was for sure, and a beautiful one, too. I’d seen pictures of her in the penthouse. But when I asked Stan about her, he ignored my question, and my relationship with Rick was strictly professional. We talked about the babies and nothing more.

Except for that kiss. The one we had on his bed, before we were interrupted by the babies waking. I knew he wanted to go all the way, but it was as if as soon as I get all hot and bothered with the triplets, they go all cold again.

I should be happy.

Relieved.

I had a job, a home, and wonderful twins to look after, but I craved more.

“So, why did you look unhappy then?” Stan asked as the elevator chimed and we reached the bottom floor.

“My ex… the one who is going out with the stripper. He said we are being thrown out by noon tomorrow, and I need to get my things out.”

We walked out through the lobby, and Stan grabbed his phone. “Okay, Rick will be with the twins from twelve to six, so you have time to sort yourself out.”

“I thought I was cooking lunch again?” I quizzed, wondering if this game was going to stop at one point and I would find myself on the street.

“Nope. Forget that. Rick will sort himself out. I have to go and….well, I’m out. So is Pete.”

Stan never went out, but then he must have to get the haircut. I couldn’t help but look at him suspiciously again.

“I really wish you would stop looking at me like that. If you must know, I’m seeing a personal trainer, but you cannot tell my brothers.”

I choked, “Rick only asks me about the twins, and I’ve never been officially introduced to Pete.”

Only kissed him!

He stopped in his tracks. “Never formally been introduced to Pete? How is that possible? Yesterday he said that he loves the way you manage to keep the kids entertained and the place tidy at the same time. You were even talking to him yesterday about that new thing they did.”

“Oh my God, that was Pete? I thought it was Rick!”

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