Fringe Benefits Read Online Free PDF

had decided to teach at least one more year.
    Bethany looked up from her cell phone. “Looks like Emma’s down for her nap.”
    “Did Stefan text you or something?” Mallory asked.
    “Or something,” Beth replied with a chuckle. She held her phone so they could see the screen. The image was of the large nursery at the Wilson home, and Emma and the Wilson twins were sleeping peacefully on their small daybeds.
    “Ain’t technology grand?” Beth quipped. “I can see my baby all day long. Did I tell you she’s calling Robert ‘Daddy’ now instead of Bobber?” Her eyes filled with tears.
    “Don’t you dare cry,” Mallory scolded. “That’s
happy
news.”
    As the Ladies chattered on, the door to the workroom opened and Nate Ryan walked in.
    The conversation immediately stopped, and Dani’s three friends stared at him. No wonder. He was wearing a baby blue polo that showed well-toned arms. His navy pants left no doubt that the rest of his body was every bit as fit. Damn, but she could stare at his butt forever and never get tired of the view.
    The normally confident Nate suddenly faltered, walking ever so slowly toward the copier and resembling a gazelle that had spotted a pack of hungry lions. “I… um… need to make some copies?”
    Dani almost laughed at his nervousness. “Are you asking us or telling us?”
    “Um… asking? I don’t want to interrupt.”
    “Copy away!” Jules said. “Copies wait for no one. You’re a newbie?”
    He nodded.
    “Then are you looking to buy or rent a home?” A business card with a large shamrock logo seemed to instantly appear in her hand. “I can help. I have a lot of great properties I could show you. There’s a special HUD program for teachers who buy repos.”
    Nate got the copier in motion before taking the card from Jules. “Actually, I
am
trying to find a place of my own. I’m in a long-stay hotel for the month, but I’ll need a more permanent place. This job sort of came out of the blue. I didn’t have time to find anything else.”
    “The Stay-Put Inn?” Jules asked.
    “That’s the one.”
    “We’ll get you out of that pit.”
    “It really isn’t… good,” he admitted. “I’d be grateful to have somewhere else to call home.”
    Hoping to put him at ease, Dani gave the introductions. “Everyone, this is Nate Ryan. He’s my new sophomore English teacher. Nate, these are my friends.” She nodded at Jules. “Juliana Wilson. She used to be a special-ed teacher here. Now, obviously, she handles real estate.” She smiled at Beth and Mallory. “And Bethany Ashford and Mallory Carpenter, who you’ll see around school. They teach here, too.”
    His eyes shone with understanding. “Ah, I see. You’re the Ladies Who Lunch. Mary told me all about you.”
    “Mary Henry?” Mallory asked.
    “That’s the one,” he replied.
    “Biggest gossip in the school,” she said with a dismissive wave. “Despite what you’ve probably heard, we’re quite harmless.”
    “Where are you from, Nate?” Beth asked with one of her almost nonstop smiles.
    Dani was pleased to see him relax, if only a smidge.
    “Indiana,” he replied. “Went to Indiana University.”
    “Is this your first job?” Mallory asked.
    “Yeah. Student teaching was great, but I’m still trying to get my sea legs.”
    “It gets easier,” Mallory promised.
    “So Dani keeps telling me.” He gave Dani a lopsided and entirely too handsome grin. The dimple was almost more than she could take.
    At least his responses weren’t clipped, and hopefully he saw the Ladies’ questions as polite rather than an interrogation.
    The copies ceased. Nate grabbed the stack of papers. With a saucy salute, he said, “A pleasure to meet the infamous Ladies Who Lunch.” A glance to the clock. “Oh, and two minutes ’til the bell.” He shut the door softly behind him.
    “Wow.” Jules shifted her stare from the door to Dani. “Seriously.
Wow
. He’s a cutie.”
    “Absolutely delectable,”