Page 95 of The Billionaire's Teacher

“You found it.” Jenna looked up from where she sat at a small table against the wall.

“I did.” I tilted my head to the side. “I missed these stairs though.”

Jenna chuckled. “They’re at the far end of the hall—you have to turn the corner to the shorter leg of the building.”

I closed my eyes and tried to envision what she meant, then nodded once. “Okay. I’ll keep that in mind. Although I love the main stairs. They’re like something out of a movie.”

“Right?” Jenna started to stand. “It’s why I want to have our wedding here. Noah’s not convinced.”

“Sit.” I waved Jenna back into her seat. “I can get my own coffee.”

“There’s chopped-up fruit in the fridge, if you want something to eat. I also have oatmeal packets. And probably a granola bar or two.”

“Perfect.” I crossed to the coffee pot on the counter and reached up to open the cupboard door just above.

“One more to the right.”

I shifted my hand and opened the door Jenna indicated. I smiled at the mugs. No fancy mugs here. They all had cartoons or funny sayings. I snagged one with a narwhal on it and filled it.

“Do you have milk or cream or something?”

“Fridge. And sugar—just the real stuff, sorry—in the bowl there. Or one of the creamers is hazelnut and already sweetened.” Jenna sipped her coffee. “That mug is one of my favorites.”

“I’ve always liked narwhals. Any ocean creature, really. But the chances of diving with narwhals is slim, so I just have to admire them from afar.” I opened the fridge and got out the flavored creamer. I added a generous splash to my coffee and returned it to the fridge door. I studied the shelves, finally spying the fruit. I took that container and shut the door.

“Bowls are in the cabinet you went for initially.” Jenna frowned. “Would you mind bringing one for me? Now that I see the fruit, I’m hungry.”

I chuckled and reached for two bowls. I balanced the fruit on top of them and picked up my coffee with my other hand and carried the whole pile to the table. After setting everything down, I turned back to the cabinets. “Where would silverware be?”

“Oh. Helpful, yes. Drawer to the left of the sink.”

I crossed the kitchen and pulled open the drawer. “Fork or spoon?”

“Fork.” Jenna didn’t say “duh” but her tone did.

I grinned. “Just making sure.”

I brought two forks back over to the table and sat, then slid one over to Jenna. “Thanks for putting me up.”

“No problem. I’m glad I was able to convince the others that this made the most sense. They have guest rooms, sure, but I have the most space.” Jenna stabbed some melon and scooped it into her bowl.

I sipped my coffee while I waited for her to get her fruit, then filled my own bowl. We chatted about inconsequential things while we ate, then Jenna excused herself to go finish getting ready. I sat in the kitchen, lingering over a second cup of coffee. I liked this house. I could see why Noah had wanted it. And the renovation or remodeling or whatever he’d had done was fabulous. I could still tell it was old—without needing to read the historic marker on a pole outside by the sidewalk—but it also felt modern and comfortable. A hard balance to achieve.

I took a few minutes to let Zee know I was doing well. That things with Wes were going great and that she shouldn’t worry. Then I carried all the dishes over to the sink. There was a dishwasher on the right. I opened it and looked at the dishes inside. Jenna must be a rinser, because I couldn’t decide if they were clean or dirty.

I closed the dishwasher and settled for rinsing everything in the sink and stacking it neatly. If there had been a drying rack, I would have gone ahead and just washed them, but I didn’t see one handy.

Which was fine. I just wanted to be a good guest. I needed Wes’s friends to like me. I got the sense that this group wouldn’t put up with a significant-other that the rest of them didn’t like. It was a good thing. Just a little stressful for the person auditioning to join the group.

“Ready to go?” Jenna strode back into the kitchen. She had to duck a little to get through the doorway since she’d added heels to her outfit.

“I am. But you look fancy. Am I too casual?”

“Not at all. You look great.” Jenna brushed at her dressy slacks. “I was trying to match your energy, not show you up. Realistically, everyone else is going to be in shorts. Maybe jeans.”

“Okay.” I picked my phone up off the table. “I appreciate you going the extra mile so I’m not the only fancy one.”

Jenna laughed. “Come on.”

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