Page 47 of Driven to Love

“Mom, this is Addison. Addison, this is my mom, Georgia Steele.” He placed his hand on the small of Addison’s back as he introduced her. She ignored the tingle of awareness that accompanied his touch.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Steele.” She took his mother’s offered hand.

“Oh, please. It’s Georgia.” She clapped her hands together. “You’re just in time for lunch.”

“Sorry, Mom, but I promised Addison pizza.”

“P’sh. Don’t be silly. Save your money. I have leftover chicken, and I can whip up some dumplings in no time. Now go help your father while I get to know your friend.”

Nash shot her an apologetic look right before he disappeared down the stairs.

“So, Addison. That’s a pretty name, by the way. How do you know my boy?” Georgia pulled plastic containers from the refrigerator as she talked.

“We work together. Well, actually, we met last winter. My best friend is engaged to his.”

“Laney? Oh yes, I’ve heard wonderful things about her. It’s about time Cade found himself a keeper.” She pulled out a bag of carrots.

“Can I help you with lunch?” Addison felt odd watching her work. Max had curled up in the corner.

“Thank you, but I’m good. You just keep Max from chewing on my rug. Yes, I’m talking about you.” She waved a finger at the puppy, but a smile cracked through her stern façade. “There are some dog toys in the basket beside the table. We always had dogs when Nash and his sister were growing up, but when we lost old Blue last year, I couldn’t bring myself to get another dog.”

Addison grabbed a squeaker toy from the basket. Max bounced with excitement.

“Do you have pets?”

“Yes. A cat. I love dogs, but growing up, my mom worked a lot.”

Georgia leaned a hip against the counter and listened.

“For my sixteenth birthday, she brought home a spunky black kitten. The first night, he tore up the living room curtains. The second day, he puked on her bed.” She smiled at the memory. “So we called him Lucifer.”

“Sounds like the name fits. Do you still have him?”

“Yes. Lu is in his teens, and he’s still a little devil.”

“Does he get along with Max?”

“They haven’t met. I doubt they will. Lu doesn’t like anyone. He barely tolerates me most days.” He likes Nash. She pondered that oddity.

“How long have you and my son been dating?”

The question pulled Addison out of her thought. “Sorry, no. We aren’t dating.”

“Huh.” She turned back to the stove.

“Really. Davey was the one who invited me to the game.”

“But you aren’t dating?” Confusion furrowed her brow.

“No. We aren’t.” Man, it was getting hot in here.

“Nash introduced you to his son. He brought you to Davey’s game. And here you sit, in my kitchen, but you say you’re not dating?”

When she put it that way, it did seem like they were in a relationship, and they hadn’t even had a date. She swallowed. “No?”

Georgia stopped stirring the broth. “Is that a question?”

“Yes. I mean, no, we’re not dating. We’re friends. Work friends, really. I had some car issues the other night, and he gave me a ride home. That’s when I met Davey, and he invited me to his game.” Addison was babbling. She never babbled… until now.