Page 6 of Driven to Love

Addison thought about it for a second and then shook her head. “No, I wouldn’t sue even if I could. If I did, I’d look bad to my next employer.”

Marti’s brows furrowed. “It doesn’t make sense. You didn’t do the funky monkey. And the relationship ended months ago. Why now?”

“If I had to guess, I would say Amber.”

“The wife?” Laney’s words were barely a whisper.

Crap. The last thing Addison wanted was to bring up thoughts of Laney’s first marriage to a cheating scumbag.

Marti slipped an arm around their friend but stared at Addison. Her eyes held no malice, but there was definitely a warning. Addison understood. She was skirting close to a line that would cause her friend pain. She downed the last of her drink and stared into the now empty cup.

Marti picked up the pitcher and topped off all their beverages. “Well, good riddance, I say. I think something better is out there for you.”

Laney raised her drink, toasting. “In both jobs and men.”

“Hear, hear.” Addison took a sip of her cocktail and set the cup down. Time for a subject change. “So, have you and Cade set a date?”

Laney’s face brightened. “Yes. The second Saturday in August next year, so mark your calendars because you know I want you both to be my bridesmaids.”

“Awesome. Any hot groomsmen to hook up with?” Marti always kept her options open. But Addison’s stomach churned.

“Cade asked Nash and Sawyer to be his groomsmen.”

What were the odds Addison would walk up with Laney’s brother, Sawyer, and not Nash? Zero. Something about Cade’s friend rubbed her the wrong way.

“We should plan a dress-shopping trip to the Cities soon. It can take a while once I order a dress, and then there are fittings.”

Marti rubbed her hands together, and a devious smile spread across her lips. “Time to start planning your bridal shower and bachelorette party.”

“Knowing you, you’ll come up with a wild idea or two for the stag. I’ll tackle the shower end.”

Marti grinned. “Already working on it.”

“What colors do you like?” Addison would put money on pink. Laney and Addison had their weddings planned since the fifth grade. Although Laney was married once before, maybe the new, more confident, and adventurous Laney would pick a color that wasn’t pastel.

“I haven’t even thought about it.”

The door to the backyard opened. Cade stuck his head in. “Hey, babe. The grill’s ready for the meat.”

Laney handed him a tray of brats and burgers from the refrigerator, a shiny new stainless-steel model. Her old one met with a fatal accident.

“Thanks. Oh, Becca and her husband just arrived. She brought the baby.”

“Oh! I can’t wait to hold him.” Laney’s face turned all sappy. “Wait. Becca.” She grinned at Addison. “Becca decided to stay home with the kids. There’s a job opening for an office person at Busted Knuckle.”

Oh no. The thought of working with Nash every day… seeing his disgustingly handsome face day in and day out… hell, no. “Thanks for thinking about me, but I’m sure something will come up.”

“That’s a perfect position for you. And if you work in town, we can do lunch in the summers.” Laney picked up the salad to carry it out to the food table.

“Look at her face. You’d think you just offered her a position at the gates of hell.” Marti chuckled.

“Oh, come on. Would you seriously turn down a job just so you don’t have to work with Nash? What happened between you two, anyway?” Laney was too damn perceptive.

“Nothing.” He was a perfect gentleman. Too perfect. He was handsome, with a face and body that screamed “player.” Addison had been there, done that, and didn’t trust herself around him. She was done with charmers and pretty boys, and Nash Steele made the pretty boys look like dog food.

She tapped her fingernails on the side of her cup. Her friend had a point. Running the offices of a plumbing shop and an auto shop couldn’t be too dissimilar. And the sooner she got a job, she wouldn’t need to pull money from her savings.

Cade stuck his head in and winked. “Is the food ready? We have some hungry people out here.”