Page 7 of Driven to Love

“Yes. And Cade, is the office position still open at work?”

Addison glared at her friend, but Laney focused on her fiancé.

“Yes, ma’am. Do you have someone in mind?”

“Addison.” Laney beamed at her.

Well, shit. Addison bit her lip and gave him a little finger wave. No backing out now.

His face brightened. “Really?”

What could she say? Sorry, I would rather strip down at The Cheap Trick than work with Nash.

Not a chance. She bit back the bile crawling up her throat and put on her best pageant smile. “Yes, I’m looking for a new job.”

“Great! I’ll tell Dad. Come by the shop on Monday.” Cade returned to the grill.

She could see him talking to his father through the glass patio door. Eric looked excited.

“I guess I have an interview on Monday,” she mumbled with as much enthusiasm as she did for a bikini wax.

In the backyard, Laney’s mom gave Addison a big hug. “I love that dress. Did your mother come?”

“No, Mom and Mitch left for Michigan for a week to visit Devon and his family.” Addison’s stepbrother moved to the Upper Peninsula after college. They stayed in touch through social media and video calls.

“Come on. I see a couple of seats open by my sister, Shelly.” Laney motioned for her to follow.

Across the lawn, Laney’s sister was sitting with a woman Addison didn’t know. Addison glanced over to the patio where Nash was placing burgers on the grill and laughing with the harem of women that seemed to flock to him wherever he went. So what if he drew women to him like a bear to honey? More like flies to shit. She scowled. Not wanting to deepen her forehead creases, she shook off all thoughts of Nash Steele and put on a bright smile, and continued behind her friend.

“Addison, you know Shelly and Jodell.” Laney made the introductions.

“Good to see you two again.” Addison hugged them.

“This is Hailey, Cade’s sister.”

“Nice to meet you. And who is this little darling?” She feathered a hand over the soft, downy hair of the newborn.

“This is Oliver. Would you like to hold him?”

“Sure.” How hard could it be? Addison had never been around babies. She was the only one in her friend group who never babysat. She helped at the salon.

Addison stiffened as Hailey placed the sleeping bundle into her arms. Stiff and anxious, she felt more comfortable holding a priceless piece of art than a tiny human. She gazed at the little one snuggled in her arms, his sweet face with his pouty lips silently sucking. She’d swear her heartbeat slowed down just looking at him.

Laney and Marti grinned at each other. Addison ignored them and smiled at the adorableness in her arms. Babies really weren’t that bad.

“Does Saturday work for the flowers?” Shelly asked the group, but her attention was on her son, wielding the largest water gun Addison had ever seen. “Connor! Don’t shoot that at your grandmother.”

“I believe so. Marti? Addison? Does that work for you?” Laney continued as if nothing had happened. Her eyes silently pleaded with her to come.

Addison knew no more about flowers than the next person, but she knew Laney’s mom and sister. They would steamroll over Laney if they liked something different. Laney had come a long way when it came to standing up to her mother, but she still backslid in times of stress. And a wedding was stressful, no matter how you looked at it.

“My schedule is wide open.”

“Except for the interview on Monday.” Of course, Marti wouldn’t let her forget it.

The talk turned to the bridal shower as Addison quietly rocked side to side with the sleeping child. She wasn’t even aware that she was moving until Laney and Marti exchanged another look. Smiles crossed their faces, but they continued to talk as if nothing had happened.

Well, she didn’t care. She was enjoying her time with the little one.