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“If it’s what you want, Addy offered to help do it for you.”
She turned toward Addison. “I’d love to.” Then she tackle-hugged her dad. “Thank you, thank you. This is the best birthday present.” She turned, running into the other room. “Grandma, Grandma, guess what I’m going to do.”
Gabe sighed. “Thanks, Addy, I needed the win. Where do I get the hair dye?”
And just like that, Addison had won over the beast.
Later that night, my brothers and I sat on the porch with bourbon and cigars. Kelsey, Addison, and my mom had formed a team to dye a strip of Samantha’s hair, to my niece’s extreme delight. After, they’d all retired for the night, my father not far behind them.
“How’s the new job going?” I asked my older brother. He’d relocated to San Diego to be closer to his daughter and, as a result, was in a new position with his company.
“Brutal. The merger of these two companies means there are two chiefs of operations, and wouldn’t you know, she’s my damn boss while we both vie for the job of CEO. And she’s impossible. Fucking perfectionist.”
We chuckled. “Lord help us if there are two of you,” Nic remarked.
Gabe grumbled, “Yeah, well, if I don’t get this promotion, I’m resigning.”
“So you’d be her boss instead if you get CEO?” I asked.
“Yeah. Although I doubt she’d stay either. She’s impossibly stubborn.”
His tone suggested it was more of a compliment than a criticism. Dominic picked up on it too. “What’s she look like?”
Gabe groaned. “Stunning. Divorced. Shut down like Fort Knox to anything personal.”
I laughed out loud. “So you’ve tried?”
He rolled his eyes. “Of course not. This is my career. Change of subject. You and Addison serious?”
“Yeah.” I answered without hesitation even though I now expected a lecture on a prenup or some other bitter piece of advice. He surprised me.
“Good. I like her.”
“Everyone likes her,” Nic quipped.
Because these were my brothers, I shared, “She’s moving in with me.”
Dominic hit my arm. “Dude, you tell me via text you’re together, and now I find out you’re moving in together on the same day?”
Gabe sipped his drink. “I like her too much to point out that this seems rather quick.”
“Maybe, but I want her with me.” In more ways than just having a child together. I wanted to spend my time with her.
“Never thought I’d see the day you fell head over heels for someone. It’s good to see you in love,” Nic remarked.
Only I wasn’t built for love. And not for the first time, I wondered if the little I could give, would be enough for Addison.
ChapterThirty-Four
ADDISON
The day had been a good one, but as I lay in bed in the guest room, I wished Leo would join me. His mother had offered us a room to share, but he’d politely declined. It wasn’t the sleeping arrangements which bothered me, however, so much as not getting a chance to be alone with him.
But as I was about to drift off to sleep, the sound of the door clicking open had me opening my eyes. A smile sprang to my lips at the shadow of Leo’s hulking figure.
“Are you asleep?” came his slightly slurred voice.
“No, I’m awake.” I giggled when he nearly tripped on something and had to steady himself. “How much did you have to drink, big guy?”
