Page 10 of Full Strength

I looked up and smiled at Emma. “Thanks. He’s pretty easy though.”

She sat next to me and watched Eli soaking the front of the Fury onesie I’d bought him. I liked seeing him representing the team. He was by far our cutest fan.

“You’re going to have to go slow with her.”

I glanced at her but she was still looking at Eli. “She doesn't get to be spontaneous or make rash decisions. She has to be careful and think about how every decision will affect Eli.”

I nodded. I knew that already. “I wouldn’t ever push her into anything she wasn’t ready for.”

Emma smiled. “Good, but just remember to be patient. She’s been hurt not only by her ex, but by her own family. She might take a while to fully trust you.”

I’d thought about that too. She’d been through so much in the past year. It was shocking she even spoke to me at all. It showed how much she trusted Emma, and I think a bit of it had to do with not wanting her past to win. She made the effort to move forward and not dwell on things. It was one of the things I admired most about her.

“I’ll go at her pace.”

Emma seemed to accept that. “Good, and don’t give up on her if it gets hard. She’s worth the fight.”

I wasn’t sure how Emma knew this was what I needed to hear but I appreciated her intuition. She was giving me the permission I’d been wanting to go after Addison. I’d been careful to keep my feelings at bay, until now.

I wanted Addi to get to know me and get comfortable around me. I wanted us to be friends first. I truly cared about her and Eli. I didn’t want to mess that up, even if it meant staying just friends. I’d follow her lead.

Addison crossed the room and smiled down at her son. “I need to head out. I’ve got to be at the salon in an hour and it’s little man’s nap time.”

I smiled at the nickname I always used for Eli and lifted him up to her.

“Are you sure you don’t need me to watch him?” Emma asked.

“No, Mrs. Jefferies will be home tonight.”

I watched their interaction and had to keep my mouth closed. This was why I’d initially looked into child support. Addi worked as much as she could, but her neighbor, an elderly woman, was her primary babysitter. She was only able to work the closing shifts at the salon because it was the time Mrs. Jefferies was home. She should be able to afford a child care center, or nanny. Her ex should be helping with that.

It wasn’t my place though. I’d offered more than once to watch Eli or research alternatives but Addison was firm that she had a system worked out. I didn’t get an opinion on the topic, so I just had to let her do things her way.

Emma nodded and gave Addi a side hug. I stood and grabbed my bag that I’d stashed by the door. “I’ll walk you out.”

We didn’t say much on the way to the elevator, Eli was entertaining us, but when we got to her car I paused, blocking the door. “Can I call you later?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Of course, you can.”

I nodded and studied the ground. “Maybe we can talk about going out sometime.”

She didn’t move. Didn’t speak so I finally looked up. She was studying me through narrowed eyes. “Are you trying to ask me out, Grant?”

I shrugged and shook my head. “I mean…” I suddenly felt as big as an ant. She was turning me down before I could even properly ask. Great. Really smooth.

“Why don’t you call me and we can discuss.” She winked and side stepped me so she could buckle in Eli.

“Sounds good.” I stepped back and watched as she walked around her car and got in, and finally drove away.

We had a date, to talk. That was a step. Nice and slow, right?

I sighed. I’d been single for too long. Rusty didn’t even begin to describe my relationship and flirting skills. More like nonexistent.

4

Addison

I was two minutes late when I walked through the back door of the salon, Reform. Not that I’d get in trouble. I was the manager, after all. But I had to set an example for the rest of the employees, at least that’s what I’d told Camille. She was the salon owner and didn’t care too much about what I did as long as things ran smoothly and the bank deposits were on time. She might not have cared about two minutes, but I did.