Page 25 of Full Strength

He cocked his head. “You can’t work around other people with the way you’re feeling. You might have to take an extra sick day but is that worse than getting your entire staff, and even clients, sick?”

He had a point. It was more selfish of me to get everyone else sick, but that didn’t help my bank account. I’d already asked for advances too many times in the last year to do it again. I was running out of options. I could go to one of those payday loan places, but I knew they only made matters worse. I doubted I’d be able to afford to pay them back with all the fees and interest they charge.

I considered reaching out to my parents, but I knew how that conversation would end. They’d demand that I moved back home in exchange for any help. They had said since the day I got pregnant that I couldn’t do this on my own, and I was proving them right. I didn’t want to admit to them and the rest of the world that I didn’t have what it takes to be a single mother.

I glanced at Grant who was back to watching the TV. He was right. I needed help, I needed Eli’s father to step up and take responsibility but I couldn't ask him. I didn’t want him in my life and I never wanted him to be around Eli.

We didn’t need his negativity around us.

I’d just have to ask Camille for another advance. Or maybe a raise. Maybe come up with a proposal based on the fact I was doing two people’s jobs. When I was there...calling in didn’t help my case.

I slumped into a chair at the kitchen table and dropped my head into my hands.

Something would come up and it would all workout. It always did. No matter how tight things got, I made it work in the end. I just needed a last-minute rescue, like now.

I heard footsteps and looked up. Grant was standing across from me looking concerned. I took a mental snap shot of him holding Eli. He looked so natural, and so beautiful.

I shook the thought. I couldn’t be thinking about how attractive Grant was at a time like this. I had other priorities. Like making sure our water and electricity didn’t get turned off.

“Your boss will understand, Addison. If you’re not feeling up to it, I can call and let them know.”

Oh yeah, wouldn’t that get the rumor mill going. A strange man calling in the morning from my phone. Nope. I could do it.

“I’ll just text her.”

He handed my phone to me from where I’d left it on the counter. I sent off a brief text to Camille and Ronny letting them know I wouldn’t be coming in.

“I started Eli’s prescription last night, but yours are right here.” He picked up an orange bottle and handed them to me.

I looked from them to his eyes and back. “What?”

“I called Eli’s pediatrician last night and he wrote a prescription for each of you.”

My mouth fell open. “How did I miss that? When did you get them?”

He smirked. “You were passed out on the couch. I had my assistant pick them up along with some food.”

I looked around the kitchen and realized there were things I hadn’t bought sitting around. Another loaf of bread, bananas, a few boxes of cereal. I had a feeling when I opened the fridge I’d see even more.

I wanted to be upset with him for overstepping but I was too grateful. “Thank you, Grant.”

His smile turned into the biggest grin I’d ever seen on him. “You’re welcome.”

I shook my head and opened my arms. “Let me see him.”

Grant came over and carefully placed Eli in my arms. He looked better than he had the day before. Not as red or clammy. I slid my finger down his cheeks and pressed a kiss to his forehead, careful not to wake him. He wasn’t nearly as warm as he’d been yesterday.

“Thank you for taking care of him. I can’t believe I slept through the night without checking.”

Grant pulled out the chair next to me and slid down. “I’m glad you did. That’s why I stayed.”

“That’s a whole other thing. I really appreciate that you stayed, but you didn’t have to.”

His eyes met mine and it felt like he was trying to communicate something to me. He blinked and looked down for a second. “You may not think that I had to, but there wasn’t a chance I was going to leave.” He sighed. “I know you’re set on doing everything on your own, but you don’t have to.”

I leaned back and looked down at Eli to keep from getting too upset. “Are you talking about child support?”

“That and the people around you that love you and want to help.”