Page 36 of Full Strength

He finally left, allowing the door to shut behind him. There was silence for a beat before I remembered why I was here. I held up the bag. “I brought you lunch.”

Her eyes widened. “Chicken pesto sandwich and the berry poppy seed salad?”

I nodded and watched as her smile grew feeling pretty dang good about myself. I set the bag down and started handing things to her. She picked up the sandwich and smelled the wrapper. “Mmmmmm I’ve been craving this for weeks, but haven’t had time to go get it.”

Cue my blooming ego. “I’m glad I can give you what you want.”

I’d meant for it to be a joke, but the way her cheeks blushed made me realize how it would be interpreted. I laughed nervously and set out my food.

After I pulled up a chair next to her and we’d started eating, she set down her fork suddenly and turned to me. “Did you get my text?”

I nodded.

“So that’s why you’re here?”

I nodded again. “Yeah, I couldn't think of an adequate response. I wanted to see you.”

Her shoulders dropped. “Even after the way I treated you?”

I opened my mouth but she continued.

“I didn’t even say thank you, Grant. I completely overreacted.”

“You had every right to. I shouldn’t have been looking through your things.”

She reached forward and grabbed my hand. My heart reacted like I’d just ran a sprint. “You’ve been nothing but kind and generous and lo...caring toward me and Eli. I’m embarrassed that you saw the bill, but I really do appreciate what you did.”

I squeezed her hand, letting the almost L word slide. “I know I overstepped. I should have brought it up with you, but you were already so exhausted and overwhelmed. I just wanted to do one thing to take pressure off you.”

She leaned forward. “I realize that now. I’m just used to doing everything on my own. I’ve wanted to prove to myself and to my parents that I can do it. That I can provide for myself and Eli. But I’m not so sure I can.”

She looked down and I instantly hated the frown that had destroyed her smile.

“No one should expect you to. I know you’re not interested in pursuing child support but you should have that resource helping you and Eli.”

She blinked and met my eyes. “I don’t want him in my life again.”

I nodded. I really did understand that. I just wish there was a way to get what Eli deserved without actually having to be involved with her ex.

“I promise I won’t do anything without your permission, but will you promise me you’ll let me know when you need help?”

She glanced away and I knew she wouldn't agree to that. “I don’t know if I can.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know how to ask for help. I don’t know how to admit defeat. I’m too stubborn, as Ronny pointed out.”

I squeezed her hand and waited for her to turn back toward me. When she finally did, I saw the exhaustion clear on her face. “I care about you, Addison. I know we’ve only known each other for a few months but you’ve become a huge part of my life. I don’t have any right to, but I want to help. I want to take care of you and Eli.” I sighed. “I’ve never felt this way before, but knowing that you’re stressed or burdened by something that I can fix kills me.”

Her eyes widened with my admission, but I didn’t retreat.

“I really like you. We may not have dated or done things in a normal order, but that doesn’t mean my feelings are any less real.”

“Grant.”

I pulled her closer, waiting a fraction of a second for a reaction. When she didn’t pull away, I took that as my sign. I leaned in until I could feel her breath mix with mine. I studied her beautiful face. Her smooth skin and bright blue eyes. Her lips were so close. I needed to know.

The second our lips met I knew I was ruined.