Page 26 of Driven to Love

“Me too,” she exclaimed. A conspiratorial smile flashed, brightening her beautiful face.

Whoa. A smile. Not the full-on beam of sunshine she saved for her girls, but it was something—a bridge to this new, friendlier relationship they were building.

“Anyway. I had better get going. Lu needs his dinner.” She stood, slipped around the table, and gave Laney and Marti hugs.

“Lu?”

“‘Night.” Her words flowed back to him as she walked away.

He turned to Laney. “Lu?”

“Her cat. We should go too. Daisy will need to go out.” Laney ran a hand over Cade’s forearm.

“Just admit it. You want to go snuggle your new puppy,” Marti said, as she pulled out some cash and dropped it on the table.

“Maybe. Is that so bad?”

“No, but I can’t believe you haven’t invited me over to see her yet.” Marti crossed her arms and huffed.

“Since when do you need an invitation? Come on over.”

“Okay.” Marti did a little happy dance.

“Are you coming?” Cade asked Nash.

He checked the time. “Naw. I have one at home who probably needs to go out as well. Another time.”

“We need to schedule a puppy playdate.” Laney gave him a quick hug before taking Cade’s hand.

“Now I want one.” Marti stuck out her lower lip. Instead of looking childish, she looked cute. Nash liked Marti. She reminded him of his little sister. Even if she hadn’t reminded him of his sister, something in his gut told him her heart was otherwise engaged, although the guy might not know it yet.

Laney snorted. “You live on a farm. Don’t you have like ten dogs? Not to mention all the other animals?”

“Yeah, but puppies are so cute.” Marti shrugged.

Nash shook his head. She wasn’t wrong. The only thing cuter was Addison when she gave him that annoyed look. Nash chuckled to himself as he pulled out some cash and added it to the pile on the table. “I’m out. See you all later.”

Walking to his car, he shook his head. Addison was cute, alright, but like a feral cat with razor barbs. She had dangerous written all over her, and damn if he wasn’t drawn to danger. That was why he enlisted in the first place and why he put in a reassignment request to be an EOD technician on the bomb squad. But then Beth told him they were expecting, and his priorities changed. Danger was out, and security was in.

Davey was Nash’s first priority. Always.

Chapter 9

Sunday night, Addison returned home after her date with Corey. She slumped against the door. Relief flooded her. “Glad that’s over.”

Lu brushed against her leg and purred.

“The only man in my life I can rely on.” She scooped him up and nuzzled into the fur. Her phone pinged. Setting him down, she checked the message.

Marti: You still on your date?

Addison: Just got home.

Marti: Come over to Laney’s. Cade’s out. We’re doing wedding stuff.

Addison groaned. Her gaze drifted to the stairs. After spending the day with Mr. Sports Fan, her comfy pants and a good book were calling.

Marti: We have wine.