Page 28 of Driven to Love

Addison dropped her gaze to the magazine while she absently stroked Daisy’s soft, floppy ear. “I want a child.”

“And you can’t have one with one of those hot guys you usually date?”

“I don’t want to be a single mom.” She blinked back the sting of tears. “My mom worked hard to make up for my dad being a deadbeat. I don’t want that for my child. For me.”

Laney set her hand on Addison’s. “Oh, honey. You will find the right guy.”

“You always acted like you didn’t want kids. Your life was so full. What changed?” Marti asked.

Addison shook her head. “I’ve always wanted a family. I just don’t want to be a single mom. Did I tell you I had lunch with Mark last week? I thought he was going to ask me to come back to the office. Instead, he wanted to pick up where we left off with our relationship.”

“The asshole.” Marti spat out the words.

“I just can’t meet the right guy. The guys I date are…”

“Gorgeous!” Marti’s eyes turned dreamy. “Remember the drummer with the amazing ass? What was his name?”

“Lance, and yes, his ass was a sight to behold. But like the others, he was also irresponsible, self-absorbed, and commitment-phobic. I’m ready to find a regular someone who wants to be married and have kids. A partner, not a guy who only wants me to support his career, or the guy who doesn’t have a job, never mind a career, and wants to live off me.” Addison blew out a breath. “I never attract that type of man.”

“Oh, you attract them,” Marti said. “They’re just scared to death that you will crush them like a bug under your four-inch heel, so they don’t ask you out.”

“My mom has been pushing those guys at me since the day my divorce was final. Guys who are as bald as my big toe and about as attractive. But they were good providers, as my mom would say, and had a dental plan.” Laney rolled her eyes.

“Well, I’m ready to date those guys. Looks aren’t everything.”

“No, but it helps if you’re attracted to them for the baby-making part and if you plan to stay married for fifty years.”

When did Marti become the practical one?

Marti took a sip of her wine before pointing at Laney with her glass. “Who was the one with the magnificent hair and the wardrobe that cost more than my car?”

That could have been any number of Addison’s past boyfriends. “Could you be a little more specific?”

“Not yours. The guy Laney went out with.”

“Gary,” Laney groaned. “He wanted to take me shopping after dinner to give me a makeover. He said my shoes should be burned.”

“Which ones?” Marti asked.

“The black flats with the bows.”

“He’s right, sweetie. I’m pretty sure they weren’t in fashion five years ago when you bought them.” Addison patted her friend’s arm, trying to soften the blow.

“Okay, I’ll throw them out tomorrow. Anyway, can we get back to talking about you now? Do you want us to set you up?”

“No. Yes. Maybe? Not a pretty boy like Nash, but a normal guy.”

“I don’t know why you think Nash isn’t a normal guy,” Laney said.

Addison frowned at her, and Laney raised her hands in surrender.

Marti and Laney exchanged a look and nodded. After a minute, Marti said, “Frank.”

“Frank?” Laney tapped her lip. “No… well, maybe.”

“Frank?” Addison didn’t know a Frank. Did she?

Laney held up a hand, silencing Marti. “Let us think about it, and we’ll come up with a list of men who fit your criteria.”