Page 92 of Driven to Love

She set down the cat’s food and took her coffee to the kitchen table. Addison sat. She pushed the mug away and dropped her head into her hands.

After talking to her mom yesterday, she wanted to run to Nash’s house, bang on his door, and beg for his forgiveness, but… What if that voice, the one she’d listened to when she walked out, was right? Not to mention, she’d never groveled before. Never pursued a man. And here she sat, second-guessing everything. This was tearing her apart. All she wanted was to curl up in Nash’s strong arms and let him make all her decisions from now on.

She snorted at herself. “Silly much?”

But something about the way Nash took charge shot tingles through her body.

She rolled her head from side to side on her palms. “Damn pride.” Yes, that’s what kept her from marching over to his house and begging like Lu did for cheese, even though he was lactose intolerant.

She peeked through her fingers at Lu.

He blinked and gave her a long look.

“Yeah. I know. I’m the one making it hard.” She leaned back in the chair and picked up her phone. She played Nash’s voicemail again. God, she loved the sound of his voice.

But for the first time, she actually listened to his words. He was right. He deserved a conversation. If she’d taken the time to talk to him about her concerns, she might be in his arms right now.

Who was she kidding? Addison had always been headstrong and independent. No more.

Bullshit.

She winced. Okay, not as often.

She pulled up his contact and had typed in the first word when her doorbell rang. A rush of hope flooded her veins. Nash?

Pushing back the chair, she ran-walked to the door, pulling up short as she reached for the knob. The last weeks had taught her some self-preservation.

She peeked through the glass. Her heart fluttered. She smoothed a shaky hand down her T-shirt, then gripped the doorknob. Would he want to work this out? Should they?

With more force than needed, she yanked open the door.

“Hi.” Her breathy sound startled her.

Nash’s piercing blue eyes crinkled at the edges. Those tiny lines sent butterflies spiraling in her stomach. “I said I would give you space and time, but I’m not a patient man.”

She stepped back, letting him inside. Her heart fluttered.

“I was just about to call you.” Liar. She had been going to text him. The only problem was she didn’t know what she was going to say. Now that he was standing in front of her in all his hotness, she’d better figure it the hell out.

“Addison.”

“Nash.”

“You go first.” He gestured for her to continue. Well, shit. Now she had to figure out what she was gonna say. If she could only have kept her mouth shut. Not one of her better traits.

“I owe you an apology.”

“No, you don’t. You’ve had a lot going on in the last few days, the last few weeks, really. I want you to know I’m here for you.” His words lingered, as if he wanted to add more.

“Why do you have to be so perfect?”

A hint of a dimple flashed on his cheek.

Tears welled in her eyes, and those dimples disappeared, replaced with concern.

“Honey, what’s with the tears?” Nash wrapped her in his arms, and she let him, resting her head on his shoulder, letting the tears fall and soak into his shirt. She rocked her head from side to side.

“No, no.” She pulled back and looked up at him, blinking away the excess moisture. “You’re perfect, but I’m not perfect for you.”