Page 24 of Full Strength

She’d never speak to me again.

But she’d have one less thing to worry about. It was something small to me that would make a huge difference to her.

It wasn’t like she was lazy or not killing herself to make things work. She just needed help to bridge the gap between what she made and what she spent. She was a super star mom. She didn’t deserve this additional stress.

I had to do it.

8

Addison

I woke up feeling like I’d been asleep for years.

I sat up and looked around. Why was I in my bed? I’d fallen asleep on the couch.

Eli!

I hurried out of my room and down the hall. I pushed open his door to find his crib empty.

My heart was racing as I rushed into the living room. Grant was sitting on the couch watching TV with Eli sleeping in his lap.

I let out a sigh and moved to sit next to him. “You’re still here?”

I vaguely remembered him coming over the night before.

“Oh, the date. I’m so sorry Grant.”

He looked at me and smiled. He didn’t seem disgusted by my appearance and current state. I hadn’t looked in the mirror but I was sure I looked and smelled wonderful.

“It’s fine, Addi. I’m glad you were able to rest.”

I nodded and looked down at my son. “Why didn’t I hear him cry?”

Grant smirked. “I saw the monitor on your nightstand when I put you in bed so I took it with me.”

I met his eyes. “So, you slept here?”

He nodded. “I couldn’t just leave you two.”

I loved that he included Eli. Maybe a little too much. I couldn’t believe this man, who could be anywhere else in the world, had slept on my couch and taken care of me and Eli.

“I fed him the formula I found in the cupboard is that okay?”

I smiled and nodded. “Yeah. Thank you. I still can’t believe you stayed and you took care of him.”

He looked down at my peaceful angel and smiled. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

I shook my head. This guy couldn’t be real. No man was this caring and thoughtful and handsome at the same time. Let alone being interested in me. It just wasn’t possible.

I looked at the clock and panic swept through me. “I’m supposed to be to work in twenty minutes.”

Grant looked up with concern. “Addi, you have to call in. You can’t work like this.”

“I have to. I can’t-” I stopped myself before admitting out loud that I couldn’t afford not to work. I was running low this month. Well, for the past few months. I was behind on rent and my credit card bill. If I didn’t own my car, I was sure it would have been repossessed by now.

“You can’t what?” He asked with caution.

“I can’t miss another day. I’ve taken too many days for Eli’s appointments.”