Going Down Easy (Boys of the Big Easy #1)(23)

But Gabe had a son. And lived with his mom, who helped raise that son. And Gabe thought that he and Addison would make the perfect couple because they were both single parents of five-year-olds.

Who had a really great time together.

And who had chemistry unlike anything she’d ever experienced before.

Yeah, yeah, okay, so on paper that sounded perfect. Dammit. She reached for another praline. They did have a great time together and had amazing chemistry. Minus the two kids, she’d be all over him probably.

But there was no taking the kids out of the equation. So that was that.

Still, she couldn’t help wondering what Gabe’s son was like. Was he a big blue-eyed charmer like his dad? He almost had to be. He didn’t have a mom who might lend another perspective and balance some of that I’m-a-hell-of-a-good-time vibe that Gabe exuded. Then again, he did have his grandmother. It sounded like Gabe’s mom was a constant, steady presence. And then again, Logan was also involved. Lord, if the kid’s two main male influences were Gabe and Logan Trahan, the five-year-old probably already had girls lined up around the block.

Addison sighed and looked down at the invitation from the support group. Maybe she should check it out. She needed to make new friends. Or, at least, talk to other people with kids once in a while. Other people with kids besides Gabe Trahan. Because the less she thought about him and wondered about him—and his had-to-be-adorable son—the better.

“Hey, Addison, can I run something past you?”

Addison turned, swallowing her bite of praline before answering Elena. “Of course.”

Elena took a deep breath. “Do I smell pralines?”

Addison shifted to show the basket. “Yep.”

“Oh my God.” Elena took the praline Addison held out. “Are these from Gabe, too?”

Ugh, even hearing his name made her chest hurt. “No. They’re from a single-parents support group.” She held up the invitation.

“No kidding.” Elena took a bite of the maple candy and chewed. “You going to go?”

“Not sure. Maybe?”

“I could watch Stella for you.”

Addison forced a smile. “Oh, that’s okay. I have someone.”

“I haven’t seen her since you moved down here. I’d really love to have a pizza and movie night, Ad,” Elena said.

Addison bit her bottom lip. She and Elena had been close in college, but when Elena had moved to Louisiana, they’d drifted apart a bit. Elena came back to New York to visit her family regularly, and they always made time for lunch and to catch up, but they weren’t a part of each other’s daily lives. Elena had met Stella a few times. But she’d never babysat. Addison would never have asked her. Well, even if they were a part of each other’s daily lives.

“Then the three of us will have to set a date for a movie night,” Addison said with a smile. “We’d love to have you over. But you’re not babysitting for me. You’re a friend. I’d never take advantage of that.”

“It’s not taking advantage if I offer,” Elena told her.

“But it’s . . . awkward,” Addison said, unable to come up with a better word. “Don’t worry, I have a lady.” She moved to the other side of the desk. “What did you want to show me?”

“You have a lady?” Elena repeated, ignoring Addison’s question.

“I do. She watches Stella after school.”

“A stranger.”

“Well, yes, but I went through a referral service. She has references and a background check and I’m paying her.”

“So she has to do everything exactly your way,” Elena said.

And that made Addison pause. And think. She met her friend’s knowing gaze. And swallowed hard. Then she nodded. “Yeah.”

“I would do everything exactly how you wanted me to,” Elena told her.

“It’s just complicated when it gets personal,” Addison said. “I’m . . . picky. And I don’t want . . .”

“To be disappointed,” Elena filled in when Addison trailed off.

Addison sighed. “Yeah.”

“I’m not your ex.”

Addison shook her head. “I know. But I wanted help in the beginning. I was so overwhelmed. And who would be better than her father? If anyone was as dedicated as I was, it should have been him.”

“Of course it should have,” Elena agreed. “But he was an asshole. That doesn’t mean everyone else who ever has anything to do with Stella will be.”

“But it kind of means I have crappy asshole radar, doesn’t it?” Addison said with a small smile. She’d admit it—she’d been burned by wanting to involve someone else in Stella’s life, someone who should have loved her completely and who hadn’t held up his end of the bargain. It was so much easier to just do it herself. Or to get help from people she could fire if things didn’t go her way.

Elena laughed. “Well, we’ve all got at least one asshole who snuck past our security systems at some point.” Then she gave Addison an affectionate, if slightly worried, smile. “You have to give someone else a chance at some point.”

“Do I?” Addison asked. She wasn’t convinced she did.

Elena sighed. “Okay, fine. But my offer stands. Anytime.”