The idea of her driving out to that house in the middle of nowhere had panic setting in. “No.”
“Excuse me?”
I cleared my throat. “Why don’t you stay in the guest room tonight? The girls would love it. I’m just picking up pizza right now.”
“I’m not staying at your house. I need to go home.”
“If you want me to keep my mouth shut around Hayes, you’ll stay with us tonight.”
A little bit of color came back into Hadley’s complexion as she climbed out of her SUV. “That’s blackmail.”
I shrugged. “It might be, but it’s what I can live with.”
She looked away from me, seeming to mull something over. “Fine. I’m too tired and hungry to argue with you.”
“Good thing I ordered extra food.”
Hadley beeped her locks and fell into step with me as I headed towards the pizza shop. “Who’s with the girls?”
“Addie stayed late today.”
Hadley’s steps faltered just the slightest bit. “I don’t want to interrupt.”
“Interrupt what?”
“A date or whatever?”
I barked out a laugh, but it abruptly cut off. “Are you serious? You think I’m seeing Addie?” It wasn’t that Addie wasn’t beautiful—she was—but we didn’t fit. Not like… I cut that thought right off.
“Seems like you two get along. It would probably be a good pairing. I know Mom’s hoping you two get together.”
“Julia thinks there’s something between us?”
“She wants there to be.”
I held open the door to the restaurant. “Well, then she doesn’t know me very well.”
Birdie patted her stomach.“That was so good.”
Hadley licked her spoon clean in a move that had me forcing my gaze away. “Thanks for my extra sprinkles.”
“I got your back,” Birdie assured her.
Addie stood from the table and started gathering dishes.
“You don’t have to clean up,” I said.
“I’m happy to do it. Thanks again for dinner.”
“You know you’re welcome anytime.” I stole a glance at Hadley, who studiously avoided my gaze. Shit. I needed to watch my words to Addie around Hadley. There was nothing there. I just wished Hads could see that.
Addie ducked her head and moved to the sink. Hadley stood to follow her but drilled a finger into Sage’s side first. “Did you get enough to eat, Goose?”
Sage nodded. “Can I be excused to read my book?”
I ruffled her hair. “Of course. Birdie and I will help clean up since you helped me with breakfast.”
“Aw, man,” Birdie groaned.