Smooth Sailing at the Event
Chapter 33
Addison’s POV
I was both flattered and a little confused. I was surprised that Phillip was willing to make so many life changes. Especially ones that I could tell were explicitly for us. He told me that he
was willing to go slow, but it didn’t feel slow. I didn’t want to hurt him, which is the exact reason why I told him the truth. That I still had feelings for Garrett. Phillip was a good guy, and I knew his ex had hurt him pretty badly, even if I didn’t know the whole story. I just couldn’t
help holding out hope that Garrett would swoop in and tell me that he loved me and couldn’t
live without me.
That was all I ever wanted: to be loved. I wanted a love to last the test of time, just like my
parents‘. I couldn’t just turn my affections off for him. As angry as I was over Garrett deceiving me, I still loved him. My heart still held onto that love with desperation. I tried to stay calm, but
we were almost at the end of the trial.
I couldn’t believe my birthday was in less than a month, and Garrett had finally made it. I was
praying that our reunion would play out like one of my favorite Hallmark movies: one where I
would run to him, and he would sweep me up into a tight hug before kissing me passionately.
He would then see Corbin and realize that our small family deserved to be together.
“Addison?” I heard Phillip call me with concern in his voice.
“Sorry, I was lost in thought,” I replied.
“I just wanted to tell you. I am trying not to rush you. I know that you need time to figure out
what you want. I just wanted to pick you and Corbin up. I wanted you to both be safe riding
with me. There was no other thought than that. One day, I will have a family, and this vehicle
will work out perfectly for them, too,” Phillip advised.
“I didn’t want you to get your hopes up, Phillip. The deadline is approaching, and Garrett will
get to meet Corbin. I don’t want you to get hurt. You have been wonderful to us, but I don’t
want to date anyone officially. My heart still belongs to another,” I told him.
I really didn’t want to hurt him. His family had long worked with mine and had a close
friendship. I didn’t want to mess that up between them. I told him from the start that I wasn’t
ready. I would probably give him a chance to win my heart if things don’t work out with
Garrett. I honestly do not know how long it will take to recover from it if he breaks my heart
again. As much as I claimed I would harden my heart against him, it was much easier said
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than done. I wanted Garrett. I loved him, and despite his actions, I still do.
“Addison, you didn’t ask me to do anything. I did this on my own. I know what I want now, and I want you and Corbin to be my family. I am not asking you to make a decision today. I understand what you told me. I know that you still love and care for Corbin’s father. I just want you to know I will be there for you if he breaks your heart again. I know this was kind of quick for
you. But I have heard a lot about you since I was eight. I ignored it at first because I was a kid. After Bryson showed me your picture, I just wanted to meet you. Bryson and Evan are always singing your praises. I just wanted to get to know you. See if maybe this is something that could turn into love. I want to have what my parents have. I know I won’t get that chance unless Garrett makes another mistake. I pray he doesn’t hurt you again. You don’t deserve it. But if he does, I promise you, Addison. I will be there for you to help pick up the pieces,” Phillip told me.
I glanced into the backseat and saw Corbin intent on the TV screen on the back of Phillip’s headrest. I was glad to see he was utterly absorbed in PAW Patrol and not listening to us. Phillip was really thoughtful. He showed us that with every interaction we have had. I never asked him to do anything for us, but he keeps showing up and making me like him more each time we are together. I had growing feelings for him. Who wouldn’t when he showed me how much he cared for me and my son? I just didn’t want to move forward with him, not yet. Not when I was holding out for Garrett. It wasn’t fair to Phillip for me to do that.
“There is always a chance, Phillip,” I told him quietly with a smile.
Once we arrived at the hotel where it was being held, Phillip handed off his keys to the valet before getting Corbin out of the SUV. I was assisted down and straightened my dress when I saw Phillip and my son walk around the back of the SUV. My baby boy held Phillip’s hand as they walked towards me. They looked so cute together that I found myself tearing up. I had to look up to try and blink back the tears. I didn’t want to ruin my makeup before entering the
event hall.
Phillip treated Corbin well. He liked Corbin and was naturally protective of him. Holding his hand to keep him safe seemed to come naturally to Phillip. He approached me and placed one hand on my lower back, and we walked inside together. The lobby was welcoming, and they ensured that any photographers were across the street to keep the people arriving from being
photographed. Many people were there, and I was glad to see my aunt and uncle waiting by
one of the sets of double doors to enter the venue.
This place was massive and an excellent choice to hold significant events like this. They had
it down to an art, with the staff smoothly moving around and serving drinks. The decor of gold
and white filled the room. It looked effortlessly elegant. Light music played in the background
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as people spoke together in small groups.
We followed my aunt and uncle toward a group of people, and I saw my grandmother and grandfather in that group. My aunt stopped a wait staff member and spoke briefly to ask for a booster seat for Corbin. He had caught the eyes of several as he walked across the room with us, holding Phillip’s hand. Several people were smiling at him in his little tux. I have to admit he looked so handsome in it. Corbin broke from Phillip’s hand as we got closer to my
grandparents.
Corbin loved them and immediately ran over to them. Excited to see them both. My grandfather picked him up and introduced him to the people he was speaking to. The pride in his voice as he told them who Corbin was, was evident to all. A woman about my age was squealing in delight at how he was dressed. As the group turned to look at Phillip and me, I realized who they were. It was Phillip’s family. He looked very much like his father, with his
mother’s hair color.
I am hyper–anxious now. I was bracing for the comment about me being a young single
mother, but it never came. They were all trying to talk to Corbin about his tux. He proudly told
them he wanted to match me, and they all smiled and nodded at him.
“You sure do match your mother. Your pocket square and bowtie are just precious,” the young
woman said before grinning at me.
“Yes, you and my son look very handsome in your tuxedos, Corbin. I have to agree. It is nice to
meet you, Addison. You look stunning,” Phillip’s mother told me. There was no sarcasm or
scorn in her voice. She meant it, and I was caught by surprise. I noticed that her dress was the
first one I had designed the one my mother had sent to my aunt Alex five years ago.
“You look gorgeous in your dress as well, Mrs. Briggs. I have to tell you a little background
about your dress. You are wearing my first ‘official‘ creation. My mother sent my design in
along with her designs. Thankfully, my aunt agreed it was worth making and putting into the
main clothing line. I didn’t know that my mother had even done that until my aunt told me,” I
replied with a smile.
“Really? I love hearing that. Please call me Devyn. You are still so young, Addison, but you have amazing talent. This dress is one of my favorite dresses to wear. It is fun and
comfortable but still has a timeless feel to it. I wear it at least once a year, but I have to admit
that it is only because it is my very favorite. Gwen was just telling me that you also designed her gown and Montgomery’s tux. They are so proud of you. I must admit that Erin and I are
star–struck meeting you tonight, Devyn told me.
Her confession left me confused. Star–struck? Over me? I was delighted that she was such a
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kind woman. “I am just Addison; there is never a reason to be star–struck around me,” I replied with a more genuine smile this time. Their warm reception lessened my fear of meeting them.
“We must come and get gowns for next month’s awards ceremony. I would love to see your new line,” Erin told me.
“Of course. I am still in my junior year and have class three times a week, but I am in the boutique on the other three days as needed. I can always design at home, and it is nice to do that and spend time with Corbin, too. You can set an appointment, or just text me, and I will meet you both there,” I told them. Erin could barely hold herself back as she heard what I said.
“Oh my goodness, thank you so much, Addison. I am an interior decorator. Just let me know if you need any help with that. I would be glad to do it for you,” Erin replied. Her excitement was contagious. She was happy to tell me all about herself. She is turning twenty–one next month, too, just 5 days before my birthday. She was very artistic, and we had a lot in common. We had already exchanged numbers before we were asked to take our seats as the event was about to begin.
My grandfather looked great as he accepted his award. His pictures are being taken over and over again. He won an Excellence in Construction award and a special ENR award. He mentioned that my grandmother was his rock and support. He noted that all of his immediate family was with him. We were all very proud of him.
We could all tell he was overcome with emotion when he mentioned my mother as he thanked his entire family for coming tonight. He then thanked everyone and came back to our table. It was a very special night, and I enjoyed being there. Phillip sat on one side of me and Corbin on the other. He sat between me and my aunt. Everything went well until I took Corbin to use the restroom. That was the moment when my night took a turn for the worst.
