Page 47 of Eternally Bound

“You never know,” he croaked, as I took the hand he offered, pivoting my legs out, so I could get out of the car gracefully. My hands smoothed the coat down, to ensure it wasn’t hiked up my thigh along with my dress.

He put a hand at the small of my back, and even through the coat, it warmed me. He guided me up the front step. Regardless of the holiday season and the restaurant being closed, the building was stunning, and it felt glamorous to walk through the front door with him by my side.

“Mr. Carrington,” the hostess said with a blinding smile. “Welcome.” Her gaze came my way and she offered me a grin. “Your guests are already here. I hope you have a wonderful evening.”

I raised my eyebrow at Daniel. “Guests?” I asked under my breath.

He just nodded but didn’t elaborate. Instead, he helped me out of my coat and handed it to the hostess that hung it up. Then she strutted off towards the dining room, Daniel’s hand pressed into my back, urging me on.

As soon as we entered the dining room, my step faltered. Layla stood there, her back to me, speaking to two men. They looked like brothers. One of those two men held a woman with dark hair in his arms, and I recognized her immediately.

It was Liberty Smith. Well, I guess it was Caldwell now if what William told me was true. Guilt immediately swelled inside me and the images of a heartbroken bride in front of the church assaulted my vision.

I turned my head at Daniel. “I can’t-”

He took my hand and pressed a kiss on it. “It will be fine. Maxim and Alexander Caldwell are close friends. They have a place in Scotland so before they headed to it, I wanted you to meet them all. You’ll like them all, particularly Liberty and Layla.”

Before I could say another word, a voice traveled over. “Finally,” a deep man’s voice exclaimed. “I thought you gave us the wrong restaurant.”

Daniel’s lips curved into a smile. “Next time I will,” he teased and we joined the group. “Everyone, this is Ainslee McLaren.” He turned to me and continued introductions. “Ainslee, this is Maxim Caldwell. We served in the military together.” With surprise, I noticed that he and Layla were holding hands. “And this is Layla Cambridge, his other half.”

I raised my eyebrow at that introduction. I thought Layla was still obsessed with my cousin Lachlan. After all, she caused quite a scene when Lachlan brought Eve to his annual party at his estate.

“Nice to see you again, Layla,” I smiled at her. She seemed different, more radiant. Her smile was genuine and her blue eyes shone with happiness. It seemed not too long ago she stirred drama around Lachlan and here she was clearly in love with another man.

“Hey, Ainslee. Happy Christmas.” She leaned over and pressed a kiss on my cheek. She dated Lachlan very briefly. It was almost the blink of an eye and their relationship ended, but somehow, they remained friends.

I turned to her companion. “Nice to meet you, Maxim.” I extended my hand.

The tension in my shoulder was stiff, waiting for some kind of backlash. Callen was engaged to his sister-in-law. Surely, these people hated me.

“Nice to meet you, Ainslee.” Maxim’s voice was pleasant, his demeanor easy going. “I can understand now why Daniel insisted on starting some of his business in Scotland.”

Unsure what to say, I just smiled. Maybe these men didn’t know what I had done to Liberty Caldwell?

“And this is Alexander Caldwell and his wife Liberty,” Daniel introduced them next. I glanced uncomfortably, sure that guilt was written all over my face.

“Nice to meet you.” Alexander Caldwell extended his hand, and I took it but my eyes were locked on his wife. It had been years since I had seen her, but she looked just as beautiful. Her dark mane and hazel eyes were hard to forget. I wouldn’t blame her if she hated me. There was no mistaking that she recognized me.

“Nice to meet you too.” I could barely push the words out of my mouth, guilt strong and overwhelming.

“Layla raved about your singing,” Liberty smiled softly. “She had a thing for your cousin a while back and couldn’t stop talking about your voice. Alexander and I will have to come and see you at the opera.” She rubbed her belly, and suddenly I noticed a bump. She was pregnant. As if she saw my expression, she added, “We are expecting triplets.”

“Wow,” I muttered in shock. Should I apologize or pretend I never wronged her? The latter seemed wrong, but I wasn't sure how to tactfully bring it up. “Triplets, huh? Congratulations.”

She leaned back into her husband and something in my chest loosened. She must have loved him and trusted him.

“Thank you,” she beamed. “I’m trying to convince Layla to get going but she is resisting.”

I honestly couldn’t picture Layla as a mother. There were too many images of her inappropriate outburst I witnessed, but we all changed. She didn't seem like the same person from four months ago. It was the last time I saw her.

“No, thanks, sis,” Layla chimed in, taking a drink of her wine. “I’m in no rush to get knocked up.”

Ahhh, there was Layla I knew. Wait, did she just call hersis? I frowned, glancing between the two women.

Liberty chuckled. “We found out we were half-sisters,” she explained, seeing confusion in my eyes. “Crazy family history and drama.” She rolled her eyes. “Like a soap opera type of drama.” Then she turned her face to her husband who was watching her with pure possessiveness. “But it all worked out perfectly.”

I watched their exchange of unspoken words with fascination. It was clear they loved each other and were happy. Alexander’s hand gently rubbed her back, his other hand on his wife’s hip.

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