Page 25 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

Chapter Eight

Lachlan and I walked together to work each morning and home each afternoon for the rest of the week.

I wasn’t even sure how we timed it right since we never really made it a daily arrangement. And I liked it. Somehow, he was in tune with all my moods. When I had a hard night, it was as if he felt it and we’d walk in silence. We’d stop at the coffee shop and he would get me coffee with an extra shot of espresso without me asking for it.

After work, we’d stop and grab something to eat. Those little moments brought on a sense of contentment, and bit by bit my walls slowly started crumbling down with each passing moment we spent together. He was easy to talk to and didn’t mind my silent moments, like now as we waited for our dinner in his favorite restaurant. A phone buzzed and I glanced across the table, prompted by the noise, expecting to see him answering his phone.

“I think your phone buzzed,” I told him.

“No, it was yours,” he informed me, smiling.

“Oh,” I frowned as I pulled it out and then smiled. “It’s my sister. I’ll be just a second. When I don’t answer, she worries.”

“Take your time.”

Warmth spread through me hearing his deep voice. I nodded and swiped my phone. She sent a quick note that her and Brandon had a date planned tonight so she might miss my call. I quickly texted back wishing them a good time, don’t do anything I wouldn’t, and let her know everything was alright.

I smiled as I got ready to shut down the phone when immediately her response came back and I chuckled.

I would never!!! LOL I love you!

I typed back “love you too” and put the phone away, looking up at Lachlan who was patiently waiting.

“Sorry about that.”

“Don’t apologize,” he relied. “Family is important.” I nodded, and he added, “You and your sister seem close. Do you talk to your mom a lot too?”

I looked at him pensively, his directness and openness was my weakness. I liked it very much. It was also a glaring evidence of our differences but in a good way, at least for me.

“No, I haven’t talked to my mom in awhile,” I replied. “She’s not exactly a motherly type. My sister is ten years older, and for as long as I can remember, she always took care of me. She’s everything to me.”

Growing up, Elise was my mother, my sister, my father, my brother. I barely remembered my biological father. After his death, my mother was too busy chasing men, husbands, changing lovers like underwear. I made it alive out of all of it unscathed only thanks to Elise.

I frowned with an ache in my chest… almost unscathed.

My fingers reached for my rings around my neck, gently squeezing them, and Lachlan’ eyes traced my movement.

The rings were my reminder, to never forget. Hunter gave me his ring to hold on to as I was leaving for the airport. He wanted me to think about whether we’d have a future together or apart. Nobody knew it, not even Elise. Feeling like a failure for not being able to fix it, I kept all our issues hidden. We had been growing apart with each passing month since I had given birth to Hayden. My little boy.

I glanced out the window, both of us quiet for a moment, before I continued in a hushed voice as if talking to myself. “Our mother was never around, I guess she was worried about getting old and not having a husband after our dad died. It used to bother me when we were young, but Elise was amazing and I didn’t feel like I lacked anything. Honestly, I think she probably had it worse since I had her and she didn’t have someone of her own...till Brandon.”

“Who’s Brandon?” Lachlan’s voice startled me.

“Oh, that’s Elise’s husband,” I told him. “They met in high school and have been together ever since. I think I was in Kindergarten at that point.” I locked eyes with him. “Anyhow, enough about me. What about you?”

He chuckled softly. “What about me?”

“Well, you own a successful business from what I can see,” I started. “And I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a woman, or three, throw their glances your way trying to get you to notice them. Why aren’t you married?”

His baritone laugh echoed through the restaurant and a few more glances were thrown our way. I smiled at him pointedly, my point proven.

“See,” I whispered low. “There were a few more that came our way.”

“Well, I could say the same, Eve,” he replied, laughter coloring his voice. “I’ve seen quite a bit of men eyeing you, hoping for your attention.”

I promptly rolled my eyes. “We changed subjects from me to you,” I reminded him with a smile.

“Fair enough,” he laughed again. “I was lucky enough to see both my grandparents and my parents have a special connection, so I want to find the same.”

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