Page 6 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

“Ok,” I muttered. “I’ll go back in.”

She observed me with concern in her honey eyes. “I want to do what is best for you,” she told me. “Maybe I pushed you too fast and too hard. I am way out of my element here. I’m a physician, not a psychiatrist. It might be better to see one to help us through this.”

I noticed she said “help us” not “help me” and that’s why I loved my sister.

With a choke in my throat, I decided it is the least I could do. “I’ll go back in,” I repeated softly.

“Are you sure?” Her question held concern, love, and hope.

I nodded in silence.

“Okay,” she replied with a hug. “I’ll be with you.”

Together, we went back in and walked to the elevator. With false confidence, I tried to ignore everything. I felt like everyone’s eyes were staring at us but maybe it was in my head. But Elise had my back and we got into the elevator. Just the two of us.

Once I exited at the appropriate floor, Elise spoke to the receptionist, and the next second, there was an older man meeting us.

“Elise and Eve?” he asked with a smile as he approached us. He was at least in his sixties. He was fairly tall and built strong for a man his age. His silvery gray hair made him look distinguished but his eyes appealed the most to me. They were a warm brown and kind.

“Yes,” Elise took the lead, her hand holding mine. “Brandon is my husband and told us you expected us at eight. I apologize, we are a little bit late.”

“That is quite alright,” he replied in a kind voice. “Your timing is perfect.”

I stood still, trying to focus on the conversation. I wanted to appear normal for my sister’s sake, not a complete mess that I was. My mind wanted to block them out but I forced myself to listen.

He turned to me and reached out his hand.

“Hello, I’m Colin McLaren.” I let go of Elise’s hand and took his hand in a handshake.

“Hello, Eve Bailey,” my voice came out as a whimper. If he noticed, he hid it well.

“Nice to meet you,” he replied. “We will work closely together and I look forward to it. Brandon provided some references from your college years and they were impressive.”

“Thank you,” I mumbled. I felt like a charity case for getting a job without even interviewing for it. Made me wonder what exactly Brandon shared.

Elise interjected proudly. “She was excellent at finance and made enough money to pay for her tuition. Everybody was disappointed a bit when she decided not to pursue it full time.”

“Well, I’m happy to have you on my team,” Colin beamed. “Are you ready to start? I can show you around or take you straight to work. Which do you prefer?”

I didn’t want to see people so I retorted quickly, “Straight to my desk, please. And a general idea of where the bathroom and kitchen are.”

His laugh bellowed across the room. “My kind of girl. Shall we then?”

“Ok, I’m going to go.” Elise pecked me on the cheek, reminding me of the time she took me to my first day of Kindergarten. She made me feel like a little girl all over again. “Want me to meet you at the end of the day and we can grab dinner?”

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I’d make it all day, but I kept that to myself. Instead, I just replied in a soft voice. “Maybe we pick up dinner and eat at home?”

“Perfect.” She beamed and gave my hand an encouraging squeeze.

I watched her as she left after one last glance at me, concern evident in her hazel eyes. It took everything I had not to run out of the building and leave.

“Ready?” Colin asked in a gentle voice, a comforting smile on his face.

“Yes.” My voice was raspy. I cleared my throat and tried again. “Yes, please”

I felt panic rising through me but I tampered it down with what I hoped was a small smile on my face. It’s been so long since I even pretended a smile I wasn’t sure I knew how to do it anymore.

Within five minutes, I knew where the bathroom and kitchen were. Just as I preferred, he showed me to my desk and I even had a small office, which was situated right next to his.

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