Page 7 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

He kept me busy all day but I barely saw him or anyone else, which I was thankful for. I didn’t want to make new acquaintances. He gave me some data entry spreadsheets to update, documents to scan into a filing drive, and other miscellaneous tasks. It made me wonder exactly how big of a favor Brandon called in to have me work with a family member of McLaren enterprise.

It was almost three in the afternoon when Colin McLaren came into my office. I glanced up from the spreadsheet to see his kind smiling face.

“So,” he started, “...how did you like your first day?”

“Good,” I replied curtly. It had been a while since I talked in anything but short answers.

“That doesn’t sound like it was good.” He chuckled with a little frown.

“It was good,” I attempted to elaborate.

I wasn’t sure if that was a better answer. But it was probably the most I’ve said in one reply in over eight months, if you didn’t count the lashing out at Elise I did earlier in the day.

“You did really well,” he beamed.

I just nodded. I used to take pride in my job, any little task. Now, the words of praise left me feeling flat.

“Eve,” I heard my sister’s voice and she peeked her head at the door.

“You are early,” I commented, glancing at the clock on the wall.

“No,” Colin replied. “I’d say she is right on time.” I frowned trying to remember if anything was said to meet up early.

“Our working hours are eight to three,” he added.

“Isn’t that awesome?” My sister was beaming like she got a job here.

“Yes,” I mumbled, unable to share in her enthusiasm. If she thought it was so awesome, she should really strive for a job here.

“How was your first day, sis?” she asked in a cheerful tone but I sensed her worry underneath it. Her motherly instinct always kicked in around me.

“Good,” I repeated my earlier answer.

Colin chuckled softly. “Well, I’m glad her answers to you are just as to the point as to me.”

The two of them shared a look I couldn’t quite decipher as they smiled.

“Ready?” Elise asked.

I grabbed my purse and made my way out the door and towards the elevator, then stopped abruptly.

My manners! Where did my manners go?

I turned around and saw Elise and Colin were right behind me, keeping up.

“Sorry,” I mumbled to Colin. “I didn’t say bye.”

“That’s quite alright,” he answered goodheartedly. “I am the same way when it’s time to go.”

We stood there in silence. I didn’t know what to do or say. It was pretty apparent my social skills had suffered over the last eight months.

Should I say thank you? I could see he was a kind man, and I didn’t want to seem rude or ungrateful.

“You’ll come back, right?” he asked in a gentle voice, like he was trying to tame a wild animal.

I nodded in reply and my sister added, seeing I’d stay muted. “Yes, thank you so much Colin.” She was her chippery outgoing self. “Same time, right?”

“Yes,” he replied but his eyes were on me. “Have a lovely evening, ladies. Eve, I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

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