Page 70 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

“Lachlan,” I started hesitantly.

He glanced over at me. “Yes, Mrs. McLaren?” His deep voice felt like a caress.

“Do you have a problem with me keeping my publishing name?” I asked softly. “Assuming I ever write another book.”

He remained silent for a few seconds, but those seconds seemed much longer to me. “No,” he responded. “I hope you take my last name in everything else but it is up to you. I don’t mind if you prefer to keep your maiden name.”

Such a different response, it made my heart melt. “I’ll take your name in everything else,” I promised. “I don’t want to decide in a vacuum about my publishing name.”

He nodded in agreement. “I can understand that.”

He leaned over, kissed me on my neck, and murmured, “Mrs. McLaren.”

A wide smile spread on my face. “That’s me.”

When we arrived at the castle, we were greeted by a round of applause.

“Now we are sisters too,” Ainslee exclaimed.

She was chipper happy. My sister and Brandon came over and Brandon congratulated Lachlan while Elise hugged me.

“I can’t believe it,” she muttered. “I am so happy.”

“Thank you, Elise,” I told her quietly. “For everything. I wouldn’t have made it without you.”

She hugged me tighter. “Yes, you would. You are strong.”

“Move over, wife, so I can hug my little sister,” Brandon joked around. “We have a little surprise for you.”

Elise took a sidestep and Brandon hugged me and said, “I’m so happy for you kiddo.”

He knew it drove me nuts when he called me kiddo, but it never stopped him before. He had called me that since he started dating Elise in highschool and I was barely in Kindergarten.

“What’s the little surprise?” I asked him curiously.

“Remember Italy?” he asked with a twinkle in his eyes and I grimaced inwardly.

“No, I don’t,” I lied, hoping he’d drop the subject.

“It’s payback time,” he chuckled. I looked over at my sister and she had a wide grin on her face and she snapped her fingers.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” It was Margaret that spoke at the microphone. “I am so happy to welcome Eve Bailey McLaren to our family.”

Hmmm, I love how that sounded. Good publishing name, I thought to myself.

She continued, “She swept my nephew off his feet from the moment he saw her. May they live all their days full of happiness and love.”

Lachlan pulled me closer to him while everyone cheered.

I wasn’t sure how Brandon found himself next to Margaret but he whispered something to her and she nodded eagerly handing him the microphone.

I looked at him suspiciously, and as soon as he spoke up, I knew he really meant payback.

“Hello everyone,” he started. “I’m Brandon, Eve’s brother-in-law. I’ve known Eve since she was in Kindergarten. She is the sister I never had. I had to chase boys away from her in high school, college, and… Italy!”

I shook my head embarrassed and told him in a slightly elevated voice. “I wish you wouldn’t.”

Well now everyone’s interest was captured.

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