Page 99 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

“I’m sorry, William. Yes, here is fine,” I told him with a smile. I was excited to sign this deal, to be back to doing what I love. “Do we have a table?”

“Right this way,” he motioned for me to follow.

I turned back to Lachlan and the woman he never introduced. “Nice to see you, Lachlan,” my voice was slightly above the whisper but I knew he heard me.

I followed William and Callen to their table.

“Are you okay?” Callen asked me quietly.

I nodded with a smile. “Yes, all good.”

I turned to William as I sat down. “I am so excited to do this.”

“We are even more excited,” he told me. “You are a big deal to sign to our publishing house.”

I chuckled softly. “Then we are all happy.”

I started reading through the papers to ensure all changes were made.

“William,” I started. “I need to make one more change, please. But I hope we can write it in and initial instead of re-doing all the paperwork.”

“Sure, what is it?”

I scratched my name, Eve Bailey, on the contract and replaced it with ‘Eve Bailey McLaren.’

“Are you sure, Eve?” Callen asked me.

I looked at him pensively. Was it a smart business decision to rebrand? Maybe not. But I’ve never been more sure.

“Yes, I’m sure.” I glanced back at Lachlan's table and caught his eyes on me.

I have never been more sure!

William and Callen signed the contract and I was part of their big publishing house.

“This is an occasion for celebration,” William exclaimed and called the waiter to order champagne.

I laughed at his enthusiasm. “It’s only lunch time, but ok, let’s celebrate.”

All three of us slightly raised our glasses and clinked them.

“To a new beginning and new books!” I muttered wishing Lachlan was part of this table.

I noticed Callen glancing behind me and I followed his gaze just in time to see Lachlan leaving alongside the nameless woman.

Once again, I stared at his strong wide back as he walked away from me. I turned around slightly shaken. Not sure what I hoped for. Maybe that he’d come and sweep me away with him? But that was stupid. He came without me so it was expected he’d leave without me.

Callen’s eyes were watching me carefully and I gave him a little smile. “All good.”

In the following days after seeing Lachlan, the idiot in me hoped he’d swing by or call, anything. But he didn’t. I stopped taking my regular jogging route in the city knowing that it passed by his apartment. Some nights I stared at my cell phone, my finger hovering above his name, wanting to press that call button. But then I’d convince myself that I shouldn’t.

I focused on promoting my book and Callen kept me busy with everything that got crammed into a few weeks. And when the book went live, we were all pulling out our hair, working late hours, sometimes not leaving promoting events till after midnight. The book took off more than any of us imagined. It certainly kept my sorrow at bay. At least during the day!

In the evenings when I was alone, I’d sit on my windowsill with a book and daydream about my husband. If he no longer wanted me, I was sure divorce papers would follow and I was trying to mentally prepare for it.

It had been two weeks since I’d seen Lachlan at the restaurant. Tonight was my final promotional event this year with Christmas right around the corner. I still hadn’t decided whether I’d just go back to Maryland to spend it with Elise and Brandon. I’d been debating going back to the States permanently. I’d been talking to Elise about different possibilities. I’d still come back to Scotland for various events and when doing business with Callen’s publishing company, but truthfully, there was no need to stay here. I wanted to stay for Lachlan but I started to worry I’d be feeding impossible illusions and dreams.

“Okay everyone,” I heard the speaker announce. “We are ready for any questions you have for Eve Bailey McLaren. Let’s give her a round of applause.”

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