Page 30 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

Chapter Nine

Friday after we went over the production reports, Lachlan and I packed it up to leave work.

The weather was beautiful, not too hot but not chilly either. We walked a block in silence, his hand on the small of my back. I regretted it was the weekend because I wouldn’t see him till Monday, which was ridiculous. I’ve known Lachlan for less than a week, but in that week I found moments of contentment with him, almost happiness. It was something I thought I’d never experience after the last ten months.

There was just something about him that soothed me. Over the week, thoughts of Hunter and Lachlan's resemblance slipped from my mind. Now when I looked to Lachlan, he was the only man I could see.

Lachlan was strong, calm, and easygoing. Although at times I saw hot intensity in his gaze, my body seemed to welcome it. All of him, which was mind boggling. In a span of a week, I had come to like both our silent walks and conversations.

“Want to try a different restaurant tonight?” His voice startled me and he must have felt my body jump. “Whoa,” he added smiling. “Did I scare you?”

I shook my head with a small smile.

“No, no,” I quickly tried to convince him. “I was just lost in space.”

“Did that space have food?” he asked teasingly. “Because I’m hungry as a wolf.”

“So you want to try a different restaurant tonight?”

“I thought you probably must be tired of the same scenery,” he suggested.

I shook my head. “No, not at all. But if you like to try something new, I’m fine with it too.”

I liked our dinners together but it gave off the appearance of somewhat dating. Although we weren’t. I offered to pay alternating dinners, but he wouldn’t hear it. All in all, we had something odd going on but I didn’t mind it. On the contrary, I enjoyed it very much.

“Ok then, my darling,” Lachlan said. “We’ll eat at the same restaurant.”

I chuckled. “Don’t let me twist your arm,” I joked. “Didn’t you tell me it is your favorite restaurant?”

“Yes, it is,” he confirmed. “I just don’t want to burn you out on the same menu and then you’ll refuse to eat with me there.”

“I’m fine with it,” I told him. “I’ve never been much for food, as long as it’s nutritious.”

“Until you ate at this restaurant,” he observed. “Now I think you enjoy at least some of it.”

I nodded. “Yes, I do.”

We got our regular seat and I wondered if they kept this table open just for Lachlan. It had the best view over the city and the river.

He ordered appetizers for both of us and main course meals. I kept telling him to surprise me so now he didn’t even bother asking me and just selected what he thought I would like. I couldn’t read the menu so that was perfectly fine with me. And he always picked the right food.

He had a glass of scotch while I enjoyed my glass of sparkling water. I felt better, probably best since the loss of my baby. I frowned not wanting to take my mind there. I focused on the river and the beautiful sight.

Lachlan was talking to the waiter in Gaelic as I continued admiring the view. I noticed a man walking along the dock, and he caught my eyes. He looked sad and lost, and I just couldn’t look away from him. He stood at the edge of the banks as if admiring the river.

He took another step closer, where he practically teetered on the edge of the bank and I sat up straight. I could recognize the look of desperation that slowly crept along the lines of his forehead and the way his eyes frantically searched the water before him as if it held all the answers. I'd once had that same look as I'd held the weighted blade in my hand and watched the light glint off the metal before bringing to my wrists and making those incisions.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away. He stared and stared, and my breathing became heavier and heavier.

“Eve,” Lachlan asked but I couldn’t tear my gaze away. “Are you alright? You look pale.”

I was scared if I glanced away from the figure even for a moment, he’d slip into the river. The despair from that man, I could almost feel it although we were many feet apart. It was in his posture, his every step, his demeanor.

“That man,” I started but I didn’t know what to say.

Lachlan turned his head to glance back, and at the same moment, the figure jumped into the water, his body disappearing under the water, and the current carrying him away fast down the river.

I heard voices yelling, but it all seemed miles and miles away. I stared in a trance where the man stood just a moment ago. Flashes of my own attempt infiltrated my mind.

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