Page 84 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

With one last kiss, he got into his Land Rover and drove off. I stood there watching after him and felt lonely. I scuffed at that thought. I wanted to be left alone for months and would have probably still been alone had my sister not come and dragged me out of the apartment and practically forced me to get a job. And now I complained about spending a day alone.

I went back inside and checked out the library. Just as I thought, he had it done perfectly and gave me the best location in the library. I had to smile at it. He was my opposite, open, warm, affectionate, and pushy. But pushy in a good way.

Before him, Elise was the only person in the world that I was always comfortable with. Well, Elise and Brandon since he had been around for so long. Lachlan, on the other hand, was open and comfortable with everyone, whether they like it or not.

Satisfied I could tell him I saw the library layout and liked it very much, I rushed into the shower. Fifteen minutes later, I was dressed, trying hard not to pick up a book because I knew I’d lose myself in it for the rest of the day. I grabbed a meal and made sure I ate all of it. I knew I was still a bit on the thin side. After eating, and absorbing the sunshine on the terrace a little, I was at the loss of what to do.

I found myself in the sitting room that was connected to Lachlan’s office. I curiously looked at the pictures, and decoration and naturally couldn’t resist going into his office.

He never said I couldn’t.I thought to myself.And he did say it is our home!

As I tried to absorb all the little things he liked to surround himself with, I felt like I was learning a bit more about my husband. On his desk he had a picture of his parents, I recognized them from pictures Lachlan’s grandfather shared. I picked the fancy frame and studied the man and woman in it. Without my husband and his grandfather watching me, I could spend more time studying them in peace. Lachlan was a mirror image of his father, seemed taller and stronger version but there was no questioning the resemblance. My heart warmed at the thought of growing old with him.

His mother on the other hand, was a petite woman with an abundance of long dark hair. I brought the picture closer to my eyes and noted her olive bronze skin. Lachlan definitely got that from his mother. Even though they were looking at the camera, you couldn’t miss the love between the two. Lachlan’s father had his arm around his wife, his fingers meeting hers on her waist. His body and her body leaned towards each other, as if gravity was pulling them together, and I wondered if they were even aware they were doing it as the picture was being taken. Her other hand was on his thigh, not possessive. It almost seemed as if she was calming him. I gently put the picture down in its spot.

It made me wonder why he married me in such a rush. His parents obviously had a love found in fairy tales. You could tell by the picture they loved each other, I couldn’t imagine how much more evident that was in real life. He grew up seeing that and I would think he’d want it for himself.

I could hear the pain in his voice when he talked about his father and regret that he couldn’t save him. He loved his parents.

I couldn’t remember my dad except for stories Elise told me. I loved him because Elise loved him. Neither Elise nor I loved our mother. She gave her respect. I didn’t think she deserved it so I didn’t even give that. She made our childhood hell with her constant melodramatic breakups, chasing men that were cruel, forgetting to leave food in the fridge for us, or leaving us alone for days without knowing when she’d come back. Thank God, I had Elise. She was the reason I had any childhood. And when she started dating Brandon, she didn’t leave me behind. She ensured I was with them. I will be forever grateful to Brandon for taking care of my sister.

I glanced at his parents one more time. What if I was Lachlan’s reminder of his father he couldn’t save?

Shit, marriage happened too quickly!

The phone rang and startled me out of my thoughts. I glanced around to see where it was but by the time I spotted it, the voicemail machine already kicked in.

“Good God,” I mumbled to myself. “I didn’t think ancient voicemail machines like these were still functional.”

Just as I was getting ready to leave his office, a female voice on the voicemail stopped me dead in my tracks. Layla’s voice. I would recognize it anywhere.

Lachlan, darling. Can’t wait to see you today.

Thank you for meeting me. Just swing by my place.

I stood there frozen, staring at the ancient voicemail machine.

Again. A week into a marriage, and it was happening again. I guess I should be grateful it wasn’t someone close to me. Why did it feel even worse?

Each beat of my heart felt like a painful thud in my chest. Each breath hurt like I was breathing in smoke.

Marriage happened too quickly!

My earlier thought echoed in my mind painfully. I stood there, staring at the voicemail machine blinking, signaling a voicemail. I wanted to smash it, I wanted to scream, but all I did was stand there staring at it as memories came flooding back.

Why did I write and hope for happy endings? I tortured myself.Because I just couldn’t get one.

Before I knew what I was doing, I picked up the phone and dialed Lachlan’s cell phone.

“Hello,” his deep voice echoed through the headset.

“Hi,” my voice sounded strange and distant to my own ears.

“Is everything ok, Eve?” He sounded alarmed.

“Yes, yes. I just wanted to ask if you’ll be home for dinner.”

As I waited for his response, I prayed he’d say yes.

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