Page 102 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

I heard sobs from the distance and slowly opened my eyes, meeting Alexander’s gaze.

“It’s ok,” he murmured, kissing my cheeks. “It was just a bad dream.”

I blinked, a tear dropped from my eyelashes to my cheek and I reached with my hand to wipe it. Surprised, I found my face wet.

“What happened?” I asked, my voice raspy.

“You had a bad dream,” he pulled me closer to him, his arms making me feel safe.

“He had your eyes, Alexander,” I whispered against his chest, closing my eyes.

It wasn’t a bad dream. It was a memory. It was the last time I saw Mom alive, and raw from the dream and guilt that sat within me for years, I started sobbing against Alexander. I wrapped my arms around him, sobbing against his chest like I had never before, even when I buried my mom.

“Shhhh,” he murmured against my hair, as my body shook in his arms. “It’s ok. I’m here.”

I held on to him, needing his calm, his strength, everything he would give me at that moment. He held me like a child, murmuring comforting words and stroking my hair as I focused on his heartbeat, my cheek against his chest, the repetitive strong beat slowly pulling me back into sleep.

* * *

The next morning,I woke up emotionally drained and alone. The memory of my mom was on the forefront of my mind. I forced myself out of the bed and my eyes darted to my phone that indicated a message. I slowly walked over, and saw it was from Alexander. I swiped it open and had to smile.

*Took Brandon to daycare. Go back to sleep.*

That was incredibly nice of him to let me sleep in. He’d been working late now for days on so he must have been tired too. Especially since I kept him up with my nightmare last night. Just thinking about the dream sent cold shivers down my spine. I didn’t want to lose people I loved and cared about.

I sent off a quick thank you and decided against going back to bed. I took a quick, cool shower, and was in the office at the publishing house by nine.

“Hey, Livy,” Maxim greeted me.

With coffee in my hand, I smiled tiredly at both of them. It was my second one and I was still waiting for it to kick in. Maxim was in his office with his grandfather, and both of their eyes met me.

“You look tired, dear.” His grandfather sounded worried.

“I’m just waiting for the coffee to kick in,” I told them with a weak smile. “Any minute now.”

I continued into my office and dug right into work. When lunch time came about, I didn’t go in search of Maxim. I was meeting Layla.

When I got to the little bistro, she was already waiting for me.

“You look like hell,” she told me as she hugged me then kissed my cheek. “Is Alexander keeping you up all night?”

I shook my head. “Don’t be silly,” I looked at her and noted the dark circles under her eyes. “You don’t look great, either. Are you okay?”

We both sat down and watched each other tiredly. “Of course, I’m alright.”

That meant she wasn’t alright, but I knew if I pushed, she would be more than likely not tell me anything. So we sat there in silence, staring at the menus.

The waiter came over and took our order.

I glanced at her and couldn’t help but comment softly. “Look at us. We are such a mess.”

She met my eyes, and I knew she was having a hard time. Her beautiful blue eyes glistened like crystals.

“Layla,” I spoke softly to her, “if you need anything, let me know. Ok?” She nodded and just as her mouth went to open, a man’s voice had us both turning our heads.

“Hello, Liberty.” Alexander's father was in front of me again.

“Mr. Caldwell,” I murmured in surprise. I didn’t expect to see him again.

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