Page 38 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

From the corner of my eye, I saw an expensive vehicle with a driver that looked vaguely familiar standing by. He tilted his head in greeting and I nodded back.

As Callen and I walked by, the door of the car opened and to my shock, Alexander Caldwell stepped out.

I watched him, both my brain and body were too tired and numb to think of what to say. We stood there, eyes locked on each other. He really had the most beautiful eyes, I could drown in them. I had the strangest impulse to go to him and beg him to wrap his arms around me. I just needed someone to hold me together even if it was for a moment.

“Hello, Liberty.” His voice washed over me like a calm sea. I continued watching him, drinking his calm in like it was the last drop of water I’d ever get.

“Hello,” I whispered.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” he spoke softly. “I hope you don’t mind, I waited for you. I wanted to let you and Brandon have some time alone.”

I shook my head, my nose getting stuffy again from holding back the tears. Brandon picked up his head off my shoulder to look at him.

“Hello,” Brandon greeted him. “I saw you before.”

Alexander spoke softly to him. “Hello, Brandon. I’m Alexander.”

Brandon watched him for a few seconds. “Are you Livy’s friend?”

To my shock, Alexander nodded.

Suddenly remembering Callen standing next to me, I introduced him. “This is Callen McLeod,” I told Alexander. “Callen, this is Alexander Caldwell, my boss.”

They shook their hands, and while Callen remained watching Alexander, Alexander’s eyes returned to me.

“Can I give you a ride back home?” His offer was generous, but I didn’t think either Brandon or I were in the mood for company.

“We won’t be going back for refreshments,” I mumbled. “We are going back to my place.”

“In that case,” he suggested, “I can offer you a ride back to your place.”

“Ok,” Brandon answered him and surprised me by wiggling out of my arms and slid onto the ground, walking over to Alexander. He took Alexander’s big hand with his little one and I wondered what made him so comfortable with him. He’d been avoiding everyone for days, including Layla, and stuck to me alone. He ignored Callen, but responded to Alexander.

I glanced hesitantly at Callen. I didn’t want to be rude, but I also didn’t want to have a blast with the past. I was too tired to handle it.

“I don’t want to hold you up,” Callen spoke up quickly and stepped towards me, wrapping his arms around me. His embrace felt familiar and alien at the same time. “If you need me, please call me. I’ll do anything to help.”

I nodded, but couldn’t find strength to say anything.

“Livy,” Callen started and I watched him, waiting. He lifted his hand and brushed his finger across my cheek. “Get some rest.”

He said goodbye and walked away. I knew with certainty I would never call him for help. I watched him walk away and Lena’s words came back again.

I swore I could almost hear her voice carried on the breeze,You need someone that will consume you, Livy.

I wished she was here so I could tell her she was right. I wished she was here so I could beg her to stay with Brandon and me.

I turned tiredly to Alexander, who was watching me with a guarded expression while Brandon held his hand, focused on his fancy car.

“Thank you for taking us home,” I mumbled while Alexander held the door open to his expensive car and motioned for me to go in.

As I slid in, Brandon followed and sat on my lap. I closed my eyes for a moment as we sunk into the soft leather.

Alexander sat next to me, his leg brushing against mine. An electric current shot through me and my body felt some comfort in that small contact. I stared at the spot where our legs touched, his leg in an expensive suit and my leg bare except my black dress that came to my knees. I wanted to press my body against him, and ask him for the comfort I needed.

I shook my head and caressed Brandon’s hair.

Brandon pulled on my arm. “Livy, who was that man?”

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