Page 40 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

“I would love to,” Alexander answered. “Thank you for inviting me.”

Brandon nodded seriously.

The driver opened the door and Alexander got out first, reaching his hand to help me. I placed my hand into his, and again, I felt a jolt of electricity run through me. I hurriedly stepped out of the car and pulled my hand out of his, rubbing it against my dress while reaching for Brandon with my other hand.

As soon as Brandon was out of the car, he ran up our little steps of the row home and waited impatiently by the door.

“House is a mess,” I warned Alexander as we walked in and his hand was on the small of my back. “We are in the midst of moving stuff between homes and making a bedroom for Brandon.”

“He’ll live with you?” He seemed surprised when I nodded but said nothing else on the matter.

I put my purse on the hallway bench. The hallway felt so much smaller with Alexander at my back.

“We should probably hang out in the kitchen or living room, everywhere else is filled with boxes.” I watched his curious gaze soak it all in, glancing around. I wondered how he saw the place. I had bookshelves everywhere, open books here and there. Pictures of my mom and Lena decorated shelves too, capturing memories we had throughout our life together. I had no doubt this looked like a shack compared to wherever he lived, but I loved my little cottage. It was cozy and peaceful.

“I’m going to shoot a quick message to Layla so she knows not to expect us and I’ll be right with you.”

He nodded and continued watching everything around. Brandon came running down the stairs and straight into Alexander.

“Want to see the room Livy is making for me?” he asked.

Seeing Alexander smile at Brandon and nod made me melt a bit, rethinking my dislike for him. What was it about him that constantly set me off? Although today it didn’t seem to be the case. That alone probably spoke volumes about my state of mind.

As soon as I shot off the message to Layla, I went into the kitchen and made some coffee for Alexander, hot chocolate for Brandon, and tea for me.

I felt Alexander in the kitchen and knew he was right behind me without turning around. I could feel him, his heat.

“Need any help?” he asked and I felt hairs on my back tingling at his closeness. I glanced behind me at him and smiled.

“No, I got it all.” My voice came out a bit raspy, but I decided I could give myself a break. It’d been a rough week. “Sit down and relax.”

He sat down and watched me get it all together and bring it to the table. I peeked through the door and saw Brandon in the living room, playing with his toys.

“Who wants hot chocolate?” I asked and his head whipped around.

“I do, I do,” he raised his hand.

“C’mon, then,” I urged him softly. “Before it becomes cold chocolate.”

I sat opposite Alexander, but it was still too close.

All three of us sat in silence, a mug held between our hands and I noticed that all of us held our mugs exactly the same. I caught Alexander’s eyes and smiled. I didn’t know how I even had it in me to smile, to talk, to function. Brandon was probably my reason for keeping it together. Probably the way Mom kept it together for Lena and me.

“Livy?” Brandon's voice had me turning my eyes to him.

“Yes, baby.”

“Will your friend come back?” he asked.

I looked at him confused. “What friend?”

“The man who hugged you,” he replied, his eyes filled with worry.

“Callen?” He continued watching me, his lip slightly trembling. “No, I don’t think so. What’s the matter?” Utterly confused, I reached out to pull him into a hug.

“Don’t leave me, Livy,” he mumbled into me, his voice muffled.

My heart lurched. I took his little face into my hands and looked at him. His blue eyes glistened with tears that threatened to spill any second. “I promise, I will never leave you,” I choked out. My emotions were raw. “Why would you think that, baby?”

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