Page 59 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

He was giving in on everything. He must want his grandfather’s publishing company really bad. So why did I still hesitate?

Ugh, I wish I didn’t feel cornered or rushed. I need Lena’s advice.

I wanted to talk it over with my sensible sister. I missed hearing her voice and her reason as she helped guide me through hard decisions. A deep sigh left me with a heavy heart; I would never hear her voice again nor her reason. My sounding board was gone in a blink of an eye, leaving me all alone in the world.

Not alone. I had Brandon, and he had me.

Although I didn’t want to admit it to myself, there was still a dreamer in me who wanted to get swept off my feet, fall in love and have a beautiful romantic wedding with the man who would love me and I would love him. Callen didn’t kill that dream.

I was doing the right thing though. Brandon depended on me, and Lena would have done the same for me if roles were reversed. I loved Brandon and couldn’t bear not to have him in my life.

Damn it, I wished there was another way!

Instinctively, I knew Alexander could be dangerous for my self-preservation. I fantasized about him too much already.

I put my phone down and went to take a shower, hoping for some tension relief. Life was just too complicated at the moment and I couldn’t stand it.

After the shower, as I got into bed with my book, I glanced at the clock. It was past ten at night. I grabbed my cell phone with determination. There was no sense in delaying it, there was no other miracle happening. It was a miracle he presented himself as a savior.I’m doing it for Brandon.

*Yes to the suggestion.*

I had no idea what else to say so I just clicked send and picked up the book, craving at least some way to get lost in the world that was less complicated and had a guaranteed happy ending. Because my gut feeling was telling me that Alexander Caldwell was dangerous for my heart and soul.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Liberty

The next morning, Brandon and I got up and followed our usual routine, but when we got to his daycare he just refused to go in. His lip would quiver every time I tried to convince him he must go in there. When I saw his big baby blue eyes shining with tears, I finally gave up. I didn’t have the heart to force him, so with his hand in mine, we started walking to the Caldwell building while I made a quick call to his daycare, letting them know Brandon wouldn’t be in today.

I glanced at Brandon and noted he was back to his own happy self. It made me feel better that he wasn’t upset anymore, but I also realized I couldn’t have him at work with me all day. He’d be bored out of his mind and I wasn’t sure if I could get my job done when he was there.

“Brandon,” I started as we continued walking. “I have to work all day.”

He promptly nodded, and I continued. “I’ll have to see if Layla can watch you, at least for half a day. I have a lot to do today and I don’t want you to be bored. Ok?”

He nodded seriously and replied, “I promise I’ll keep my indoor voice.”

I gently squeezed his hand in thanks and dialed Layla. The phone kept ringing and ending up in the voicemail. I tried one more time and still ended up in the voicemail box.

With the deep breath to calm my nerves, we continued walking. Alexander never replied to my text. I was nervous about what that meant and questioning whether he changed his mind. I couldn’t even envision how we’d pull this off. It seemed surreal that we’d actually do this. I was questioning my sanity, and Alexander’s.

As we entered the Caldwell’s building, I had a few curious glances thrown my way, but thankfully, nobody said a word. They have seen Brandon here before but it still seemed to attract the attention every time. For some odd reason, I knew with certainty that Alexander wouldn't object that I’d brought Brandon along today when I explained why.

Once we got to my desk, I pulled up an extra chair and sat him next to me. True to his word, he went straight to his coloring activity while I went through my emails and started answering them.

We were both lost in our own activity when my desk phone rang and we both jumped by the sudden noise.

“Hello,” I answered the phone quickly although I knew it would be Alexander. He was the only one that called me on it.

“Come in here,” he demanded, and before I could even answer, he hung up. My blood pressure went up instantly at his demand.Was it really so hard to add please to your requests?

“Stay here, Brandon,” I told him. “I will be in Mr. Alexander’s office. Ok?”

He nodded and continued his coloring.

I grabbed my cell phone, not wanting to miss Layla’s return call, and I marched into Alexander’s office, annoyed he was ordering me around.

I opened the door and before I could open my mouth, he beat me to it.

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