Page 93 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

“Stop being a dolt,” she scolded me. I wondered when she became an expert in relationships. “He wants you and you know he does. Allow yourself to see where this marriage goes, especially if he’s onboard.”

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt,” I murmured, although I was scared to get hurt.

“You are being your own worst enemy. Unless you open up to the possibility of falling in love again, you will end up breaking your own heart, Livy.”

Falling in love with Alexander was what I feared but what if Layla was right. We could have a possibility of a good life together, a family. Brandon already adored him and we worked well together. When my temper didn’t flare. But I had to admit that for the most part Alexander with his calm ways grounded me. Not to mention our chemistry was amazing, mind blowing and something I had never experienced before.

“I swear I hear the wheels turning in your head and they are so loud,” Layla’s groans stopped my thinking.

“What have you been up to?” I switched the subjects. “Any more dates with hot and rich men?”

I heard a sigh on the line and made me wonder what was up with that.

“Layla, are you alright?” Although she could be obnoxious, I still loved her and worried about her.

“Yes, all good,” she replied a bit too quickly.

“You know,” I started, feeling guilty I have been wrapped up into myself for the past several weeks. “I am sorry I have been so focused on my life lately. You can always call me and talk to me. And I won’t judge, promise. I just want you to be okay.”

“I know, and you had a lot of stuff dumped on your plate,” she spoke softly. “Thank you for always being there for me and for not judging. I’m just trying to figure some stuff out. But I’m good.”

“I love you,” I told her. She didn’t hear those words from her family but she needed them. “And if someone is making you sad, tell them I’ll kick their butt.”

She chuckled softly. For all Layla’s harsh ways and blunt words she managed to spit out, she probably needed the most attention and love.

“Okay, I look forward to that.”

“Where are you anyhow? In London or Scotland?” It was hard to keep up with Layla’s schedule sometimes.

“I’m coming back to London tomorrow.”

“How did the visit go?” Sometimes I wondered why she went to visit her grandparents when they were so mean to her.

“It went the same as always,” her vague reply told me it wasn’t a good visit. They rarely were.

“I am sorry, Layla,” I spoke softly into the phone. I didn’t want to send her flying on the defense. “You know, you deserve so much better and so much more than them.”

“Maybe.” Her reply made my heart bleed for her. “Are you going to tell me how the court hearing went today? Or leave me in the dark?”

With a deep sigh, I answered. “It went okay.”

“What does that mean?”

“The judge awarded permanent custody to both Alexander and me.” I didn’t want to tell her I was furious about it and scared at the same time. My own emotions made no sense. “Brandon asked to change his last name and Alexander suggested we just add Caldwell to his current last name.”

“That’s great,” she exclaimed, giving me another reason to wonder whether I was worried about nothing. “Isn’t it?”

“I would have preferred the judge awarded it only to me,” I told her in a quiet voice.

“I see.” I wondered what she saw but for some stupid reason I didn’t want to ask her. Layla continued in a low voice, “Livy, the fact that your husband agreed to add his last name to Brandon’s is a huge deal. It shows how much he cares about you and Brandon. It shows his commitment to both of you.”

I couldn’t quite argue about it because I was positive Alexander was very protective of Brandon already.

“Did you have fun hanging out with Maxim and Brandon while I was gone?” I asked her instead.

“Yes, I did. Brandon ruled the days,” she chuckled softly. I noticed she said nothing about Maxim which struck me odd. She always had something to say about men and especially rich, handsome men. As if she knew I thought something was off, she quickly added, “Okay, I better go. I’ll talk to you when I’m back. Love you, Livy.”

“I love you too.” And the line went dead.

---