Page 37 of Rescued By Midnight

Kim looks and acts like a confident woman. I feel like a clumsy kid.

I am so out of my element with Landon and Cody…and Cody doesn’t even want me around. What the hell am I doing? What about my promise to myself last night, to figure out another place to stay?

“You got quiet all of a sudden,” Landon says as we ride up in the elevator.

“Oh, sorry!” I try to sound perky. “Just lost in my thoughts.”

He looks me up and down with his gray eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” Once we get inside, I add, “I’ll meet you in the kitchen. I just need a quick break, first.”

“See you in a few.” He gives me one last look of concern before heading to the kitchen, where I hear the sound of bags and food containers opening.

I rush into my bathroom and take out my phone. As usual, I’ve missed several calls and texts from Brayden. I scan the texts. There are more about wanting to work things out, more quotes from the Seven Blessed Days wedding vows, and some bullshit about how we can level up together and build that big family I always dreamed of.

I could have the family. I could have a home and get out of Cody’s way.

Okay, I text back. I’m willing to work on us. But I need to see some changes first.

My therapy session with Cammie opened my eyes to how manipulative Brayden can be. We didn’t discuss how I let it happen, but that’s something I’ll talk to her about another time.

Living with Landon and Cody has been allowing an unattainable fantasy to take root in my head. Cody cuddled me the other day, comforting me when I was upset. In what kind of world is that actually possible?

The sooner I can get Brayden to make some changes, the sooner I can go back to him, move home, and reclaim my old life. I send him a list of requirements.

1. You must end things with Jericha. You will likely have to coparent, but that is the only relationship you can have with her.

2. All of her clothing and other belongings must be moved out of the house.

3. We will, separately and then together, go through the Church’s Laws and evaluate them with how they do or do not fit in with our ideal life.

4. We are allowed to be friends with whoever we want to be friends with. I will not be made to feel guilty if I am friends with a man. You are not to feel guilty for being friends with a woman. Jericha, a former sexual partner of yours, is an exception to this rule.

I want to keep the door open for my friendship with Landon and Cody. Maybe neither of them will want that with me, but it hurt a lot when I felt I had to cut them off before Brayden’s and my wedding. I won’t do that again. Not for Brayden. Not for any man.

Not five seconds after I send the text, Brayden writes back. Done. Will you come home now?

He can’t possibly be done. I take a deep breath, searching for patience. I need to see the changes before I come home. I’m not doing this on faith. We need to put in the work, both of us.

Fine. I’ll start working on it right now.

I stare doubtfully at his message. I think I’ve just made a huge mistake.

LANDON - NOW

Cody’s still at the office, likely micromanaging Jordan and Alexei, who can’t seem to stop bickering. I plate up piles of Greek food for Alice and me to take to the living room.

As I round the corner from the kitchen, Alice comes around from the opposite side at the same time. She runs smack into my chest and starts to fall backward. She shrieks in alarm.

I grab her, still holding a plate in my hand, and stabilize her against my body. “I’ve got you.”

She clings to my waist, so close I can feel her breaths matching mine. My cock gives a hopeful twitch at our proximity, but I will it to stand down.

“You’re carrying our food,” Alice says in dismay. “Did I make you spill it?”

“All we lost is a piece of bread.” I grin down at her.

“You’re like some kind of sorcerer.” She smiles, her eyes crinkling at the corners.