All that was going to change soon. Braxton’s custody battle was nearing the end, which meant they’d just need a final visit from a social worker and then they’d be free of this mess. Alissa’s parents weren’t satisfied when they’d heard Braxton had married Paisley. That much had been evident during their horrible day in court.
Now, months later, she couldn’t help but wonder what would become of their quasi relationship once their legal battle was over. She was unable to imagine that Braxton would ask her to leave his home but would he seek a divorce?
“Lunch?”
Paisley startled. She’d been so lost in her mind that she hadn’t heard Paxton enter her office and take a seat at her desk.
“You look a little preoccupied there, sister.”
Paisley shook her head, attempting to clear the fog that had been clouding her thoughts. “Sorry. Just wondering what will happen next week at the hearing.”
Paxton leaned forward, placing his elbows on her desk. He tilted his head toward where Emmy was tugging at her sock and chewing on her own fist. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. You and Braxton provide everything that little girl over there needs.”
Paisley sighed. “I know that. I’m not worried about the court or the social worker. I’m worried—“
“About Braxton.”
Paisley stared at her brother in shock. “How did you know?”
Her brother reached across the desk for her hand. “We share the same DNA. I know what you think before you do. Plus, I’ve known you’ve had a thing for him since we were kids.”
Paisley’s brows rose as her eyes widened. Had she heard her brother correctly? He’d been onto her little secret all this time. Her chest tightened, had Braxton known as well. She’d be mortified if he had actually known of her feelings and never returned them.
“Relax.” Paxton interrupted her thoughts. “He has no idea. He’s oblivious to it and always has been.”
Paisley's brows scrunched together.
“I told you, I know what you’re thinking.”
“Go.” Paisley pointed toward the door. “I don’t know who you are or what you’ve done with my brother, but you are not welcome here, you alien being.”
Paxton chuckled before standing and slapping his palms on her desk. “All kidding aside, let's have lunch.”
Braxton glanced at his watch for the tenth time in the last hour. Paisley and Paxton had left more than sixty minutes ago for lunch. They’d taken Emmersyn with them but he was getting worried as to why they hadn’t returned yet. He’d tried calling them several times, but neither of them had answered. He had no idea where they’d run off to and rarely worried about Emmersyn, but that was probably because he normally knew where she was at all times and that she was safe.
He wasn’t worried that Paisley wouldn’t protect her. He was sure she would. What he couldn’t handle was not discerning where either of them was. This sense of loss was new to him, but he didn’t have time to analyze it now. He just needed to figure out how to find them. He was about to start calling every hospital in the vicinity when Paisley and Paxton’s voices echoed from down the hall.
Braxton saw the stroller pass his door before he caught a glimpse of his best friends, but neither of them stopped at his office. They continued to walk past without giving him a second thought. Braxton’s blood pumped fiercely through his body. His pressure rising as his anger built. How dare they ignore him after being gone for hours with his child? When he couldn’t take it anymore, he marched from his office to Paisley’s.
Paxton sat in the chair in front of her desk as Paisley placed Emmersyn in her crib.
“What the fuck?” Braxton called out as he entered Paisley’s office. “Are your phones broken or something?”
Paisley's head snapped in his direction.
Paxton quickly rose from his chair. “Excuse me? What the hell is your problem? You haven’t called me once.” He glanced over to his sister. “Did your phone ring?”
Paisley walked over to her desk and reached into the drawer. “I don’t know; my phone isn’t in my bag.” She shuffled the papers around on her desk and found the cellular device underneath a contract she was working on. “Oops. Looks like I left it behind. I’m sorry, Braxton.”
Braxton turned to Paxton. “Did you leave your phone on your desk as well?”
Paxton dug in his pocket, pulling out his mobile and showing it to Braxton. “Nope. Mine is right where it was ten minutes ago when I took a call from a client.” He made a point of checking his call history and showing Braxton. “No missed calls from you, brother.”
Braxton opened his call log to show Paxton the ten calls he’d placed to him over the last hour and thirty minutes, and shoved it in his face.
Paxton took the phone from Braxton and glanced at it before tossing it back. “You called my office phone, asshole. Now apologize to your wife for your misplaced anger.”
“She’s not my wife. Our family is a joke.” Braxton immediately regretted the words the moment he’d let them spew out. He had been angry, and he hadn’t thought it through before he’d responded.
Paxton’s fist flew through the air, connecting with Braxton’s face. He stumbled backward, trying to right himself from the blow.
“If I ever hear you say that again, you can consider this partnership over, along with our friendship.” Paxton marched toward Paisley’s door but stopped just before he exited. “She may not be the woman you chose as your wife, but
