Page 47 of Just Desserts

"Nope. Just have a seat, feel free to check out the TV and find something to watch."

I got the coffee pot setup then turned it on when a low whistle echoed through the apartment.

"This is a sweet set up you got over here. Was this Wes's doing? You have all of the sports stations." I laughed at his awed expression.

"Yeah, Uncle Charlie and Wes insisted on getting me a TV so I let them pick it out and set it up. They've probably used itmore than me honestly. I tend to just watch TV in bed when I'm home, I don't spend all that much time out here." I said frowning as I realized that.

I was quickly distracted as Myles pulled me down to sit next to him on the couch. We agreed on a new action movie and settled in to watch. We were cuddling on the couch, half watching the movie half making fun of it when my phone started ringing. I went to send the call to voicemail but hesitated when I saw it was Lydia.

"It's my lawyer I have to get this, sorry." I said sliding out from under Myles' arm and grabbing the phone.

"Lydia! Hi!" I jumped up from the couch and started pacing, my nerves getting the best of me. Lawyers don't call on the weekend unless it's bad right?

"Hey Isla. I can hear it in your voice, you're panicking so stop." A whoosh of air rushed out of me at her reassurance.

"Oh, okay, good. So, uhm what is going on then?" I asked, unable to stop my pacing.

"I'm calling to finally give you some good news. We had a new judge assigned to the case and he made sure no further adjournments will be granted. So the court date is set, there's no way Jonathan can wiggle out of it this time. We're going for a full 50% split of assets, specifically the house. There's nothing for you to do but show up at court."

A weight was lifted off me, it felt like I could take a deep breath for the first time since this all started. It was finally happening, I was finally getting free from Jonathan.

"That's great Lydia, thank you so much. For everything, and for calling me to tell me on a Sunday."

"Of course dear, us women need to be there for each other. Now, if you bring some pastries the next time you come by my office I wouldn't be upset."

"That I can definitely do." I replied with a chuckle.

"Fantastic. Enjoy the rest of your weekend Isla, I'll talk to you soon."

"You too Lydia, enjoy the rest of your day!" I collapsed back onto the couch as I hung up and closed my eyes.

"Isla? Honey? What did she say, is everything alright?" I looked up to find Myles crouched on the floor in front of me, his worried face close to mine as he braced his hands on either side of my thighs. I couldn't help but smile big, dropping my phone. I slid my hands around his neck and leaned my forehead against his.

"More than alright. The divorce proceedings are finally moving forward, we have a court date set that Jonathan can't change. I think it's going to be over soon, finally."

I felt Myles hands slide from my thighs to wrap around my back pulling me further into his body. I took a deep breath, letting his scent calm me.

"That's good darling, really good." He said against my hair. I pulled on his arms, urging him off the ground and back onto the couch. Once he was settled I curled up into his side. He put his arm around me and kissed the top of my head. The rest of the afternoon went by in a peaceful blur of watching movies, eating pizza and falling asleep entwined in each other's arms on the couch.

Chapter 33

Myles

Consciousness seeped in slowly as I adjusted to my foreign surroundings. It was warm and there was a soft weight on top of me. I opened my eyes and was greeted with the top of Isla's head curled against my chest.

We had fallen asleep on her couch and sometime during the night Isla had migrated until she was basically laying on top of me. She was so short that even with her head on my chest I could feel her toes on my calves. I wrapped her up in my arms and resettled myself, enjoying the feeling of having her this close.

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life. Just the simple pleasure of unrestricted time with Isla, seeing her so free and comfortable was amazing. Between the visit to her Grams and the call from her lawyer she was fairly glowing. Selfishly, I was thrilled about the legal update. I hated that she was still married, Jonathan was an albatross around her neck.

Looking around the apartment, I frowned at how bare it was. My girl had personality, her bakery was full of it from what she cooked to each design detail. This apartment with its half done rooms felt like a metaphor for her current state. Stuck, unsure of where to go. I wanted her to get that confidence back.

It was there, she had everything she needed to thrive on her own, but she didn't have to. She had me, she had her family, she had Sarah and Sully too. In a short time she had managedto win the hearts and devotion of almost everyone she came in contact with. That Jonathan and Alyssa would abuse that so easily disgusted me. I felt Isla stirring and looked down to watch her.

She was slow to rise, hiding her face in my chest before peeking an eye out to process her surroundings. Like a wary kitten, her movements were adorable. I sat up keeping her on top of me and adjusting until we were sitting with her in my lap. Her eyes got big at the movement but quickly settled once I resituated us. She leaned into me and closed her eyes again murmuring good morning.

"Morning sweetheart, how are you feeling?" I asked as I rubbed my chin against her hair.

"Tired. Need coffee. Too bright." I laughed at her broken sentences.

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