Page 68 of Just Desserts

"Well don't bury the lead, what did you find? Anything that puts Isla at risk?"

"Not physically, but perhaps emotionally. I had to make copies while I was there so I could leave the originals but start here and swipe through." He said passing a tablet to me.

Reluctantly I took it from him and looked at the first image. It was a photo of Alyssa looking beat up, I stared at Sully with horror.

"Just swipe, we'll talk when you get through it all." I swallowed down the anxiety pooling in my stomach and did as he said.

Image after image of Alyssa and Jonathan together in compromising positions slid across my screen. Towards the end there were video clips filled with sex and drugs, the only thing missing was rock and roll. The last photo had me dropping the tablet onto the desk.

The sonogram with Alyssa's name on it had my heart racing. Besides the implication of what this would do to Isla, I couldn't help but feel abject fear at the idea of those two procreating. Alyssa clearly needed serious psychological help and according to Sully, Jonathan was doing a solid job of drinking himself into an early grave. Dear god, they were going to bring a child into that mess?

"What do we do?" I asked Sully in a stunned voice. I had no idea what to do with any of this, all I wanted to do was erase the images from my mind.

"Not much we can do, keep an eye on them and maybe prepare your girl about the pregnancy, if it's true that is. The other stuff, maybe you let me keep that in the vault if either of them start any trouble down the line."

"What, like revenge porn? Sully, come on."

"I know what's legal and what's not. Trust me to do the right thing with it, if a time comes when we need it. Don't forget we have evidence of Jonathan taking drugs, he could lose his ability to practice in this state if that got out." He said, frowning at me.

"Okay, and what did you mean byif it's true?You don't think Alyssa is pregnant?" I asked him, my mind struggling to wrap around all of this information.

"I wouldn't take anything that woman says or does at face value. There were still tampons at her house, no prenatal vitamins and I couldn't find any record of an OBGYN visit. All I'm saying is the biggest mistake we could make would be to underestimate Alyssa. That is one crazy train that inevitably headed for a major crash and burn."

"You're right. Jesus, I hope she's faking it. I hate the fucker but I wouldn't wish a child with Alyssa upon anyone."

Nodding in agreement, Sully reached over and took the tablet from me.

"Look, don't worry about anything right now. They haven't reached out to you or Isla and we've got the bakery covered. I'm going through the footage to make sure we document any time Alyssa's vehicle is present. Just watch over your girl and keep an eye out."

"Yeah, shit I have to head out. I have a dinner reservation for Isla and I at the new Mediterranean restaurant that opened on Main."

"Look at you whipping out the big guns, trying to impress her?" Sully said with a smirk.

"Absolutely. Laugh all you want now big guy, I can't wait to see the woman who takes you down." I said as I slipped my jacket on and gathered the rest of my stuff.

"Yeah, like that's gonna happen. I like being alone, it suits me. I don't need a woman."

"Sure, whatever you say." I laughed, eyeing him from the side as we walked through the lobby.

Sully had never been big on relationships, he had casual dalliances with a woman or two over the years but I never met them. He kept that part of his life private and I never felt the need to pry. That didn't mean I wasn't interested in who it would take to break through that tough loner vibe he was clinging to. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

"Get the fuck out of here and go bug your girlfriend instead of me." Sully barked.

With a laugh I slapped him on the back as a goodbye and then headed out the front door while Sully returned to the security room. There was no time to waste thinking about Sully's love life though, I had a girl to impress.

Chapter 48

Isla

As September neared, event planning was in full gear. If I wasn't at the bakery I was at the hotel or Myles' house. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, I was enjoying every second. I had introduced Grams to Sarah and they were getting along famously. I'm not sure why I was included in their planning sessions when the two of them had everything under control.

Half their meetings weren't even about the Gala, they just liked an excuse to join forces and tease me mercilessly. Sarah had even invited Jen to come and help and now she was a frequent addition to the party planning or just there for the gossip. Grams and Jen were always close, and I was grateful that all three women got along so well.

Which is how I wound up at the hotel spa with Grams, Sarah and Jen on a Wednesday instead of working on the raffle prizes like we had originally planned. The four of us were seated side by side getting pedicures while Grams and Sarah scrolled through dress options. I smiled, overjoyed to see all of them together. Grams never had trouble making friends but it meant the world to me that she was able to seamlessly integrate Myles and Sarah into her world.

Whenever Grams came to the hotel to check in on planning, whether I was there or not, Myles always made a point to come out and greet her. They had more meals together than he and I did at this point. They saw each other so often one might as well consider them going steady. I couldn't complain, Gramswas elated, she loved Myles and was having the time of her life planning this party.

Meanwhile, everything about Myles was thrilling. I have never felt so connected, so seen by someone. While it made me feel incredibly vulnerable, it was both liberating and scary. He met me when I was at my lowest but the way he looks at me has never changed. He makes me feel visible in a way I had never felt before. Whenever we were in a room together his attention was palpable. He was always touching me, whether it was a hand on my back or an arm draped around my shoulders, Myles never seemed settled until I was in his arms.

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