Page 40 of Yours, Always
“Oh God no. He’s like my brother!”
“You would’ve said that about Greyson, once upon a time.”
“No, he was never like a brother. And we’re not talking about me anymore.”
“You’re right, we’re not.” They both turned back to Devlin. “Have you guys talked since you moved here?” Annabelle continued without waiting for Devlin to answer. “You have one night of okay sex then you move to his hometown. That would seem strange to any guy. What did you say when you saw each other here?”
“To be fair,” Devlin said, “I didn’t know he lived here, I assumed he lived in Boston. It was serendipitous that I ended up in Amber Falls. It was the only small town I found with decent property for my business, and trust me, I searched. I’d already made the decision to move from Boston before I met Gabe, and when I found Amber Falls it seemed so”—she sought the right word—“safe. And the rest is history.”
“So, what did he say when he saw you?” she asked the question again of Devlin, noticing she hadn’t answered Annabelle.
Devlin seemed embarrassed. “I ran into him one day, we talked and decided what happened between us was in the past and it would be easiest if we just moved on from it.”
“I can’t wait to see the look on his face when we ask him about it,” Annabelle said. “Come to think of it, you’re never in the same place at the same time. Are you avoiding him?”
“Oh, please, you guys, don’t say anything,” Devlin pleaded, coming to her knees. “Amber Falls is my fresh start. I don’t want, or need, anything from my life in Boston to be a part of my life in Amber Falls.”
Prudence shot a quick glance at Annabelle who imperceptibly shook her head. There was more to Devlin’s story, but clearly she wasn’t ready to share. Not tonight.
“You have our word, Devlin.” Prudence reached out to take one of Devlin’s hands on an impulse. Devlin squeezed it hard, then let go, shaking her head, as if clearing away memories that weren’t welcome.
“Thanks, guys. Hey—are you working on the Bee float tomorrow?”
Annabelle nodded. “Yep, I wasn’t going to, but the Marquis wants everyone there to help. You wanna come?”
“I wish I could, but I’ve got the shop to myself. Come on by and I’ll donate coffees, though. I think you’ll need all the caffeine you can get. But now,” she said with a devilish grin, “I want to hear more about these sex swings Sebastian has.”
Chapter Nineteen
Prudence needed the coffee Devlin had offered last night, and she needed it badly. Makeup-free and rubbing her eyes, she pulled open the door of Books and Beans. Devlin was currently alone in the shop, bright eyed and smiling. It was almost like Devlin hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol last night.
“How do you not have a hangover, Devlin?” Prudence complained, holding her head to ward off the loud bell chiming above the door. It was a cheerful chime one day and a head piercing ping the next.
“Oh, I’m hung over,” Devlin confided. “But as part of owning a coffee shop I’m not allowed to be anything but awake and cheerful.” She smiled extra wide for emphasis. “Coffee shop creed.”
“I don’t remember the last time I drank so much wine.” Prudence slumped onto a stool, propping her chin in her hand.
“You also probably don’t remember the last time you made out with a movie star who then forgot he made out with you.”
“Oh, God.” Prudence groaned. “Why did you have to remind me?”
Devlin reached over and patted Prudence’s shoulder across the counter. “It’s not likely you’re ever going to forget, my dear,” she said, with sympathy.
“No, I won’t.” She sat in silence for a moment then straightened. “And tomorrow, I’ll make damn sure he remembers everything.” She thought better of sitting so fast and put her head into her hands with a moan. “But first I have to get through making this damned float today.”
Devlin pulled out a bottle of aspirin from under the counter and offered it to Prudence. “Here you go. This plus caffeine will make everything better. Another tenant of the coffee shop creed.”
“Thanks, Dev. I’ll have that delicious CinnaBun Latte. Everyone else can get black.”
Devlin laughed. “That’s the spirit. How many?”
Prudence counted on her fingers. “Annabelle, Sebastian, Marcie, Pete and Mary. Five black should do it.”
“Black for Sebastian, too? Are you sure?”
“I’m in no mood to find out what that man wants to drink. Annabelle likes it black, so that’s what everyone else gets. You can throw in some cream and sugar if you’re feeling especially generous.”
“No Greyson today, huh?”