“No, I need to return April’s car and take Milo out for her. You, however, might think about putting some pants on.” I smirk as he glances down.
“Right. I have a debriefing after my detail.” He hands me a key out of the Minion cookie jar. “Here, don’t lose it.” He opens the window and Mecca’s pussy goes sauntering up the fire escape.
“Eat up.” He nods to the omelet he plated moments ago.
“Yes, sir.” I salute him as he jogs past me to the bedroom to get dressed.
A minute later he breezes into the kitchen smelling too damn good as he always has, dressed in dark jeans and a grey Henley.
“I can’t help with a phone until tomorrow, but we’ll get you taken care of. I should be home by two then we can head over to Ma’s together.” Dinner with his family is innocent enough but his Ma has always
been able to see through me. She knows I am secretly in love with her son, no matter how much I fight it. Mrs. Sullens warned me years ago that I had better not hurt him. Hurting Dev is the last thing I want to do; it’s why I stay away.
“Sounds good.”
With a feather light kiss to my temple, he’s out the door, and I am left alone with my thoughts. Did he really offer for me to move in last night? Is he crazy? I love the guy to death, but we’ll kill each other. However, on the other hand, where else will I go? I know I could crash with April, but if Randy pops the question…they’ll be moving in together I’m sure. There is no way I am going back home to Kentucky and proving my mom right. She never wanted me to move so far from home. She has never believed in me.
Finishing my breakfast, I head off to April’s apartment to check on Milo.
When I arrive, the little nerd is scratching at the door dying to be taken out.
“Good morning, Milo. Auntie Fifi will take you out as soon as she’s washed her face.”
I grab my bag from the floor where I left it last night. Dashing to the bathroom, I am eager to be out of this dress and forget my interview from last night.
I’ll grab a shower after I take the dog out.
By the time I’ve gotten the dog walked, taken a shower, and stopped by my shitty apartment to change, it’s time to meet with Dev to go to his mom’s. Mrs. Sullens is a trip. The woman is the mother everyone wished they had growing up. She lives to take care of her family. She doesn’t mind telling you exactly what she thinks either.
Devlyn leans against his 1985 silver Chevy Impala, dressed the same as this morning, only adding a brown leather jacket to the mix. I giggle as I walk toward him. He appears as though he’s stepped out of a 1980s police movie, minus the thick porn star mustache that was popular back then.
With his hands tucked in his pockets, he grins at me. I have to admit, he has an alluring smile. When he pops those dimples out, I don’t understand how any woman could resist his charm. I don’t understand how the guy is still single in a city as large as New York.
My heart aches a little, wishing I could see him as more than my friend…wishing I could let myself go there with him. Dev is the sexiest man I know on the outside and inside as well.
“Your chariot awaits.” His hand leaves his pocket and runs through his dark hair.
My mind flashes to the night we tried to give things a shot, and I remember how silky his russet hair felt under my fingers. My cheeks flame in embarrassment. I don’t know where the memory came from. I keep that night buried deep in the vault. Entertaining such thoughts will ruin everything we have.
Opening the door for me, Dev tells me how gorgeous I am even though we both know I appear hungover, because I am. He is always such a gentleman. Again, husband material.
As he is getting in the driver’s side his cell phone rings. Digging his phone from his jacket pocket he frowns when he looks at the screen.
“It’s for you.” He tosses the ringing phone in my lap and starts the engine.
Rubbing my finger across the bar, I answer. Chase.
“Should’ve known I’d find you with the narc,” he snarls on the other end.
“Well, you found me. What do you want?”
“I miss you.”
I sigh. “I’m not doing this today, Chase.”
“Why? Are you with someone? Don’t tell me you’re dating the narc.”
“That’s right, I’m with Devlyn now. We’re moving in together. I’m on my way to his parent’s place for the holiday. Don’t contact me again.” I end the call and Devlyn is gripping the wheel hard as we move through the holiday traffic.