Don't Go Baking My Heart

Devon

If he hadto hear another terrible rendition of “Don’t Stop Believing,” Devon was going to walk out. He didn’t care if Dax or any of the others considered it rude. It wasn’t worth this torture. As the woman finished the song, her wobbly off-key notes lingering around the lounge, Devon looked over to where Reba was laughing it up with Evan and Hannah.

Reba had secured a black feather boa from somewhere and was shimmying her shoulders, causing Evan to laugh loudly. Even over the music, Devon could hear the man’s annoying braying. Reba had stayed true to her word—Evan was eating out of her hand. He was watching Reba’s every move, and Devon couldn’t tell if it was because Evan was trying to pump her for information about her relationship to Devon or he had fallen under her spell.

The shock on everyone’s faces had been clear. They hadn’t tried to hide that. He’d expected that reaction. This was his first time coming to one of the many after-work limes Evan organised, and he hadn’t shown up alone.

But he hadn’t been prepared for this fawning over Reba. She looked like some sort of sexy fae in that outfit, working her magic over the unsuspecting humans. He sipped his rum and coke as she cheered on Hannah, who was about to go up and sing something with another of their co-workers, Maria.

When she had first opened the door at her house, Devon’s reaction had been visceral, to the point where he had forced himself to have no reaction whatsoever. The wig. The dress. The fucking fishnets. Who the hell wore fishnets casually like that? He shouldn’t have been surprised. Everything he had learned about Reba to date made that seem like a normal choice for her, and yet…

Devon took another sip of his drink, throat suddenly dry as fuck. Reba in casual wear or a swimsuit was a lot to take in. Dressed up like this, Devon had wanted to call the entire outing off. He didn’t know if Reba was trying to get a rise out of him with her flirty comments or whether it was just how she communicated. What he did know was that he needed to be alert. Letting his guard down around Reba would be a foolish move.

“She fits in so seamlessly, doesn’t she?”

Dax’s voice startled Devon out of his staring. “I don’t think Reba fits in anywhere. She tends to stick out,” he replied without thinking.

“You make it sound like a bad thing.” Dax’s brows were raised, and too late, Devon realised how his comment sounded—like he disapproved, which would be odd since they were working this friends angle.

He didn’t disapprove per se; he just didn’t know how to deal with someone like Reba. She was a too-bright light that made it hard to look directly at her sometimes for fear that he would be dazzled. She was too distracting, and Devon didn’t need any of that in his carefully planned life.

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Good, because I think that’s just the kind of impact you need in your life.”

Devon gaped at his boss. He couldn’t be serious. The only reason Reba was even allowed in his bubble right now was because of desperation, and well, the fact that Cherisse wasn’t available. He wouldn’t have willingly invited her in otherwise.

“I don’t…” He cleared his throat. “What do you mean?”

Dax chuckled. “Devon, I love how structured you are. You get shit done, but son, I want you to enjoy your life too. Successes are great. Trust me, I know.”

Obviously he did. Dax had built this company into what it was today. He was Devon’s inspiration and mentor. His accomplishments spoke for themselves, and while Dax was humble and didn’t go about bragging, Devon never forgot how he had worked himself up from nothing. Dax had had a plan, a vision, and he’d executed it.

Devon saw so clearly where he wanted to go, and Dax was his blueprint for that.

“I was making time for everything except myself and family, and the burnout was real. Work hard, yes, but…” He gestured to where Reba was holding court. “Make sure you bring a little light in, too.”

“Oh, no, she and I aren’t like that. We’re friends.” It felt weird to say that, even if that’s what they were portraying for everyone. He and Reba were definitely not friends.

Dax sipped his drink, giving Devon a knowing look. “Uh-huh.”

“No, really. We’re not like that.” The idea was ludicrous. “Us together would be—”

A disaster. A mistake. The worst idea to ever be conceived. It would be like willingly plunging headlong into the sun.

He knew the exact type of woman he wanted in his life, and Reba Johnson was so far outside the scope of that.

“Alright. I don’t pry into my employees’ romantic lives, but keep her around. She’s a good influence.”

The so-called good influence was walking over to them, that boa still draped over her shoulders.

“I’m up. Kiss for luck?” She batted her lashes at him. She didn’t actually expect him to…? Reba snickered, patting his chest before winking at Dax. “Relax. I’m playing, but I at least expect you to bask in my brilliance.” She bounced up to the stage, microphone in hand.

Before the song started, she reached up to her headband, and suddenly, the entire thing lit up. She grinned as Evan and Hannah whooped.

Dax turned to him. “How did you meet this woman?”

Devon was beginning to wonder if this entire thing was a fever dream, just as Reba began singing Rihanna’s “Diamonds.” She should look ridiculous up there with that pink hair and the glowing cat ears headband, but she somehow managed to look ethereal, like some mysterious creature come to trick them into following her to their doom.