I finally decided to tell him when his parents’ anniversary party was over. He’d asked me if I’d stay with him in a B&B after the party to celebrate our success. Since I’d arranged to have Andrew stay with my parents that weekend, I could take an entire night with Devin. It would be the perfect time to tell him the truth and hope, against hope that he not only understood why he didn’t know until now, but also, that he’d be interested in knowing Andrew.
The weather was relatively mild for February on the east coast, so we not only had the sunporch set up for the party, but also we’d decorated and set up the deck as well. The living room was elegant in pearl and champagne colors, and the caterers were well at work in the kitchen.
“How about a quickie before my folks get here,” Devin whispered in my ear as I told the bartender where to set up.
“I’m too stressed out to enjoy it.”
“First, don’t be stressed. It’s fantastic, Serena. Really. Second, I feel confident I can relax you.” He waggled his eyebrows at me.
I agreed. He had mad sex skills, but still. “Save it ‘til later, lover boy.”
He flashed me his signature sexy grin.
He was right that everything was going great. My team was as excited as I was to help with the party, so they were in top-notch form. I had a moment of fear when Devin’s parents arrived worrying that his mother might remember me, but I didn’t see a moment of recognition in her eyes. What did that say about her that she’d completely forgotten a woman who five years before told her she was carrying her grandchild? Slightly miffed about that, I busied myself in the kitchen with the caterers, letting my team make sure everything was going to plan in the main party areas.
“The only problem with small intimate parties is that they’re small and intimate,” a striking woman said entering the kitchen and sitting with a large glass of wine at the breakfast bar.
“Oh?”
“I love my parents and brother, but closeness only goes so far, you know. Sometimes it’s like fingernails on a chalkboard.”
Brother? I studied the woman and saw the same green eyes as Devin’s. “You must be Brianna Roarke. I’m Serena Moore.” I extended my hand.
Her smile was friendly. “You can call me Bri.”
That surprised me. Was she like Devin and didn’t put as much stock in class structure?
“I have to admit, I was worried when Devin said he was planning this shindig. But he pulled it off with your help. The pearl theme is lovely.”
I smiled feeling proud of my accomplishment. “Thank you.”
“And I see you stocked Dad’s whiskey. He’s such an Irish cliché.”
Movement on the other side of the kitchen caught my eye. Devin and another striking woman were walking through the hall. He bent over to whisper in her ear, then with his hand on her lower back, he escorted her to a door. Opening it, he led her in and shut it behind him.
Everything in my body went cold.
“That’s Evie, Evelyn Winthrop,” Bri said.
I turned my attention to her and saw she was looking to where I had been.
“They’re probably talking about when to have their firstborn, if my mother has any say about it.”
What? “Oh?” It took a herculean effort to keep my tone calm and not run down the hall to scratch both Devin and Evelyn’s eyes out.
“They’re supposed to get married.” Bri stole a bruschetta off the tray one of the caterers set on the breakfast bar for one of the wait staff to take to the party.
“Married? I didn’t realize he was engaged.”
She nodded. “Practically since birth. Of course, my brother isn’t ready yet. He’s still sowing his oats. I don’t know why she puts up with that, but who understands love, huh?”
I had been so sure that I’d been keeping my heart safe, but at that moment, I felt like an anvil had been dropped on it. How I was still standing there was beyond me because I was crushed.
Briana took a long swig of her wine and leaned toward me over the counter. “Personally, I think he could do better, but even Devin with all his talk about being his own man can’t escape family duty.”
“Serena, we’re about out of the scallop and truffle appetizer,” Debbie from my team appeared with an empty tray.
It took me a minute to make sure I could speak without crying. “Take this bruschetta. I’ll see if we have more of the scallops.”
“Oh, let me have one more of those,” Bri said before Debbie walked off with the bruschetta.
“I’m sorry, I need to check on the food,” I said to Bri, casting a glance toward the door Devin and Evelyn had gone through.
“He’s probably fucking her. It’s probably why she never gives up on him. I swear he’ll do it anywhere.” She shook her head, but then she gave me a strange look. “He didn’t lead you on, did he? He’s a nice guy really, but—”
I waved my hand away. “No. But he’s the host and should be at the party,” I said by way of excuse.
Bri jumped down from her stool. “I’ll take care of the party.” She sent me a sassy grin. “Taking credit for Devin’s work is always fun.”
I watched her leave thinking that I liked her. Of course, she and I would never be friends. Just like Devin and I would never be together.
Idiot! I chastised myself for getting caught up in the dream of Devin. I put all my focus into the evening, avoiding Devin and not looking his way when he finally emerged from whatever that room was.
A couple of times he approached me but I busied myself with something else and asked Debbie to check with him.
Near midnight, the party started to break up. I worked with my team
