Maria patted Devyn on the shoulder. “Now, go buy that man a gift that will show him you actually paid attention to him before you had a meltdown.”
Devyn laughed, but she knew exactly what to get him.
17
Chad pulled a bottle of whiskey out of his desk drawer, and cracked the seal. He took a swig from the open bottle, not caring about the burn running down his throat. What the hell just happened?
Just when he thought things were going okay, Devyn threw a curve ball at him. Not to mention that none of this would have happened if she had just taken the time to listen to him. He took another drink from his glass. He stared down at the bottle, trying to remember why he had bought the damn thing and why he had put it into his desk.
Right now he didn’t care.
Right now he only cared about forgetting the way Devyn had stormed out. How she hadn’t given him a minute to explain.
His phone chirped, pulling him from his already fogging brain. Chad grunted, pulling the phone out of his jacket pocket.
“Lidia–”
“Guess again,” his mother’s voice came across the line. Her sweet voice calmed him, taking the frustration away he had been feeling. Chad furrowed his brow, thinking of how he’d get home if he drank too much.
“Hey Ma,” he said. “I’ll be home soon.”
“I know. I’m just calling to check in on you.” She paused, waiting for him to say something. Chad was could feel the tears pooling in his eyes. He focused on keeping his breathing steady and even. “How was work?”
“Fine,” he said too quickly. “It was the same as usual.”
“Did you tell Devyn about your that lady calling you last night?”
Her question startled him. “What?”
The color drained from Chad’s face, recalling he hadn’t stepped far enough away. He had hoped to keep his mother away from the stress he faced every day.
“I overheard,” she said. “It’s not like I tried though. You know it’s hard for me to move my chair by myself.”
She sighed on the other end of the line.
“Are you drinking?”
“How’d you guess?” Chad was tired of hiding. Tired of being the strong one.
“You could call it mother’s intuition,” she laughed. “Tell me what happened.”
“I tried to tell her this morning, but she wouldn’t listen. Alex was here, and she just wanted to get the day over with. When I finally told her, she freaked.” Chad took another drink from his glass. “I also called in a favor, so we could get the cosmetic line in for Christmas. She thought I was trying to prove a point to her or something. I can’t wrap my head around it.”
“Are you sure about that?” His mother questioned. “You’re a smart man, Chad. I think you can figure this one out. I don’t think it’s as deep as you believe it is.”
“I’m not sure what to do, Ma.”
“Think on it,” she said. “Sober up and come home. See you soon, Honey.”
The phone went dead. The silence hung in the air, suffocating him. He wanted another drink. He wanted to forget. But he needed Devyn.
What was he supposed to do? Let her get fired because their bitchy boss had an axe to grind with her? No. Fucking. Way. He just couldn’t seem to shake his mother’s words.
Why had she freaked out like she did?
Then it hit him. The realization slammed into him. He wanted to hurl, recalling their countless conversations where she avoided her past. Avoided talking about her family. Her pride. Her drive.
“Devyn, you’ve got to be kidding me,” Chad groaned into the void of his tiny office.
He was in love with the most stubborn, prideful woman he’d ever known and there was only one way to get her back.
He had to wait.
18
Devyn walked into the office holding the small box containing Chad’s gift. The one she had spent hours on trying to decide what would be best for him. She felt silly when she thought about all the time she spent trying to find the perfect gift.
She walked through the crowd of people searching for his face. The gift exchange was already over. She didn’t mean to be late, but she also knew there was no way she could face him in front of everyone. He had to know it was her. She was the one who drew his him name.
Someone’s hand wrapped around her bicep, turning her around.
Penelope was standing in front of her. Her mouth fell open, trying to find the right words to apologize to her friend.
“You’re totally late, Boss.”
“Pen—”
Penelope put her hand up, flipping her long hair over her shoulder. She pressed her lips into a thin line before shoving a box out to Devyn.
She stared down at the box, looking at the neatly wrapped box with a big green bow with a piece of cardstock stuck on top. She took the box into her hands, pulling the card away.
Merry Christmas, Boss.
This should be the last note. I know Christmas is your least favorite time of year, but I got you something special like you.
Devyn pulled the lid off the box revealing a leather bound journal with her name engraved at the bottom. She opened the cover, staring at the cream paper. Her mouth fell open.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “Alex found the note in my office.”
“I’m not angry.” She was lying. Devyn could see her eye twitching.
“I would be angry if you weren’t.” Devyn squared her shoulders, staring her friend in the eyes. “You deserve better. I’m going to be better. I’ll be a better boss and a better friend. So on Monday, I’m giving you that raise.”
Penelope’s lips twitched into a warm smile, “Well, a girl can’t argue with that.” She glanced across the room. “Why aren’t you with your man?”
Devyn’s eyes followed hers, finding Chad standing across the room. His gaze was icy, and reminded her of everything she had to lose.
“Because I
