“I think this blonde runs alittle too deep,” Garrett said, deflecting the question.
“How original. A blonde joke,”Devon responded, rolling her eyes.
“I doubt you have one picture ofyourself in Chicago. How will anyone believe you were actually here?” Garrettasked.
I hope no one ever does, shethought.
Devon just shrugged. Shecouldn’t tell him that.
“Have it your way. What do youwant to drink? I’m going to the bar,” he told her with a smile.
“Gin and tonic would be great. Do you need some cash?” she asked, reaching into her purse.
“On me.” He held up his hands toshow he wouldn’t accept any money from her.
“Thanks, Garrett,” Devon saidsincerely.
Where did Hadley find thisguy?
With a heavy sigh, Devon watchedhim walk away. She wished she could tell someone what she was going through. Buthow could anyone understand? Hadley would have a field day, and Devon wasn’tready for that kind of freak out. She didn’t really know Garrett, so he wasn’tan option. She knew she should try to talk to her mom, but Devon had beenavoiding her calls all week, hoping her mom would get the hint.
Each time Devon really thoughtabout it, she felt sick to her stomach. How can I tell anyone if I can’teven decide whether or not I made the right decision?
“I can’t believe it’s alreadybeen a week,” Hadley said, coming to stand next to Devon. “Where does the timego?”
“Well, you have a job,” Devonsaid.
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Hadleysaid dramatically.
“You love your job.”
“Yeah, well, it’s still a job,”she said with a shrug.
“Garrett’s pretty great,” Devonsaid, changing the subject.
“Dev, he’s more than prettygreat. He’s like so freaking amazing. And let me just tell you,” Hadley said,angling her body to look directly at Devon, “he’s beyond impressive.” Sheraised her eyebrows and smirked.
Devon laughed at Hadley attemptat being discreet. It was so unlike her friend.
“Plus, seriously, he’s an animalin bed. I just…I’m blown away,” Hadley told her.
Now, that sounded more likeher.
“You know the kind of luck I hadin college.”
“Oh, yes, poor little Hadleyalways had to date the hottest guys on campus.”
“But they all had small dicks,and I had to teach them how to use it,” Hadley complained.
“What about Jason?” Devon asked. “You never complained about him.”
Hadley glanced away with a biggoofy grin on her face. “I forgot about Jason. But it doesn’t matte; Garrettis better than them all! I can’t get over how good the sex is.”
“Good,” Devon said, looking backout across the Chicago skyline. She didn’t want to have this conversation. Not only did she not want to think about Garrett and Hadley going at it likeanimals, Devon really did not want to think about sex at all. Too manycomplications there.
“I know we don’t spend all thatmuch time together because our work schedules conflict, but our time is wellspent,” she said with a giggle.
How did the conversation steerin this direction?
“Thanks for making me come uphere. It’s really great,” Devon said, changing the subject once again.
“Oh, I know what’s good for you!”Hadley said.
“Is that so?” Devon askedcuriously.
“Psh! I’ve always known betterthan you.”
Devon wanted to ask Hadley whatwould be good for her. Maybe Hadley knew the answer. But the moment was lost.
“Here you are, ladies,” Garrettsaid, returning with three full glasses in his hands.
Devon accepted her drink out ofhis hand and smiled. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” he said with abroad grin as he handed Hadley some bright blue drink.
Devon took a gulp of her gin andtonic. It was the only way she could drink it. She didn’t really like gin,but it gave her the best buzz. She wasn’t sure why, but it worked so fast andmade her so happy. She would gulp down the taste of pine needles to get tothat high any day. Maybe she would eventually learn to like it.
She finished her drink in ahurry, wanting to wash away the memories of her dream along with the thoughts Hadleyhad forced into her mind. Devon might be a wreck later, but it was supposed tobe her going-away party after all. She went to the bar and ordered another. She knew she should take it easy, but she didn’t want to.
When she returned, unfamiliar faceshad overrun their table, and two other tables had been added to their corner. Hadley waved Devon over and introduced her to the group. They were allHadley’s friends from work, all attached to her husband or fiancé. Devondidn’t care to know any of their names. They were here for Hadley anyway.
She took a vacant seat next toGarrett and pretended like she was interested in the conversation. Most of theconversation centered on things Devon didn’t think about—weddings, marriage,and babies.
Her mother wanted her baby girlto have a huge Southern wedding on a Nashville plantation covered in lace andlilies and complete with cowboy boots and bow ties. But Devon wouldn’t be theone to have that kind of wedding. If her appearance in Chicago was any indication,she certainly wasn’t ready for marriage.
“Sorry I’m late,” a voice said,breaking into the conversation.
Devon looked up to see Brennanstanding near Garrett. He was staring at her, and she smiled at him, happy toknow someone else here. He was dressed simply in dark fit jeans and a snuggrey T-shirt. He had taken the time to do his hair. It seemed a day offsuited him.
“Belle,” he said, nodding hishead at Devon.
“It’s Devon,” she reminded him,like she had done all week.
He had taken to shorteningSouthern belle when he referred to her. She was pretty sure he would do itjust because
