Following Me(6)

“Put me down. Put me down. You have to meet Devon!” Hadley cried.

Devon heard a few thuds that sounded like Hadley was playfully hitting Garrett.

“Is she here already?” he asked.

“Yeah. Hey, Dev. Come meet Garrett!” Hadley called.

Devon took a deep breath, preparing herself for the utter cuteness that always came from the honeymoon stage of a new relationship. She waved awkwardly as she entered the living room. “Hey.”

“Garrett, baby, this is my bestie, Devon Sawyer,” Hadley said. “Dev, this is my boyfriend, Garrett Jones.”

“Hey, Devon. So nice to finally meet you,” Garrett said, striding forward with his hand extended.

Devon politely placed her hand in his and shook.

“I’ve heard so much about you,” he said.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, too.” Which was true. Hadley hadn’t shut up about him at lunch, not that Devon was complaining. She would rather talk about anything but herself.

“Don’t believe a word she says. She thinks I’m a nice guy,” he said with a wink in Hadley’s direction.

“You are a nice guy!” Hadley said, rolling her eyes and walking over to them.

“Kiss of death, babe. Kiss of death,” he said, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in close.

Yes, that looks like the kiss of death, Devon thought.

“So, how long are you here for?” Garrett asked, directing his attention back to Devon.

“Uh…probably just a week,” she said, finding his wide brown eyes unnerving.

“Well, glad to have you. I brought home a couple bottles of wine from the cellar,” he said, gesturing to the side table where he had deposited a bag.

“I didn’t know you were going to see your dad,” Hadley said, her voice strained.

“He asked to see me after work. Told me to tell you hello. I think he wants us over for dinner sometime this week.”

“Oh, well that sounds nice,” Hadley responded flatly.

Devon would be sure to ask her about that later. She hadn’t mentioned anything about Garrett’s parents, and she knew Hadley too well. There was definitely something off in her voice.

“I’m going to go pop open a bottle. You ladies get back to your Millionaire Matchmaker. I’m cooking dinner tonight since I’m actually home at a decent hour, and then we’re going out to celebrate Devon’s arrival.” He picked up the bag from the table and pulled out a bottle. “Red okay with you, Dev?”

He’s already using my nickname like he knows me. How the hell does Hadley always get this lucky? Devon wondered.

“Red is perfect,” she answered.

When he left for the kitchen, Hadley grabbed her arm, pulling her close on the couch. “Isn’t he incredible?” Hadley swooned.

“He might be too good. He brought home wine, and he’s making dinner? Is this guy for real?” Devon asked, nudging Hadley in the ribs.

“Totally for real, and he’s been like this for the past five months,” she said, sighing contentedly. “It’s like hitting a gold mine as far as boyfriends go.”

Devon couldn’t agree more. Her friend seemed truly, very happy with Garrett, and Garrett seemed to adore her. Any man who greeted a woman by picking her up and kissing her senseless was alright on Devon’s list.

Plus, he was pretty easy on the eyes. He was tall, really tall, which was nice since Hadley was on the taller side. He had broad shoulders, a friendly smile, and the cutest dimples. His brown hair was short but styled professionally. He’d had on a black suit when he walked in, but he had since changed into dark jeans and a green button-up rolled up to his elbows to cook in. He seemed comfortable in his skin and in his affection toward Hadley. Devon liked that about him.

THE TRIO SPENT the evening lost in debates about which match was going to be successful on Millionaire Matchmaker while downing glass after glass of the expensive red wine Garrett had brought back with him. To accompany the wine, dinner consisted of a perfectly cooked chicken marsala with spaghetti and garlic bread. As they laughed and joked during the meal, Devon felt the tension and anxiety of the last semester melt away from her.

Each day had been a battle to keep going, and in this moment, she felt lucky because she was here with her friend. She had made it through the day.

Chapter Three - The Bean Thing

DEVON TURNED THE corner, looking over her shoulder. As she wound through unfamiliar streets, she was surprised to find each one deserted. Where are all the people?

She was still walking, but her pace was rapidly increasing. She hated being lost, especially at night. She remembered a similar experience she’d had in a new city. The driving directions had been all wrong, and her GPS hadn’t directed her properly. She had freaked out and pulled over to figure out where she was supposed to be going. The overpowering feeling of utter insecurity and danger had made her stomach tighten and tense.

She hadn’t been in real danger, but it sure had felt like it.

And it felt like it now.

Devon swallowed hard, pushing her blonde hair off her face, as she walked faster and faster, hoping to find something that would trigger a memory of some sort. She tried to recall where she was or what she was doing, but it just wouldn’t come to her. Panic rose in her chest, causing her heart to flutter faster, as sweat began to bead on the back of her neck.