Following Me(62)

“To be honest, Hadley, I’m not sure I would have told you. I’ve been kind of moping around—”

“Ya think?” she asked, nudging Devon’s shoulder.

Devon laughed and nudged her back. “But I’m glad you know now.”

“Me, too,” Hadley said with a smile.

She looked healthier in that moment than Devon had seen since she had arrived. She was happy to have Hadley back to her old self again. Devon just hoped it was sustainable.

“Well, I have to get out of here. Sorry to leave you all alone,” Devon said, standing.

“Where are you going? I thought we could have some girl time,” Hadley said, sticking out her bottom lip.

“I’d love that, but I’m going somewhere with Brennan,” she said, not able to hold back her blush.

Hadley arched an eyebrow. “With Brennan, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Where are you guys going?”

Devon shrugged. “He won’t tell me. He said he wanted it to be a surprise.”

“A surprise?” Hadley didn’t even bother to hold in her smile. “Uh-huh.”

“Stop doing that!” Devon said, laughing.

“Doing what?” Hadley asked innocently.

“Oh, you know what!”

“I mean, Brennan’s good-looking, Devon. I don’t blame you.”

“Hadley! Jeez, we’re just hanging out,” Devon said.

They had been hanging out all week—with their lips locked, playful touches at work, eyes staring across the room, and their hands exploring one another. Devon’s cheeks heated as she thought about it.

“Hanging out,” Hadley said with air quotes. “I sure hope that involves a bedroom.”

“Oh my god, seriously, you are ridiculous,” Devon said, shaking her head.

“Just look at you! You’re blushing from head to toe. Who knew I was actually the matchmaker?” Hadley said exaggeratedly.

“Go back to watching your silly show! I have to get out of here,” Devon said.

“Wait, wait!” Hadley cried as Devon tried to ease out of the living room. “Have you made it to the bedroom?”

“Hadley!”

“Alright, alright. Go have fun! I would have already told you though!” she called as Devon rushed out of the apartment.

Devon could hear Hadley’s laughter, sweet and melodic, as she pulled the door closed. At least, Hadley was laughing again.

Devon walked down the hallway and took the elevator to the bottom floor. It was early, so Devon started walking toward the L station on her way to Brennan’s place. When she pulled out her phone to text Brennan, she found it was already ringing. She hadn’t noticed it was set on silent.

“Hey!” Devon said. She was glad to hear from her brother. It had been a while since they had talked.

“Hey, Dev. Can I just tell you how much I hate you right now?”

Devon laughed and shook her head. “Why is that?”

“Because you’re in St. Louis, and I’m in New York City with Mom and Dad. How exactly did you get out of this?” he asked.

“I didn’t take the bait like you did!”

“This is supposed to be for your birthday!”

“No,” Devon said, “we both know it’s for Mom.”

“Yeah, speaking of, she wanted me to call and guilt-trip you for not being here. I mean, she wanted me to tell you how much she misses you and wished you could be here,” Dustin drawled. He had never given up his Southern accent.

“Well, tell her that I’m so sorry even though I’m not, and good luck at the award ceremony, even though she doesn’t need it,” she said.

“Word for word, Dev. Word for word.”

Devon laughed. “Ass.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

“No, really, tell Mom and Dad good luck and that I miss them. I have to go,” she said, wanting to get off the phone before she reached the train station.

Devon couldn’t believe that she had actually gotten this far without anyone growing suspicious.

Chapter Twenty-One - Out of the Gutter

“SO, WHERE ARE we going?” Devon asked, walking up the stairs to the L station.

“You’ll see when we get there,” Brennan said.

He took her hand and held it in his as they walked. He looked comfortable today, not wearing his work clothes. She liked him like this—in khaki shorts, a blue T-shirt with a lighter button-up over it, and his ever-present Wayfarers.

“Am I going to like it?”

“Would I take you somewhere you wouldn’t like?” Brennan asked.

Devon smiled and let him take charge. She wasn’t a big fan of surprises, but this one felt different. It was exhilarating. They hopped on the train and sat next to each other. She could get used to this.

“I think Hadley’s getting better,” she told him.

“That’s good to hear.”

“I told her I was going out with you, and she turned into a total girl,” Devon said, rolling her eyes.

Brennan smirked. “I’m sure I can guess what she’s thinking.”

Devon looked down at their hands. “Probably. She’s entirely predictable.”