“The emergency being . . .”
She leaned toward him. “I desperately needed to get in your pants.”
He threw his head back and laughed.
“And it’s worth it to see you so lighthearted and content.”
“We’ll try not to make it a habit.”
“Oh, I hope we will.” She winked.
“I meant calling in, Ms. Hemsworth,” he said sternly.
Their server appeared and interrupted the moment. Chloe considered the idea that Devon was moving forward better and faster than any of his family had expected. She sincerely hoped it had something to do with her.
“On Saturday, I thought we could just go to the movies with Hailey,” Devon said when the server left the table.
“That’s good. It’ll be dinnertime when I’m off work, so we can meet after that at the theater.” Chloe took a sip of her drink. “Do you want to come to Sunday dinner again?”
“Um, okay. Are you sure your parents won’t be sick of me?”
She was shaking her head before he stopped speaking. “No, honey. We’re all in.”
“I like the sound of that. Are we monopolizing your time, though? There’s no way you have time for anyone other than me anymore.”
“I admit I’ve spent more time with you and less with Alicia lately, but she understands it won’t always be like this. It’s different while I’ve got this schedule, and she knows I want to spend my spare time with you and Hailey. Don’t worry about me; I’ll tell you if it’s too much.”
“We could all get together.” He hadn’t seen Alicia or John since Hailey’s party, and he liked them both.
Chloe smiled. “That sounds like a nice idea. A double date, or a family thing with Hailey and Brandon?”
“It depends on when everyone is free, but we could all get together the next weekend you’re not working.”
Chloe watched Devon’s face as she sat back against the booth and let the server serve them. She knew she’d thrust herself into an unusual situation, but there had never been any doubt in her mind. Since the day they met, she’d felt something for him, but that day in the hospital after Hailey was found cemented her love for him. He was nearly destroyed, needing her and his brother to help him get through, but she saw the strength underneath it all. She saw the love and devotion for his daughter and his family.
“Do you have any idea how much I love you?” she said when they were alone again.
His grin was quick and brightened his face. “I think so. I’m pretty blown away by how much it turns out I love you.”
“No reservations?”
He shook his head slowly. “No, not anymore. Something broke loose inside me, I think. Whatever was holding me back from happiness.”
“I’m the luckiest person alive, you know.”
He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. “That makes two of us.”
She watched him eat, adoring the face of the man she loved. He’d been through so much, and there was more to come, but he was open and honest with her about it all. He was healing. No matter what came their way, there was nothing they couldn't get through together.
