No matterwhat’s going on with Devlin and his brothers, I’m spending the night with my sister. It’s been way too long, and maybe it’ll do me some good to be away from Devlin for a night. We’ve possibly been too close, too fast, even though I’m texting him right now.
Me
What are you planning on doing tonight?
Devlin
We’re playing poker and drinking bourbon.
Me
Are you heading home tonight afterward?
Devlin
No, we’re doing it at Grizzly River, and I’m hoping that I’m too drunk to miss you sleeping next to me, so I’m going to stay with Jesse and Aubree.
Those words send warmth to my chest.
Me
Don’t miss me too much.
Devlin
Babe, I’m gonna miss the hell outta you.
That endearment is enough to send a thrill through my stomach. I roll my eyes because of how hot he is when he’s not even trying to be, and quickly text him back.
Me
You’ll be fine, but I’ll miss you, too. I’m heading over to Lennon’s now.
Devlin
Be careful, love you.
Every time he tells me those words, I can’t believe this is the life I’m living, that someone I love loves me back.
Me
Love you, too.
Three hours later, Lennon and I have polished off a few drinks, eaten way too much spaghetti, and we’re laughing as we lie on her couch.
“Why don’t you tell me what’s up with you and Carson?” I give her a wink. “I didn’t know anything was going on with the two of you.”
She sighs heavily, taking a drink. “That’s because there’s absolutely nothing going on between the two of us.”
“You’re lying. You’re lying so hard. The question is, why are you lying?” I take a drink from my beer bottle and tip it toward her.
“Okayyyy.” She rolls her eyes, stretching the word out. “Carson came to the office a few months ago. He talked with Shawn, and I can’t tell you what it was about, but I had to fill out paperwork for him. We had to talk to one another in order for me to do that, and he flirted with me.”
“Flirted?” I question, wanting to know what happened.
“Yeah, he was charming and asked me out…”
I blurt out. “Did you go?”
