Page 17 of Devlin

"Is there a woman inyour life?"

"Only one who's annoying the hell out of me right now."

She rolled her eyes. "Very funny."

"What about you? I don't see a ring on your finger."

She shifted in her seat, an uncomfortable look entering her eyes. "There's no ring now."

"You were engaged?" he asked in surprise. "I'm surprised I never heard that."

"Why would you have heard it?"

"Frank talks about you sometimes, but he didn't tell me you were engaged."

"He didn't know. I was going to tell him, but it ended before I had a chance."

"That sounds like a very short engagement."

"Three days. The story I would have to tell is actually longer than the engagement."

"I'd like to hear it."

She finished her drink. "Unfortunately, I'm out ofwine."

"I could get you another glass."

"Not a good idea."

"Why not? Are you afraid you might start to like me?" he challenged, the whisky probably making him a little too reckless. "That the sparks between us aren't just coming from anger?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," she denied, but he could see the glitter of awareness in her eyes. "We have never hadany sparks."

"Not before now," he agreed.

"I'm not looking for another relationship."

"Who said anything about a relationship?"

"You're drunk."

"Not yet."

She got to her feet. "Goodnight, Devlin."

He watched her walk out of the pub with mixed emotions, but he settled on the one that made the most sense—relief. He should be happy she was gone, becausehe'd been sailing into dangerous water, and on any other night he would have turned around a long time ago.

Getting up, he headed across the room and joined his brothers, who were eager to grill him.

"Was that Hannah Reid?" Logan asked.

"It was."

"I thought that might be her," he continued. "I haven't seen her in years, but she looks good."

"Really good," Rossput in with a grin. "However, she didn't look like she was buying what you were selling."

"She's angry. Dad fired Frank three days ago."

---