Page 41 of Devlin

"So, what happened to your fan club?" she asked, changing the subject.

"If you're referring to Diana and Georgia, theydisappeared when I told them I needed to take you your wine."

She sighed. "I'm sure they got the wrong idea, too."

"Who says it's the wrong idea?"

"Have you dated either one of them?"

"God, no."

"Why do you say it like that? They're attractive, the right age, obviously interested…"

"Diana is a huge gossip; I don't like that. And Georgia has a laugh that'slike fingernails on a chalkboard."

She smiled at his grimace. "I'm sure it's not that bad."

"Trust me, it is."

"Well, if you don't date them, who do you date?"

"No one you know."

"Seriously, Devlin, is there someone in your life?"

He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Do you think I would have kissed you the way I did if there was?"

She shiveredat the warm caress of his breath. "I guess not, but I don't know."

"I don't kiss more than one woman at a time."

"Well, we're done with kissing, so you're free to move on."

He smiled. "I've missed you, Hannah."

"It's been three days since we last saw each other."

"Good to know you've been counting the days, too."

"I haven't," she denied, knowing that wasa blatant lie. Every time she'd gone into town, she'd found herself looking for him.

"Devlin, Hannah, time to eat," Mrs. Varney said, interrupting their conversation. "You'll want to get your plate before I let the kids hit the buffet."

"We're on it," Devlin said, putting his hand on the small of her back.

As they moved toward the buffet line, Devlin was waylaid by more friends,and she managed to slip away from him, filling her plate and taking it out on the patio. Caroline was sitting alone at a table.

She waved Hannah over. "Come, sit." She patted the empty chair next to her. "I was beginning to feel like a wallflower."

"I doubt you could ever be that," she said, as she sat down.

Caroline smiled. "I see you've lost your shadow."

"If you'rereferring to Devlin, I think I'mhisshadow. He's like the brightest star in the galaxy."

"He is, but don't tell him that."

"Trust me, I won't. He definitely doesn't need more confidence."

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