Page 55 of Devlin

"Is it happy? I thought we'd agreed to not hangout anymore."

"I don't remember that."

"You don't? Seriously?"

"We're friends, Hannah. Isn't that what we decided?"

"I suppose. Still, I can't believe you're that interested in looking at a house."

"You've made me curious about those hill houses. I might not want to live in my apartment forever."

"You said it was convenient."

"It has been, but asyou told me, it can be good to have a break between work life and home life." He paused. "How's theDaisy Maecoming along? I heard you and your dad took her out yesterday."

"Who did you hear that from?"

"Donnie Blake. He's also entered in the race. He thinks both Frank and I are going to lose now that we've split up."

"I guess that's possible. But you have a better chanceof losing."

He shot her a grin. "I love your confidence, even if it's misplaced."

She knew it probably was misplaced, but she wasn't going to tell him that. "Have you found your racing partner yet?"

"My dad will be home tomorrow. I'll get his final answer—on everything."

She took a quick breath at that piece of information. She only wanted a final answer if it was inthe affirmative. If it wasn't, she didn't know what her dad would do.

"I hope your dad has come to his senses," she said. "But it might be too late. My father went to Portland today."

Devlin hit the brakes hard, and she braced her hand against the dashboard. "Whoa."

"Sorry. I didn't think Kathy was going to stop on the yellow light."

"Was that it or were you rattledto know that my dad is talking to Victory Sailing, one of your biggest competitors?"

"I thought Frank would give me more time. I'm trying to make things right."

"I know you are, Devlin, but at the end of the day, even if you throw yourself under the bus, my dad might still get run over. He has to look out for himself."

"Is that what you told him?"

"No. I actually suggestedthat he give you more time."

His gaze softened. "Seriously? Why?"

"There are a lot of reasons. My dad loves the Boatworks and his job. But mostly it's because you're a good man, Devlin. You've put your own job on the line for him, and that's amazing."

"I'm glad you think so." He gave her a look so long that the car behind them sounded the horn. He hastily drove through theintersection.

She turned her gaze out the window, afraid she'd revealed far too much.

CHAPTER TWELVE

DEVLIN HAD ONLY OFFEREDto take Hannah to see the house because he wanted to spend time with her, but he had to admit the cottage was something special. The bathrooms were old and needed work, but the second-floor master suite was impressive, and the ocean views fromthree sides of the house were spectacular. There was also a rooftop deck with a telescope set up. Clearly, the night sky was as compelling as the ocean.

As he followed Hannah and Kathy around the house, he only half-listened to their conversation. Occasionally, he smiled to himself, because it was obvious that Hannah was trying to act as if this visit was nothing more than professionalcuriosity, but he'd seen the wonder in her eyes when she'd first stepped across the threshold, when she'd entered the master bedroom, and wandered out on the deck.

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