Page 80 of Devlin

"Can we take a walk, Hannah? Get out of here? Or maybe you wantto stay and celebrate? In fact, that's exactly what you should do." He shook his head, as if annoyed at himself. "Sorry, I don't know what I was thinking. This is your moment. Soak it up."

"It's more my dad's moment," she said, watching her father and Graham shaking hands with more competitors. "I'm so happy for him."

"You did it, too, Hannah."

"I know, and I'm proud of myself.But it was never about the trophy. Let's take a walk."

A happy gleam entered his eyes as they moved toward the door.

It took them about fifteen minutes to actually get out of the club, but eventually they made their way down the sidewalk and walked toward a path that wound its way around the bluffs. The hills were empty now that the race was over, but she could still hear the distantcheers as they'd sailed into first.

Despite Devlin saying he wanted to talk, he was remarkably quiet, although he did take her hand, squeezing her fingers as if that would somehow convey whatever he needed her to know. But she wasn't sure what he was trying to get across. Was he leading into a conversation that would involve words likefun,we had a good time, andlet's stay in touch?

She wasn't sure she was ready for that. But whatever was coming, she needed to hear it. When they came upon a bench, she motioned for Devlin to sit down with her.

"This is good," she said. "My legs and arms are aching. I'm going to be sore tomorrow."

"But it will have been worth it."

"It was great to win. I felt empowered in a way I haven't felt in a long time. I thinkthat's because I haven't put myself to that kind of physical and mental test in years. It was exciting and grueling."

"I'm glad you won."

"Well, I'm sorry you lost."

He smiled. "It's just a race. There will be another one next year."

"That's true. You and my dad can reunite."

"Or…you and I could do it together."

Her heart skipped a beat. "You want me torace with you a year from today?"

He slowly nodded. "I think we'd make a good team, too."

"But you don’t look that far into the future."

"I do now." He paused, shifting sideways so that he was facing her. "I don't like waking up and having you be gone, Hannah."

"I thought it would be easier that way."

"You always think that, but it's not."

"I'm sorry.I did leave you a note."

He gave her a faint smile. "I appreciated that."

"I guess I wanted to avoid good-bye."

"I want to avoid it, too. Is there any chance you'd consider moving to King Harbor?"

Her breath caught in her chest at the question, at the intense, determined look in his eyes. "Are you sure you want that?"

"Yes. I'm falling in love with you, Hannah.Actually, I don't think I'm still falling; I've already hit the ground. You have knocked me off my feet. And I don’t want to go a day without seeing you."

She could hardly believe what she was hearing. "But it was supposed to be a fling, a casual thing. You like things simple."

"I used to. I thought not caring too much would prevent me from having to walk through pain again. ButI've been in pain the last week. The thought of not seeing you again, not being with you—it physically hurts. I know it's a lot to ask. You have your mother, your business, and your life in Austin. It would be difficult for me to move, but if that’s what needs to happen, then I'll find a way to work it out."

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