Page 40 of Devlin

"It's a complicated situation."

"Well, I'm sure Devlin won't be thrilled to lose Frank for the race. They've been unbeatable," Jessica said.

"I'm not thrilled at all," Devlin interrupted, handing her a glass of wine. "I hope white is good. I rememberedyou had a chardonnay the other night."

"It's fine. Thanks." She couldn't help noticing the renewed curiosity in Caroline's eyes, and even Jessica looked taken aback by Devlin's comment.

"Are you two friends?" Jessica asked. "I was thinking if you both came to the party that there might be tension after what happened to Frank."

"There's definitely tension," Devlin said, givingher an intimate look.

She felt a wave of heat run through her, hoping she was the only one who saw the glint of reckless humor in his eyes. But Caroline's knowing smile put an end to that foolish thought.

"Oh, well…" Jessica looked a bit confused by his comment.

She quickly stepped in. "My father's relationship with Devlin and the Boatworks is not my business. It's betweenthem," she said, thinking that she probably should have had that thought before she went into Devlin's office and ranted like a crazy person.

If she hadn't gone to see him, they might not have talked at all, might not have gone sailing, might not have kissed…

"But the race is between all of us," Devlin said. "I'm looking forward to competing against Hannah and her father. By theway, happy birthday, Jess."

"Thank you."

Their conversation was interrupted by Jessica's mother, Grace, who stepped up to a microphone and urged everyone to go to the buffet.

"Shall we get some food?" Jessica asked.

"I'm game," Caroline said.

"You two go ahead," she said, knowing that Jessica needed to be at the front of the line.

"We'll talk later, Hannah,"Jessica promised. "If not tonight, because I know it's crazy here, maybe we can get together on Saturday. We could go to tea at the Bickmore."

"That would be great."

"What about you, Caroline?" Jessica asked. "Can you join us?"

"Absolutely."

"Then it's a date."

As Caroline and Jessica moved away, Devlin slid closer to her, jostling her shoulder with his. "Lookslike you and your friends are going to pick up right where you left off."

"It's great to see them again, but I think you were giving them the wrong idea."

"About what?" he asked with an unrepentant grin, as he turned to face her.

"Us. Not that there is anus, but you kind of implied there was."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Thattensioncomment wasn'tloaded?"

"Well, we do have a lot of tension. And do you really care what anyone thinks?"

"Don't you care? You're the one who lives here, who will face questions from your friends."

"My friends don't ask me questions, at least not about women."

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