Page 49 of Devoted Enough

“Your place is cute.”

She glanced around before shrugging. “It’s small but enough for me.”

I nodded as I moved into the living room and saw what had to be the door to her bedroom. It was open and I couldn’t see anyone in there from where I stood.

“Why did you think Ted was here?” Haven asked, moving into the kitchen and opening the refrigerator. She grabbed two bottles of water. Walking toward me, she handed me one. “I don’t have any beer.”

Thanking her, I took the bottle. “Thanks, and I don’t want any beer.”

Haven moved to the loveseat and sat. “So I’ll ask again…why did you think Ted was here?”

Following her lead, I sat down on the sofa. “The girls told me you left with him.”

Her brows shot up. “The girls?”

“Rosie, Candice, Josephine.”

A look passed over her face, but it was gone before I could read it. “Is that so?”

“You know, I didn’t get to tell you how great you sounded tonight.”

She leaned back and took a drink of the water before she said, “Shocked you remembered. You looked a bit busy dancing.”

I shook my head. “I didn’t want to interrupt you and Ted, so I went back to the table; one of the guy’s cousins was in town, and they asked me to dance with her. She was a bit too touchy-feely for me.”

Haven stared at me and went to say something, then quickly shut her mouth.

“Anyway, I saw you were gone and asked them where you went. They said you and Ted came back here. Did you change your mind?”

Now she looked even more confused. “About what?”

“Ummm, well, about, ummm…sleeping with him.”

Haven leaned forward, put her water on the coffee table, then turned to face me. “What are you talking about, Nate?”

“They said you were…well…you were going to sleep with Ted for the first time.”

A look of horror crossed her beautiful face. “They told you that?”

I nodded. “Josephine did. Yes.”

She leaned forward. “Why would they tell you that?”

Shrugging, I replied, “They’reyourfriends.”

Haven stood and started to pace. She finally stopped and faced me. “I’m sorry, Nate. They lied to you. I’m not even datingTed any longer. Not that I was officially dating him to begin with. He’s a…a…”

“Douche?”

Attempting not to smile, she turned away and cleared her throat. “Something like that.”

“At least we agree on something. So, what made you pick that song to sing?” I asked suddenly.

“I didn’t. Rosie did.”

I nodded, not entirely believing her. “You have a beautiful voice, Haven. I remember hearing it when you were in the choir.”

She once again had a look of surprise on her face. “How? When did you ever hear me sing in the choir?”

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