Page 41 of Aria

Devon shuddered and pulled me close. “Mornin', sunshine,” he said, his voice gruff with sleep.

"Morning," I replied.

Breaking away, he gave my backside a playful pat. "So, what are your plans for the day?" He sat up, throwing his legs over the side of the bed.

“I thought we were doing them.” I couldn’t help but jut my lip out with a petulant pout. I’d been looking forward to an early morning roll in the hay.

Making love with Devon was nothing like the caustic sex I’d experienced with Ian. Devon was patient and kind. He never left me feeling empty or used. Our first time together had felt like it was straight out of a romance novel, even though I’d been full of nerves and insecurities. Devon went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable.

Offering an apologetic smile, he pulled a shirt over his head. "Sorry, babe. I have a meeting in an hour. Lots to do before our flight. What are you up to today?”

My shoulders deflated. The boys were flying across the country to play a gig in Los Angeles, and I had been taking too much time off work, so I was staying behind. "Well, I told Noah I'd meet him and Sam for ice cream later before you guys leave. Then I was going to go shopping with Lisa."

"Ah, I see." He paused for a moment. "I, uh… noticed you've been spending a lot of time together."

"With Lisa?" My nose crinkled.

Devon scratched his head before standing up to look for his pants. "No, with Noah. You guys hated each other, and now you're going on ice cream dates."

I bristled at the implication, pulling the bedsheet up over my chest. "It's not like that. It's more for Sam's sake, anyway… he's really taken a liking to me."

He made a humming sound as he tightened his belt buckle. "He's not the only one, it seems.”

"What?"

"Nothing… nothing.” Rummaging through a pile of clothes, he settled on a previously worn pair of socks. His stance softened as he regarded me, a smile stretching. “Sorry. I'm glad you two are finally getting along."

I didn't reply. The truth was, Ididenjoy spending time with Noah—he was a good listener, he was funny, and he seemed to really “get” me. I looked forward to our talks and get-togethers. And Sam was such a joy to be around.

But my relationship with Noah was strictly platonic, so I was surprised to hear suspicion in Devon’s tone. Nodding lightly, I decided to change the subject. "You'll be back in time for my birthday on Saturday, right?"

"Of course, babe. I'm looking forward to it." Devon must have noticed the melancholy in my voice because a renewed twinkle danced in his eyes. He climbed onto the bed and army-crawled over to me, pressing his mouth against mine. “On second thought… maybe I have a few extra minutes to spare.”

I giggled, kissing him back with fervor while removing the clothes he had just changed into. When we finished, spent and satisfied, Devon gave me a wink and kissed my nose. “I’m going to shower and get going.”

Watching him disappear into the bathroom, I took a moment to revel in the afterglow before rolling out of bed and slipping into sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt. As the shower jets turned on from the hall bath, my mind wandered to the upcoming weekend.

I couldn’t believe my twenty-seventh birthday was around the corner. I had never looked forward to my birthdays in the past, but this one was different.

I had a reason to celebrate this year.

* * *

Noah

"I want chocolate. No, Superman. No… Superman with chocolate sprinkles!"

Standing in line for an ice cream cone with a four-year-old was everything one would expect it to be. I held my son back from charging through the other customers and throwing himself head-first into the tubs of frozen delights.

"Hey!Sorry I'm late."

My head perked up at the sound of a familiar voice.

"Miss Chelsie!"

Sam ran into Chelsie's outstretched arms and wrapped his tiny legs around her waist. Chelsie managed to maintain her balance as Sam clung to her like a monkey.

"Only you could pry him away from Superman," I grinned.

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