Page 27 of Beautiful Dreamer

Once they made it outside and the door was safely closed behindthem, she turned to Devyn. “It’s about Jill. She thinks you don’t want to behere.”

Devyn’s eyes went wide, understanding crossed her features, andshe sighed. “No. It’s not that. I want to be here for her. I just…have a lotgoing on, and my home is in Philly, and…” She glanced behind her and swallowed,regrouping. “She said that?”

Elizabeth nodded, feeling the concern crease her features. “Andit’s not necessarily my business, except that my heart aches for her and whatshe’s working through, ya know? And then for her to imagine that her sister isanything but happy to step into her life for a while? Gotta be rough.”

Devyn nodded and rubbed her forehead. “You’re right. Of course,you’re right. I’ll talk to her.”

“No,” Elizabeth said. “Then she’ll know that’s what we weretalking about out here, and everything you say will feel inauthentic.”

“Inauthentic.”

“Right.” Elizabeth stepped in, and dropped her voice. “The bestthing to do is find little ways to show her.”

Devyn stared at her as if she’d spoken another language. “I’mawful at this sort of thing. I’m a go-getter. I barrel into things headfirst. Idon’t do subtle. I’m results oriented.”

Elizabeth took a moment, caught off guard by Devyn’s show ofweakness, and the true remorse that radiated. “Okay. That’s fair. Can I make asuggestion, then?”

“Please.”

“Spend time with her. Maybe find ways to point out that you’reenjoying that time. Less preoccupation with work when you’re together. You seemreally focused on email specifically. Also, less glancing at your phone everyfive minutes as if something more pressing is looming.”

“Well, I have a job back home,” Devyn pointed out.

“You also have one here.” Elizabeth delicately placed a hand onDevyn’s shoulder.

“Fine,” Devyn said, closing her eyes momentarily. “I’ll give it ashot. Less phone. Stay present.”

“There ya go. That’s all I’m asking. For Jill.”

“For Jill.” Devyn gave her head a shake. “Elizabeth Draper.Unlikely voice of reason.”

Elizabeth gasped. “Unlikely? Excuse me. More like themostlikely. I havethis town and the people in it figured out.”

“That include me?” Devyn raised an eyebrow, and Elizabeth’s entiremidsection squeezed.

“Duh.”

“Duh? We’re back in high school now?” But she said it in jest, andjesting Elizabeth could hang with. She enjoyed it, even.

“Does that mean I should kiss your popular feet, then?”

“No, but maybe we could talk about my ass.” With a wink she headedback inside, leaving Elizabeth standing there gaping, unable to reply, and notat all thinking about Devyn Winters’s perfectly shaped ass as it sashayed itsway through the door.

Okay, so that just happened.

She blinked and turned to the street, cheeks aflame and libidofiring without even consulting her. Yeah, maybe she had time to find a bottleof water before heading to her next job.

Her mouth had gone unexpectedly dry.

Chapter Ten

Ronnie Roo’s was packed like a dented can of plump sardines whenDevyn arrived. Now that she was back in town, she was actually reverting tosentences like that one. Comical and tragic at the same time, but she decidedto roll with it.

The familiar smell of freshly fried onion rings and sizzlingburgers smacked her in the face and transported her in time. Years back, sheand her friends had patronized Roo’s, the sloppy and wonderful burger joint,after each and every football game, still in uniform and riding high on theirteenage high horses. They were good days, if a little stunted in the depthdepartment. She’d felt happy and confined at the same time back then, wonderingabout the great big world beyond their town. She’d always been an adventurer atheart. But Roo’s was a welcome sight that evening. She smiled and took in theroom. The cluttered walls hadn’t changed. License plates, traffic signs,fishing poles, coffee mugs, musical instruments, farm equipment, and picturesof the four celebrities who’d passed through town were all thrown together in aseries of endearing collages that flanked the room.

She scanned the bustling dining area until her eyes landed on thetable of women near the bar, seated around a high-top. They turned as sheapproached, breaking into an identical four-way grin. Cricket was the first tocall out to Devyn. She’d gained about twenty-five pounds over the years butstill looked as glamorous as ever with her red hair piled on top of her headlike a soft and flowy billow of smoke. Devyn glanced at her gaping neckline andblinked.Hello.She’d also had the girls done. Maybe twice.

“Well, look who just waltzed her way into Roo’s looking drop-deadgorgeous and successful,” Cricket said loudly. Several nearby tables turned andsmiled. She recognized Mrs. Hudson from the Laundromat and nodded hello, beforeturning back to Cricket.

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