Page 32 of Beautiful Dreamer

Elizabeth frowned, not understanding. “But you just got here.” Shepointed. “Skeet was about to order a drink.”

“These guys traveled in today and we have a reading with a fortuneteller at ten. But I want us to get together soon, okay? We need someone-on-one time. You’re cute,” she said, touching Elizabeth’s chin as shepassed. Skeet and Mode were hot on her heels.

“But…” Elizabeth turned and watched them leave, confused, let down,and alone with a martini she didn’t even like. “That did not go as planned,”she whispered to the empty table. She slid the offending cocktail away fromher, grabbed her bag, and headed out. She heard female laughter from the bar toher left as she exited the restaurant and stole a final glance at the table offormer cheerleaders. At least the more sought-after individuals in the worldwere enjoying themselves.

Apparently, nothing had changed.

Chapter Eleven

Good God, it was finally over. The night had been a rough one, butDevyn had somehow pushed through and nodded and smiled in all the right placeswith her old friends, until she’d finally managed to produce a few well-placedyawns and escape. Given the caretaker role she’d assumed for Jill, the other womenwere quick to nod sympathetically when she insisted it was time for her to headout.

Finally, able to breathe again, she drove the now-quiet streets ofDreamer’s Bay on her way back to Jill’s. With the windows down and the radioplaying softly she commanded herself to relax. Being back in the Bay among allof her old friends was a head trip, and not a fun one. Alone now, she savoredthe quiet and the freedom that came from disconnecting from her laptop. Herphone was also tucked safely away in her back pocket. One breath in. One breathout. She released the sounds of her friends’ increasingly shrill chatter andreplaced it with the sounds of the rustling leaves and ribbits of frogs. Theexercise began to work. She turned onto the residential street that led intoJill’s neighborhood and paused at the woman walking along the sidewalk. Sherecognized that easy gait. Elizabeth.

“This is twice in one night,” Devyn said through the open window,slowing the tiny car to match Elizabeth’s measured pace.

“That is one small car,” Elizabeth said, with an interested grin,as she walked. “It suits you.”

Devyn balked, mortally wounded. “It so does not. At all. Never saythat again.” She shook her head. “This car is nothing like me, I’ll have youknow.”

“If you say so.” Elizabeth shoved her hands into the pockets ofher jeans. The night was a nice one but still a little chilly.

“Can I offer you a ride in the smallest car on the planet?”

“No, thanks. I love walking at night.” She glanced up at the treesas if acknowledging friends. “It’s why I rarely take my truck places. That, andI get to have a third beer.”

Devyn shifted her lips to the side. “I wouldn’t have pegged youfor a beer drinker.”

“No?” Elizabeth asked. “What would you have pegged me as?”

“Maybe something colorful and frozen.”

Elizabeth placed a hand over her heart. Her jaw fell in abjecthorror. “I will have you know that not only do I enjoy a good beer, but I canspeak in detail about flavor profiles. Give me a good IPA and I’m a goner.” Shesoftened. “But fine, I occasionally indulge in a margarita if it’s fruityenough. Fruity is festive.”

Devyn smiled. “You have strong opinions on the topic. I saw youwith a martini earlier.”

She looked horrified. “A total mistake. I have no idea why peopleenjoy those things. Do you?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “Seems like cruelpunishment. Even the olives tasted like vodka. A shame.”

“Well, they work faster than beer, for one. I indulge in them onoccasion.”

“I offer my sincere condolences.”

Devyn laughed. “Thank you.”

They walked and drove in tandem silence, the easy kind. The talltrees swayed quietly overhead, their branches commingling in peacefulunderscore. “You going to tail me the whole way?” Elizabeth asked.

“Just making sure Elizabeth Draper, sweetheart of Dreamer’s Bay,gets home safe and sound. Can’t have the town jewel kidnapped at this latehour. It’s my civic duty.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “That kind of thing doesn’t happen aroundhere. You know that.” Of course Devyn did, but Elizabeth was feeling playful,daring, and running with it. After her crash and burn with Thalia, it felt likethere was very little to lose. “And not everyone thinks of me as the townjewel. Trust me.”

“Well, they’re stupid, then.” Elizabeth looked like she could usethat compliment, and Devyn wondered what had deflated her mood since they’dlast spoken. She remembered seeing her talking to a new group after Dexter leftthe restaurant. “Who were the friends you were with earlier? I don’t think Irecognize them.”

“Thalia Perkins. She owns the Massage and Spa Boutique on FirstAvenue.”

“What’s the actual name?” Devyn asked.

“That is the name.”

“Creative.”

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