Page 48 of Beautiful Dreamer

“What will you be having?” Elizabeth asked, peering over her menuat Seth’s a short time later. The restaurant was small, only a handful oftables. Luckily, it was Wednesday, and the place was able to fit them in. “I’mgoing for the sweet cream spinach ravioli.”

Devyn set down her perfectly made dirty martini. Elizabeth hadopted for a Sprite before warming up to an adult beverage. “Maybe the tomatoand watermelon salad.”

“No. Uh-uh.”

“Uh-uh?” she asked, amused. “You’re opposed to produce? The menusays it’s fresh andlocal,which should make you happy.”

Elizabeth tapped the table cloth. “I’m opposed to you notindulging in the homemade pasta at apastaplace.”

“I guess I’ve gotten used to salads and eating on the go.”

“That’s the most ridiculous practice I’ve ever heard. Eating onthe go? Why?” Elizabeth looked outraged.Downrightoutraged, and it made Devyn’s stomach flip-flop pleasantly. The fire in hereyes over salads as meals was…everything.

“Ricotta gnocchi it is,” she said, placing her menu flat on thetable.

“It was that easy?”

“I’m continually surprised by the things you’re able to get me todo,” Devyn said, with a pretend huff. “It’s a little annoying, if I’m beinghonest. Let’s not make this a habit. I’ve got to retain some control here,okay? It’s who I am.”

Elizabeth leaned in. “I think you secretly like letting loose.Letting someone else take control for a change.”

Devyn’s gaze dropped to Elizabeth’s lips as she said the words.She imagined Elizabeth in fucking control, and it did wonderful things to her.God, not here. She forced herself to sit up straight and be a normal person ina restaurant.

She painted on a smile. “I’m still not over the fact that I playedand nearly won acornholetournament.”

“Don’t count us out.” Elizabeth tucked a strand of that multicoloredhair behind her ear. “There’s always this Saturday.”

The most amazing thing was that Devyn was excited to hear that,that she could be playing cornhole in a parking lot again this weekend withElizabeth. What was happening to her and how? Those were the kinds of thingsshe looked forward to now? “I should work on my arc.” She acted out the motion.

Elizabeth laughed. “Not bad.” She sipped her soft drink. “And howare things going with that big building you’re selling?”

“Twenty-Four Walker? We’re behind where we should be.” She sippedher own drink, feeling herself yanked right back to her day-to-day reality thathad nothing to do with beanbags or flirting. A shame. “And time is runningout.”

Elizabeth sat back to allow the server to swap out her Sprite forthe house white wine she’d preordered. Her eyes lit up when the glass wasplaced on the table. She lifted it happily. “What happens if you don’t get itsold?”

“Well, my reputation is shot, costing me other opportunities.Worst of all, I probably won’t get another listing from this particulardeveloper, who goes through one major building or reno project after another,which translates to millions in lost commission for me.”

Elizabeth’s eyes fluttered. “Hold the mustard.”

“Like in a deli?”

“Yeah, it’s what KC and I say instead of ‘phone.’ Stay with me.You makemillionsin commission?”

“Yes,” Devyn said, dismissing her awe, “but that trickles down tomy team and a cut to the firm that houses me, but sure. The initial take from abuilding like this one is in the multi-millions.”

Elizabeth threw back a gulp of wine. She shook her head. “What areyou doing here with me?”

Devyn eyed her, confused. “Having dinner.” Everything about thiswoman was becoming adorable to her, right down to her warm-up Sprite.

“I do odd jobs for a living,” Elizabeth said, touching her chest.

“And get all the good gossip, apparently. I get very little gossipat work, so on that count you win.” Elizabeth took another drink and fannedherself. “You okay over there?” Devyn asked.

“Did I kiss a millionaire? You can just tell me. I won’t beembarrassed about it.”

Devyn laughed again. “It’s possible.”

“Oh, Lordy Lord.” Another big swallow from her glass. She wasgoing to need another. Devyn signaled the server with a subtle nod toElizabeth’s glass.

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