Page 88 of Beautiful Dreamer

“So, what are you going to do about it?”

“What can I do?”

“Nothing mundane, that’s for sure. Are you ready for drastic?”

Devyn looked her sister square in the face. “I don’t know.” Shepointed at the frothy drink. “But can I try one of those and we can talk aboutthe details?”

* * *

Devyn popped a second bottle of champagne as her team applaudedand cheered. It had come down to the wire, but they’d sold every last damn unitof Twenty-Four Walker, making Wyatt Lowe not only rich but a record breaker inPhiladelphia real estate. They were all exhausted, proud, and ready tocelebrate.

“I have to give you credit,” Wyatt said, as Karen took the bottlefrom Devyn and went around the room filling glasses. They stood in thenow-completed lobby of the building itself, savoring the moment and knowingthat they’d accomplished the nearly impossible. “I wasn’t sure you’d pull thisoff, but you’ve lived up to your reputation. I’m impressed.”

Devyn touched her glass to Wyatt. “Thank you for saying so. It wasa tall order, but I’m thrilled that I was able to deliver for you.” Because shewas good at what she did, she tossed him a no-sweat smile.

Wyatt pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket, unfolded it, andhanded it to Devyn. “A deal’s a deal.”

She studied the paper, which turned out to be a high-end renderingof a gorgeous building. The lines alone had her drooling. “What’s this?”

“My next project. Eighteen stories. Towering ceilings. Amazingviews. Top-of-the-line finishes. It’s going to blow this town away. It’s allyours.”

“You’re serious?” She blinked.

“You’ve earned it.” He sipped his champagne and lifted the glassin the air. “I think we can do great things if we stick together, Devyn.”

She closed her eyes to enjoy this moment. Nothing got her bloodpumping like a brand-new, beautiful building, and knowing Wyatt had faith inher meant everything. She handed him the rendering. “I love everything thatyou’re saying to me right now. You have no idea how much.”

“Send me the paperwork. Let’s get started.”

Devyn smiled. “I have to decline.”

Wyatt blinked. He wasn’t the kind of guy people turned down. “Whatare you talking about?”

“I have somewhere else I need to be for the next sixty years orso, but can I make a recommendation?” She turned around and spotted Rickychatting with a group near the 3-D model. She signaled for him to join them.“Wyatt, I think you should have a conversation with Ricky. He’s got a lot offantastic ideas I have a feeling you’re going to like.”

Ricky beamed. Wyatt shook his hand.

Devyn smiled at the future stretched out ahead of her. She had alot of work to do, but then she’d never been afraid of hard work.

It was time to get serious.

Chapter Twenty-Two

This shouldbe interesting.

Elizabeth had agreed to the meet-up with Thalia on a last-minutewhim. She’d spent each night alone in her house watchingDatelinemarathons andwondering how she’d gotten so dark. She also looked at husbands a littledifferently now, because had anyone run a ratio report of how many times theywere their wife’s killer? She made a note to tell KC to watch out for Dan justin case. You could never be too careful.

“Hey, there, cutie.” Thalia slid into the cozy little booth at theback of the bar at Ronnie Roo’s. It was a slow Wednesday night, and they hadthe section virtually to themselves. Any other time in her life Elizabeth wouldhave been thrilled about the invite. Tonight, she just wanted to get out of thehouse before husband #293 finally confessed to investigators.

“Hey, Thalia.” She didn’t remember Thalia ever calling hercutiebefore. She went withit. “Good week?”

“Fantastic. The fund-raiser gave the spa some much-neededattention, and I saw a twenty percent uptick in appointments.”

“Very cool.” Elizabeth smiled and bopped her head to the musiccoming in through the speakers above them.

“How about we split a bottle of that Pinot Gris from this littlewinery up north? I heard Ronnie took a shipment after I recommended it. It’sthis charming little place where all the people harvest the grapes in the nudeand live off the land.”

“Interesting. I’ll take a Sam Adams.”

---