Page 90 of Beautiful Dreamer

“Yes. My heart.” Devyn paused and looked up at the building. “Butthis is the right move for me. I know that now.”

Elizabeth tried to assemble the pieces but came up short. “I don’tunderstand. What about your job, all the million-dollar buildings?”

“Been there. Done that. I may take a listing in the city here andthere, but my day-to-day work can be in the Bay and the surrounding towns. Pokylittle Realtors are great, but maybe what this town needs is someone who canshake it up.”

“Maybe,” Elizabeth said, proactively working to not react to thisnews. This was the woman who’d neglected her, broken her heart, and she wouldnot allow her in a second time. She couldn’t. “I guess it will be nice to havea new friend in town.” She made a point to emphasize the word.

“Just a friend?” Devyn raised a sculpted eyebrow. The question,clear as day, hung in the air between them.

“Yep,” Elizabeth said, using Devyn’s shoulder to stand. “You cannever have too many of those. Good luck with the new business.” She glancedover her shoulder at the two-story structure. “I have a feeling a lot of folksare going to be thrilled with your services.”

“I hope you’re one of them.”

“Is that a euphemism? Because I’m over those. Been there. Donethat, ya know?” She was finding her strength again, and held on to it.

Devyn blinked at the blow and stood, reminding Elizabeth how wellshe filled out that damned business suit. “Well, I don’t fault you. Maybe overtime I can change your mind.”

Elizabeth simply shook her head, leaving Devyn and the power sheonce carried on the curb behind her.

* * *

Devyn had expected business to start slow and pick up over time asshe established a presence in Dreamer’s Bay. That had not been the case. Infact, since she’d opened her doors in early September, nearly three weeks agonow, a steady stream of calls and walk-ins had prompted her to hire areceptionist sooner rather than later. Barb, who now sat in the small lobby ofthe building, seemed to be the most qualified.

“Ms. Winters, would you like to see today’s paper?” Barb askedfrom the doorway. She was likely in her sixties, with a cheerful dispositionand the ability to type seventy-two words per minute with a pencil in her hair.The fact that she’d once known Devyn’s mother also carried a lot of weight. Thepartnership somehow seemed ordained. Not only that, but Barb knew every soulwho walked in the door and could give Devyn a heads-up about who she wasdealing with.

“Sure, I’ll take the paper. I have a little time before my tena.m., right?”

“Quite true,” Barb said and carried over that day’s edition. “Butremember what I told you about Mr. Reynolds, the ten a.m.”

“I will. Indecisive, but loaded. I will keep those facts tuckedaway.”

“And he likes food, so I’m having donuts picked up and deliveredby On the Spot. After all, you said the more we use them, the better.”

Devyn grinned. “Perfect. I’m glad you’re calling on them so much.”She’d made it part of her plan to use Elizabeth’s company as much as possible,which would hopefully give them a little face time. She had a lot of ground toearn back after the way she’d behaved, but she vowed to spend each and everyday making it up to Elizabeth, if she would only give her the chance. For thefood deliveries and courier services she’d ordered, Elizabeth had sent one ofher younger employees each time, thereby dodging run-ins with Devyn. Today,however, it was Elizabeth walking up the sidewalk with a box from Amazin’Glazin’.

Devyn stood and smoothed her white blazer. She’d found she couldgo more casual in the Bay and had swapped out her dress pants for a dark pairof jeans and modest heels. Professional, but approachable.

“Hey, Barb,” Elizabeth said from the lobby. “You called in a deliveryorder for a combo dozen?”

Barb tossed her hand up in celebration of Elizabeth’s arrival.“Yep. Special client coming in this morning.”

Elizabeth leaned in. “Let me guess. Moneybags Reynolds.”

“That would be the one.”

Devyn came around the front of her desk and smiled through theopen French doors. Seeing Elizabeth already made her day ten times better, andit had already felt pretty great. “Hey.”

“Hi. Look at you, all settled in.” Elizabeth was at leastattempting to be friendly, which was something. She walked the expanse ofDevyn’s large office with the high ceilings and picture windows. “Wow. Thenatural light in here is beautiful.”

Devyn nodded. “I had the windows put in two weeks ago.”

Elizabeth smiled. “It’s perfect.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

“Anything.”

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