Page 91 of Beautiful Dreamer

“Maybe someday I could set up an appointment to talk about officespace. I’m not in any real hurry but looking to upgrade from the garage. Wasgoing to ask McCurdy but—”

“He moved to Charleston.”

“Right. So, would you be willing? Maybe in a month or two.”

Devyn met Elizabeth’s gaze and held it. “More than willing. Ialready have a couple of ideas.” Then she remembered herself. “Oh, and I gotyou something.”

“You did?” Her brow furrowed.

Devyn opened the top drawer of her desk and pulled out a smallbox. “I was shopping the other day at the outdoor market off the Circle, sawthis, and thought of you.” She handed Elizabeth the square box with the ribbon.“With autumn pretty much here, I thought you could maybe use one of those.”

Elizabeth opened the box to reveal a purple and black checkeredscarf that would look amazing on her. She stared at it and held it in her handsfor a moment, her expression unreadable. “Purple.” Was that a sigh? “This wasvery thoughtful. You shouldn’t have done it, but thank you all the same.”

“She’s wooing you,” Barb sang.

Elizabeth glanced from Barb to Devyn and appeared nervous, whichmade total sense. She was surely terrified of Devyn after how she’d behaved,and had every right to be. Who wants to open themselves up to heartbreak twicein a row? Now it was up to her to put in the time and prove to Elizabeth thatshe knew what she wanted and wasn’t going anywhere ever again. She’d play thelong game if she had to, because women like Elizabeth Draper didn’t come aroundtoo often, or ever, and she was not going to blow her chance a second time. Herstubborn, stupid head had already gotten in the way once.

“Want to grab a drink sometime this week?” she asked as casuallyas possible.

“I’m slammed, sadly, but you guys enjoy those donuts. Make sureMoneybags buys lots of property.”

“That’s the goal,” Devyn said quietly, and watched as the mostwonderful woman in the world left to go about her day.

They saw each other here and there over the next few weeks. In asmall town, it was hard not to run into each other. Devyn wasn’t complaining.She used each opportunity to steal a few extra moments with Elizabeth to hearabout her day or what Scout had gotten into, often the trash. The most recentrun-in happened at the enormous pumpkin patch the Bay set up each October.Devyn lined up for a cup of warm cider behind Elizabeth, realizing that shecouldn’t have planned it better herself. The weather was gorgeous, the pumpkinsextra orange and cheerful, and the air held excitement for the new season.

“You’re buying a pumpkin?” Elizabeth asked, dubious.

“I’m buying two, actually. Wouldn’t want one to be lonely. They’llbe a pair.”

“That’s a nice idea.” Elizabeth nodded. “Make sure the second onesticks around, though. Knows how to use a phone.”

Devyn sighed at the obvious reference. “I will stay on top ofthat.”

They shuffled forward in line. Elizabeth finally glanced back ather. “That’s nothing like you.”

“What isn’t?”

“Pumpkin buying.”

Devyn pulled her face back. “I’m a person, you know. Peoplecongregate with other people and partake in holiday traditions.”

“No. You don’t get involved with little things. You’re a bigger-picturetype of person. Why are you different?”

Devyn scoffed. “People can change. I work on it every day,actually.”

That seemed to snag Elizabeth’s attention. She absently chewed onher bottom lip. Turned around in line and then back again, as if she simplycouldn’t resist. “I know people can change. Of course I know that.”

“You just don’t think I can.” Devyn held up a hand. “It’s okay.You don’t have to. Plus, the slower pace at work is actually really nice. Givesme time to focus on things like finding myself a good pair of pumpkins. Ialready have a few contenders.”

Elizabeth turned back and faced the cider truck, appearinguninterested. Again, it didn’t last. She whirled back around. “What is going onwith you? I mean, specifically.” Her eyebrows were pulled in and her lips weretight in an accusatory manner. Devyn didn’t mind getting under her skin.Anything was an improvement over silence, and it meant that she still affectedElizabeth.

She shrugged. “Nothing is going on with me. I’m just living my life,trying to enjoy myself more. Take in the little things.” She looked skyward.“If I remember correctly, that’s what someone once thought I should do. Turnsout, she was pretty wise, and I’m feeling lighter by the day.”

“Good for you,” Elizabeth said with forced cheer. “You seemlighter. Happy, even.” She turned back around for a final time.

“That’s the goal.”

Oh, yeah. Devyn was making an impression.

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