Page 43 of Beautiful Dreamer

“Probably wise. Don’t you think? Milkshakes and lightning bugs arehard to fight against. Consider me seduced, and I’m not even kidding aboutthat.” She passed Elizabeth a smile that seemed to hold back a lot, andElizabeth identified. She tried not to think about the night that could havebeen. “But I would love it if you’d walk me out.”

“It would be rude not to.” They walked in silence through thedarkened entryway to the lavender door. “Sorry I can’t drive you home. I’llpick up Shug tomorrow.”

“Luckily, I can handle a few blocks.”

“You could probably sell four condos in that time.”

“No, that’s crazy. Six at least.” Devyn stepped onto the porch andturned, shoving her hands into the front pockets of her jeans. “Thank you fortonight, Elizabeth from high school. It was unexpected.”

“In a good way?” Elizabeth couldn’t resist asking, knowing she’dwonder about it later. She leaned against the doorjamb and waited as warmthmoved up the back of her neck in nervous anticipation.

Devyn nodded. “In a very good way. I look forward to goingoutout with you. Good night,now.”

Devyn headed off down the walk as Elizabeth watched. Nope. Thiswas not a satisfying ending to their evening together. As Devyn turned from thesidewalk onto the street, Elizabeth hurried after her. “For the road,” shesaid, and cradled Devyn’s face in her hands for one last thorough kiss.

When she pulled her face back, Devyn shook her head and bit herbottom lip as if still tasting the sweetness of that kiss. Elizabeth sure was.“You are full of surprises. I keep saying that and then you surprise me again.And then again.”

Elizabeth took a few steps backward, holding eye contact. “Good.”As she made her way back inside, she felt proud of herself, and also moreturned on than she had been in years. She should call KC. Dexter. Somebody shecould report this monumental night to.

No. She touched her thoroughly kissed lips, enjoying the slightswell. She would tuck this away for herself for a little while. It was nice tohave something all her own to take out and examine whenever she wanted.

Tonight? She’d been kissed by a beautiful and sophisticated woman.She skipped like an idiot into the kitchen and turned off the light. She madeher way through the living room, sending the whole house into darkness. Rightthere, in the spot where she usually watched TV and read books, Elizabethhugged herself.

Today had been a good day.

Chapter Thirteen

“We should stop at Amazin’ Glazin’ on the way home,” Jill said, asthey turned the corner onto the produce aisle of Festive Foods, the town’s onegrocery store. Devyn pushed the cart and Jill rode along in one of thosegrocery store–provided scooters that made shopping a breeze. “Do you know how longit’s been since I’ve had one of their chocolate-frosted with peanuts? Sincebefore the accident. That’s too long.”

“Those are the ones Mom used to bring home.” Devyn lifted hershoulders to her ears at the dose of nostalgia. She remembered how the sight ofthat bright yellow box would prompt her to dance around the kitchen in herpajamas because Saturday donuts were a special treat on a single-mom budget.“Done. We’re stopping. My treat. We’ll get two boxes.”

“Well, don’t break the bank on my account.”

Devyn leaned down and placed a smacking kiss on her sister’scheek. “You look super cool on your grocery scooter. Just look at you zoom.”

“Don’t make fun of me. I do not.”

“Do, too. Scooters are trendy these days. Just wait until Charliesees you. He’ll be out of those Levi’s in two point three seconds.”

Jill brought the scooter to an abrupt halt in front of thebananas, which Devyn thought was entirely apropos. Jill blinked fast andfurious before locating words again. “Why are you bringing up Charlie?” Shestared in accusation the way she used to when Devyn borrowed her clotheswithout permission when they were teenagers.

“The question is, why haven’t you?” Devyn walked on innonchalance, pushing the cart down the aisle. She heard the sound of the scooterwhirring to life behind her.

“Why would I mention Charlie? He’s a friend. I have lots offriends, Dev. We don’t talk about them individually just for kicks.”

“A specialbrandof friend, I’d say. Thesmittenkind, if I’m quoting correctly, and I am.” She glanced to the side and saw Jillclose her eyes, acknowledging defeat.

“He told you?” she said.

“He told me.”

Jill turned a ripe shade of red right there next to her kindredspirits, the tomatoes. “It’s not what it sounds like.”

“That you’re getting hot and heavy with the liquor store guy onThursdays? No, I’m sure it’s nothing close to that.” She made a point to smile.It was rare she ever had reason to tease Jill, who was so levelheaded andtogether. How could she pass up this opportunity?

Jill glanced around and edged her scooter closer to Devyn, whowatched in amusement. “Watch yourself with that thing, speed racer.”

Jill ignored her and lowered her voice. “Here’s the thing.Charlie’s a nice guy. That’s really all. And we spend time together, yes. Thatpart is true. Once in a while. On Thursdays.”

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