Page 67 of Beautiful Dreamer

Devyn covered her face. “Uh-uh.”

“Hot D? Spicy D? Demolition D.”

“Not even a little bit. No.”

“I think it’s an honest-to-goodness nickname sensation.”

“At the very least.” Devyn glanced at the driveway through theopen door. “Let’s get outta here. Go for a drive. Pretend we have everythingfigured out.”

Elizabeth eyed her and glanced at the desk. “I have scheduling tofinish. You, of all people, being the self-aware workaholic that you are, probablysympathize.”

She gathered her blond hair into a bunch and let it drop. “I’llwait over there.” Devyn took a seat in the deep purple arm chair across fromElizabeth’s desk, picked up that day’s edition ofThe Dreamer’s Bay Tribune, and pretendedto immerse herself.

Hesitantly, very aware of Devyn’s presence, Elizabeth continued topencil in job requests that had come in via the porthole she’d had set uponline—the portion of technology she’d embraced—for her clients and beganmatching up tasks to appropriate employees. Drake would be perfect for the lawnmowing Mrs. Davidson needed. KC could handle picking up the Dawson kids fromsoccer practice. She would be more than happy to bring two Big Macs for lunchthe next day to Mr. Ivers, who’d at least taken a few days off from fast food.She glanced up to see Devyn grinning.

“What?” Elizabeth asked. “What’s so amusing?”

“You’re cute when you work. You get so serious and there’s alittle line that forms right here.” Devyn gestured to the spot in the middle ofher forehead. She shrugged. “I like it.”

“You do?” Elizabeth was caught off guard, but in the best way. Shefelt warmth on her cheeks as she worked, enjoying the quiet company, andDevyn’s appreciation. “What are you reading about?” she finally asked, somefifteen minutes later.

Devyn peeked at her over the top of the open paper. “Well, you’renot going to believe this, but RayEllen Mink has been bowling for over thirtyyears, and is now in first place in the seniors league. She might lose herstanding, though, if she can’t work on picking up the three-ten split more ofthe time.”

Elizabeth nodded. “RayEllen is not to be messed with. I wasactually excited when she moved up to the seniors league.”

Devyn went back to her paper and then peeked back over the top.“Will you wear your bowling shirt for me later?” She bounced her eyebrows.

“No, because you’re making fun of me.”

“You in a bowling shirt and wearing not another stitch of clothingis nothing to make fun of. God, now I can’t get that image out of my head.Dammit. I did this to myself.”

Elizabeth sucked in a breath. “Maybe we can revisit the issuelater.”

“Thank God.” She dropped the paper. “Ready for our drive? Maybe wecan even swing by the bowling alley. You can show me your skills.”

Elizabeth found the keys to Shug in the top drawer of her desk andtossed them to Devyn. “Lead the way.”

Chapter Seventeen

With vintage Stones blaring from the speakers, Devyn drove themalong the shoreline, windows down, the last of the sunshine filling the truck.Their hair blew around with wild abandon as Devyn accelerated on the open road,and Elizabeth stared out at the waves. “No time of day is this beautiful,” shesaid. “Just look out there.”

Devyn did, taking in the golden glow that enveloped mosteverything as the sun crept to bed. Beneath it, the tide rolled in, encroachingon the beachgoers, who moved their towels and shrugged into hoodies as theevening temperatures crept in. “There really is nothing like it.”

It was officially summer in South Carolina, and with schoolgetting out, the town would see more and more visitors renting houses,apartments, and guest cottages. The boogie board place near the beach that soldkey chains, T-shirts, and snorkel gear would bask in the glory of the impendingsummer rush. Devyn remembered the summer culture all too well and surprisedherself with the excitement she felt. Well, until she realized she likelywouldn’t be a part of it.

Since when did she care about missing anything in Dreamer’s Bay?So much new was happening.

“Do you go in the water much?” Devyn asked.

Elizabeth looked over at her, and the sun caught those green eyesand amplified their color. “Maybe once or twice over the course of a givensummer. I’m more of a likes-to-sit-and-stare-at-the-water kinda girl.”

“I get that about you.” Devyn paused as an image settled. “Abottle of wine with you on the beach at sunset would be nice.” And now she wasromanticizing the place. But Devyn shoved down that voice in her head andenjoyed the newfound inclination, because it felt refreshing and more naturalthan she would have guessed.

“I’d love that.” Elizabeth hung an arm out the window of Shug theTruck. “Though I might smuggle in a beer.”

“Of course you would. I would be shocked if you didn’t.” Becauseshe simply wanted to, Devyn leaned over and stole a quick kiss beforerefocusing on the road. “Where to next?”

“I gave you the keys, remember?” Elizabeth, the tour organizer,had given her control.

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