Page 15 of Devon

“Have a nice day,” Nic called out as Kelly left the shop.

As soon as a door closed behind her, Nic turned to Devon.“Kelly’s a regular.She comes here every day, and she always gets the same drink.”

“Skimmed milk with three pumps of caramel and three pumps of vanilla.”

Nic nodded.“And cinnamon and chocolate shavings.Now that you know her order, it’ll be easier.”

“Thank you.”

Nic winked and leaned closer.“I’ll help you anytime you need me to.”

Devon couldn’t deny that Nic was handsome.He was just a little older than Devon, and with his dark hair and dark eyes, he was extremely attractive.Devon didn’t have anyone, so technically, it wouldn’t be cheating if he leaned in and flirted back.

He didn’t.He didn’t know how to flirt and wasn’t willing to make a fool of himself, but he also felt like he’d be betraying Ryan, even though the two of them hadn’t seen each other since the day they’d met.

He wondered if Ryan had looked for him.It would make sense, but Devon had been going from the coffee shop to his home without stopping anywhere else.Even at home, he spent as much time as possible in his bedroom, coming out only when Melissa and Haley got too worried.

He hadn’t told Melissa that he had a job.He wanted to because it was something they’d talked about when they lived on the streets, but he was afraid that she’d understand what was happening.He didn’t want to tell her that he was planning on leaving just yet.She’d worry about him even more, and she’d try to change his mind.He didn’t want anyone to do that.

It would be too easy for him to decide to stay.He didn’t have anyone or anything out there in the world.The only people he cared about were in the village, and if things had been different, he wouldn’t even have thought about leaving.

But he couldn’t stay.He couldn’t face Kendrick and Jonas after what had happened and what he’d done.He wouldn’t survive it, and it wouldn’t be fair to them.They deserved to be happy without having to deal with him.

A gentle touch on his cheek made him look up.Nic was frowning and kept his fingers where they were on Devon’s cheek even after he got Devon to look at him.“Everything all right?”he asked.

Devon forced himself to smile.“I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.”

“I’m just tired, you know?All of this is new, and I’m scared I’m going to mess up and that Alex will fire me.”

Nic finally dropped his hand.Devon was both dismayed and relieved.He didn’t want Nic that way, and not only because of Ryan.At the same time, it had felt nice.

“Alex won’t fire you,” Nic said.“You should’ve seen how many times I messed up orders in the beginning.I’m still here, aren’t I?”

“I’m pretty sure you’re only here because Alex would’ve had to do all the work himself otherwise,” Devon teased.He was shocked by the words that came out of his mouth, but it felt good.

He’d never really had friends.He’d been in the foster system since he was a child, but none of the people he’d met there had become friends.He’d been a loner at school, too, and after he’d run away, well, it had been impossible to make friends on the streets.Devon hadn’t trusted anyone until he’d met Melissa and Haley, and the only reason he’d trustedthemwas that Melissa had saved his life and hadn’t demanded anything in return.

Devon didn’t know how to have friends.Maybe Nic wasn’t flirting with him.Maybe this was a normal way to make friends, and Devon needed to relax.Even if Nicwasflirting, it wasn’t like anything had to happen between them, anyway.

Nic’s smile widened.“You’re not wrong.Alex doesnotlike to work the counter.”

Devon couldn’t say that it was his favorite thing, either.He always felt awkward when he had to deal with people, probably due to the way he’d grown up.It wouldn’t stop him from doing what he had to do.This was his job, and he took it seriously.He understood why Alex had been looking for someone to do it for him, though.

“Why are you talking about me instead of working?”Alex said as he emerged from the back room.

Nic bumped his shoulder against Devon’s.“Devon and I were just talking about how good you are at your job.”

Alex didn’t look impressed.“I heard what you said.”

“Was it a lie?”

“You know damn well that it wasn’t.Go clean those tables, Nicholas.”

“I told you to call me Nic,” Nic complained.

“I told you to clean those tables.”

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