Page 155 of Love in Riverbend
“We like one another.”
“Shit, Devan. Tell me this is a poorly timed April fool’s joke. It’s fucking June.”
“It’s not,” I say. “I like Justin. He likes me. We’re adults. We’re dating.” As I finish speaking, we both turn to the sound of the screen door slamming.
“Come on in, Justin,” my mom says on the first level.
“Ricky?” I question.
My brother pushes past me, determination filling his expression as he heads for the kitchen.
Chapter 21
Justin
As I enter the Dunns’ home, I attempt to stop their screen door from slamming. The damn thing has done it for thirty years. I’m not sure why I think I can stop it now or why I care. Turning, I see Janet Dunn. “Hi,” I say, as the door slams. “Sorry.” My stomach rumbles at the delicious aroma filling this kitchen.
Janet waves her hand. “Come on in, Justin. That old door is better than any alarm system. If I didn’t hear it slam ten times a day, I’d think my hearing would need checking.” She comes closer to me.
My pulse speeds, and I’m pretty sure perspiration is forming on my brow.
“I’m glad you could come to dinner.”
She’s acting odd.
Weird.
She knows.
“Have you spoken with Devan?” I ask.
“I have. She’s my daughter.”
Inhaling, I debate about explaining my intentions—that they’re good. I’d never do anything to hurt her daughter. Devan is amazing, and I want to spend time with her. When we’re apart, she’s all I think about. When we’re together, I think of ways to make her happy. It’s all new, but I promise I’ll never intentionally hurt her.
Before I can get what would undoubtedly be another session of word-vomit to come forth, Mrs. Dunn speaks again. “You’re a good man, Justin. Jack and I want nothing more than our children’s happiness.”
“I want her to be happy, too.”
We both turn at the pounding of footsteps coming from the back stairs. Ricky’s wingspan allows him to hold both side walls of the stairwell as he stops at the bottom. His eyes are on me, and there’s no doubt in my mind he knows why I’m at dinner.
“The fuck?” my best friend growls.
“Ricky,” Janet scolds.
I steady my voice. “I wanted to tell you.”
Devan appears behind Ricky. If my goal is to make her happy, I can guess by the expression on her face that I’m failing.
“Outside,” Ricky says.
“Really?” Devan yells.
Ricky barely gives her a look as he storms past me through the door, leaving us with a slam.
I turn to Devan and feign a smile. “It seems to be going well so far.” She’s sexy and sweet all rolled into one. A bra strap is barely showing from beneath her Riverbend tank top. Her jean shorts accentuate her perfect ass without being too short. The white tennis shoes she’s wearing fail at giving her extra height. Her soft brown eyes are stunning, and her hair is braided as it was yesterday.
Devan’s scowl morphs to a smile as she comes toward me. Laying her hand on my arm, she makes eye contact. Oh fuck. She wants to kiss. Right here. In front of her mother.
