Page 53 of The Last Key
I’d laugh at that, but I know she’s one hundred percent serious.
“Hey, babe,” Devon croons, strolling over to me and wrapping an arm around my waist. I swear, the longer he’s around Justin, he starts to pick up some of his southern accent.
Lily goes rigid, eyes massive, and cheeks pink.
“What’s happening right now?” Claire asks.
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it. Lily, why don’t you go see if Cindy needs any help.”
Lily stares for a moment longer, then coughs. “Right. Yeah. I’ll see you later.” She scurries away.
Devon watches in confusion. “Uh, what was that?”
I lower my voice and lean in toward him. “No telling, but she saw the underwear ad you did with Justin back in the day. You had quite the effect on her.”
Claire lets out a loud laugh. “Fucking priceless. At least we know how to shut her up now.”
“Hey, be nice,” I say.
Her brow furrows. “I’m not sure I know what that word means.”
I roll my eyes at her, then look over at Devon. “Did you need something?”
“A kiss,” he says, pressing his lips to mine as Claire makes a gagging noise in the background. “And Justin was hoping you’d help with the reading. He says it’s more entertaining when he hassomeone to read the female parts, and he rejected the idea of me using a high-pitched voice.”
“Tell him I’m in as long as he doesn’t choose a sex scene.”
“I’d kick his ass if he did. I’ll let him know. Love you,” he rumbles, kissing my cheek as he walks away.
I look over my shoulder at him, lost in the gooey feelings I have for him and how perfect his ass looks in the jeans he’s wearing, until Claire pinches my arm.
“Ow. What was that for?”
“You’re obsessed.” My smile does nothing to discourage that thought. “I’m surprised you’re going back to New York.”
“Just for the interview. Do you think I shouldn’t since I’m with Devon?”
“No. You know I’d never tell you that. I want you to pursue whatever future you want. I’m just surprised you still want that, I guess. Ever since you’ve been here, you’ve been stupidly happy. Every time I saw you in New York, you weren’t like this. You’re…” she makes a face, “glowing.”
“Oh. I don’t know about glowing, but I’m having a good time here. It’s a complete change from the rest of my life. That’s part of why I’m going back. I need to see how I feel in the real world, not the Brighton bubble.”
Her brow furrows. “So, you’re going back to see if you can be less happy in New York for a job youmightwant?”
“Jeez. When you say it like that…”
“Look, I’m not trying to discourage you. If you want it, grab it by the balls and go get it. Don’t give up. I guess I was just surprised when you told me because you and Devon are happy as fuck, and while I’m not dying for an epic love story, you two are perfect.” She clears her throat. “I just want you to be happy, wherever that might be.”
“Aw, look at you being sentimental.”
“I hate it. Stop making me do it.”
“I don’t know what New York will bring, but it shouldn’t change things between Devon and me,” I say, though in the pit ofmy stomach, I know it will. If I get that job, I’m not sure what’ll happen. If he’ll move to New York or if we’d have to do long distance for a while. Frankly, I’ve been trying not to think about it since he’s being really supportive and said we’ll figure it out together.
“So he’s willing to move out there?”
I look over my shoulder at where Devon is laughing with Justin, Gladys—who we convinced to come tonight—and his mom.
“Yeah,” I say, turning back to Claire and trying to exude confidence. “I think so.”
