Page 104 of When Alec Met Evie
His jaw flexes, and a flash of uncertainty passes over his expression. “Not long. Twenty minutes or so. Yourboyfriendrefused to let me inside.”
A million emotions pass through me at once. Gratitude for Alec, because I know he must have recognized I would want to introduce Juno to Devon on my own terms. Also worry for Alec, because I can only imagine what Devon said to him.
“I’m glad he refused,” I say. “He knows this is my house. I’m the one who gets to decide how welcome you are.”
“That’s why I waited,” Devon said. “I’m sorry for sounding so defensive. It’s still hard for me to imagine you with someone else.” He takes a step closer and reaches for my hand with a familiarity that makes my skin crawl.
I yank my hand back.
Devon slips his hands into his pockets, undeterred. “Can I come in, Evie? Can we have a real conversation?” He glances toward the house. “In private?”
I almost ask how he knows about me and Alec, but I haven’t exactly kept it a secret. Even though Parker didn’t post the thirst trap picture of Alec and Juno, she did post another of all three of us. After we walked through the party together, touching, kissing each other hello and goodbye, there was all kinds of online chatter about our relationship. At least according to Parker. I doubt very seriously that Devon follows the Appies, but someone in our shared circle probably does. It’s easy to imagine a mutual friend finding out and giving him the heads up.
“Did you drive here, Devon?”
He shakes his head. “I got a rideshare from the airport.”
I almost groan out loud because that does not make this situation easier. “Okay. Then, can you take a walk around the block for me? Just…give me a few minutes?”
“Evie, I’ve been sitting in the cold for almost an hour. It’s forty degrees out here.”
I love how histwenty minutesturned into an hour in the three minutes we’ve been standing here talking.
“Please, Devon? Or take my car. Go drive up and down Maple Street. It’s pretty this time of year. The Christmas lights are up.”
“Fine,” he says through a grumble. “I’ll go for a drive.” He holds out his hand, and I give him my keys. I wait on the porch until he’s backed out of the driveway, then I open the front door and step inside.
Alec is sitting in the living room, but he stands as soon as he sees me come in. “Are you okay?” he asks, moving toward me and pulling me into his arms. “What did he say to you? Is he still here?”
His hands slide up and down my arms like he’s checking me over, making sure I’m whole and okay.
“I’m fine,” I say. “He’s going for a drive. But he’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Understanding passes over Alec’s expression. “You had him leave so I would have time to go.”
I sigh. “I don’t want you to go. But I think it will be easier to have the conversation I need to have with him alone.”
He runs a hand through his hair. “I’m sure you’re right, even if I really don’t like it.” He huffs out a humorless laugh. “Do you know what he said to me when I opened the door?”
I cringe because I can only imagine what it was. “Tell me.”
“He said, ‘Hey man, I’m Devon. Nice to meet you. Thanks for holding my spot.”
I gasp. “He did not.”
“He did,” Alec says. “And I didn’t punch him.”
“I kinda wish you had,” I say.
It suddenly occurs to me that I haven’t seen Juno yet. “Where’s Juno?”
“Still sleeping,” Alec says. “She fell asleep around four.”
I nod. “Yikes. Okay. That means she’ll probably wake up any minute.” I groan. “I would really love for her to be asleep. At least until I figure out what he wants.”
“Hey,” Alec says, reaching out and putting his hands on my shoulders. “What if I just stay? I’ll stay in Juno’s room. Have a bottle at the ready. If she wakes up, I can feed her and keep her until you’re ready for her.”
My heart thumps against my ribs. This man is so good.So. incredibly. good.
