Page 19 of Waiting for Devon
Anxiety made Devon ill as she prepared for the elaborate affair being held at the Reunion Tower. Forewarned that the press would be present filled her with trepidation. She didn’t want her picture plastered in every major newspaper and social media outlet across the country. If news of her engagement reached Emmaline and Caleb, they would be shocked and hurt.Very hurt.
Expelling her breath, Devon finished applying her makeup and removed hot rollers from her hair. She swept the long curls up and away from her face and arranged them artfully. As soon as she slipped into her elegant evening gown, she found her reflection hard to believe. The low-cut, strapless bodice, intricately woven with strands of white and silver thread, accented her breasts and torso. It tapered into a pure white silk skirt that gently flared over her hips, and a long slit up one side showed to advantage her leg and thigh. Beneath the gown she wore sheer silk stockings and stylish silver stilettos. Around her throat Devon fastened a diamond necklace and added matching earrings Shane had given her.
A slight knock on the door distracted her. “Come in.” When she saw Blair, Devon smiled. “You look lovely tonight. No doubt you’ll be surrounded by every available man at the party.”
“None of whom I would consider dating,” Blair declared. “Look at you, Dr. Brooks. You’re divine. No white lab coat for you this evening. Shane will be envied. Speaking of which, it’s time to go. Do you need any help?”
Devon shook her head. “No. All I need to do is put on my gloves and my silk wrap.”
“All right. I’ll head downstairs and tell Shane you’ll be ready in a minute. He seemed nervous when I saw him earlier.”
I don’t blame him.
As she descended the grand staircase, Devon noticed only Reed waited for her in the foyer. Her gaze locked with his, and her heart leaped and her throat constricted. His deep sapphire eyes devoured every aspect of her appearance, never wavering, and darkened with an undefinable emotion.
“Good evening,” she greeted him in a soft voice. “Where’s Shane?”
“Waiting in the limousine with Dad and Blair. He had to take an important call.” Reed’s tone of voice reflected his displeasure with Shane’s behavior. He held out his arm. “Shall we, Miss Brooks?”
Devon slipped her gloved hand into the crook of Reed’s elbow and basked in his nearness. “Yes, please.”
The press gatheredat Reunion Tower mobbed the Barringtons’ limousine upon its arrival. Cameras flashed as one by one the Barringtons stepped onto the sidewalk. Shane became a romantic gentleman as he held out his hand to help Devon from the limousine. When she appeared in full view, anxious reporters blocked her path and shoved microphones and video cameras at her as they shouted questions.
Although frightened by the experience, Devon maintained her composure as she attempted to answer as many of their inquiries as possible and move toward the lobby of the Reunion Tower at the same time.
“Where did you meet Shane Barrington?” one reporter called from the masses.
“In San Francisco,” came Devon’s short but pleasant reply.
“How does it feel to be engaged to one of the country’s richest bachelors?” another yelled.
“Like a princess,” Devon responded with a soft smile at Shane.
“Do you recall his first words to you?”
“He said he’d been waiting for a woman like me all his life.”
“What about your career? Will you continue to practice medicine?”
“Of course. Practicing medicine means everything to me.”
“Are you planning to practice in Dallas or will you and Mr. Barrington return to San Francisco?”
“We haven’t made any definite plans.”
“When is the wedding?” someone from Channel3 news asked.
“We haven’t set a date yet.”
“Come on, Dr. Brooks, surely you and Mr. Barrington have a time frame in mind?”
Before Shane or Devon could formulate a response, they reached the entrance to the lobby. Jasper turned to face the crowd of reporters and announced in a commanding voice, “The interview is over, ladies and gentlemen. We mustn’t keep our guests waiting.”
Much to Devon’s relief, no member of the press had been invited into the ballroom. She couldn’t imagine being hounded like that all evening.
“You handled yourself well under pressure and honored this family,” Jasper declared in the elevator as they rode it to the top of the tower.
“Devon, you had them eating out of your hand,” Blair added. “You’re the new media darling, and they’ll rave about you.”
