“How do I look?” Devin asked as we got out of the car.
I smoothed out his hair and straightened his tie. “How about me?”
“Beautiful as always.”
I blushed then smoothed out my dress, avoiding his penetrating gaze. We walked inside and gave the hostess Mitch’s name for the reservation.
“Michael will be your server. He will show you to your table.”
“There should be another couple,” Devin said. “They should be here soon.”
“I will make sure they get to the right table.”
“Thank you.” Our server walked up and showed us to our table and went to the kitchen with our drink order.
“You think anyone can tell we just had, you know?” I asked.
“Sex?” Devin clarified. “I hope not.”
“Mitch will probably be distracted anyway.”
“I’ll be distracted with what?” Mitchell asked as he and Megan walked up to the table. They sat down next to each other.
“Oh, the whole situation earlier,” I said, surprised they had arrived so shortly after we got there. I looked over at Devin and saw he wore an expression of relief. We had made it just in time.
“So what have you two been doing? Sorry it took so long, traffic was a nightmare.”
I blushed and looked down while Devin cleared his throat. “We were just enjoying the ride in my car.”
I nearly choked on the water the waiter had brought to the table.
Devin slapped my back a few times. “Drink slowly. We can’t have you choking on your birthday.”
“I’m fine, thanks,” I said, clearing my throat a few times.
The waiter walked up at the same time, preventing Mitchell or Megan from saying anything. We gave him our order, something easily done since we were creatures of habit and ordered the same thing every time we came here.
While we waited for our food to arrive, we talked about nothing important like work and Larissa and Zach, whom Megan wanted to know more about. Mitchell even asked about how it was for Devin being at the house. He just responded nonchalantly, giving Mitchell details on how he cooked dinner and even told him about the episode of the show they missed.
“I know you have to leave, but we have something for you before you go.” Mitch leaned down to grab a package I didn’t even see them bring in.
I took the wrapped box and opened it.
“I hope you like it.” Megan smiled.
I smiled back and then looked down and was almost at a loss of words. An iPod!
“I know it’s not an iPhone, but it’s not time for an upgrade yet,” Mitch said apologetically.
“It’s okay. I don’t care. I finally feel like I’m moving up in the world of technology. I mean this is awesome, guys.”
“We didn’t get the iTouch because the guy in the store said this one held more music and had more functions than people realized,” Mitch said.
“Yeah, it has a radio, it’s even able to take pictures and high-quality video, and record audio,” Megan added.
I smiled. “You don’t have to sell it to me, guys. I love it. I actually have an Apple product!” I showed Devin the iPod my brother and now sister-in-law had bought me.
“It’s nice. Now you can listen to commercial-free music at work.”
He was right. I always complained about the radio and its many commercials. Now I could just plug my speakers into my iPod and listen to the music I liked whenever I liked. I stood up and hugged Mitch first and then Megan. “I’m sure you had a lot to do with this, so thanks, sis.”
Her eyes glistened as she pulled away.
“You better go,” Mitch said. “I’ve got it from here.”
“See you two later.” Devin clamped Mitchell on the back and then gave Megan a quick hug. “And might I add wedded bliss suits you both.”
Megan blushed and Mitchell smiled broadly. “Get out of here,” Mitch said, waving us away.
We walked out of the restaurant, hand in hand. “What did you say to Megan? She looked like she was about to cry.”
“I just thanked her and called her sis.”
“You always know what to say and when to say it. Now, let’s go get some dessert, shall we?”
“Are Larissa and Zach really having dessert with us?”
“Would I lie?”
I gave him a pointed look.
“Hey, I never lied to your brother. I gave him a truthful answer. I really did enjoy the ride in my car.”
I shook my head. “You told him work texted you and you had to leave.”
“Fine, let me rephrase my statement. I’ve never lied to you—well, maybe I have a few times. But I’ve never lied to you when you ask me straight questions.”
“Right, you said you’d always give me an honest answer to anything I asked. But what exactly have you lied about then?”
“You’ll see, when we get to the restaurant.” We arrived at a place I’d never heard of, but considering there was valet parking, I assumed it was a classy place.
“Good thing I wore something nice. We might not have been able to get in.”
Devin chuckled and led me inside.
“Names?” the woman behind the counter asked.
“Devin Malone and Christy Walsh. We’re here with Jack and Jill.”
The hostess was looking down the list and nodded her head. “Of course, right this way.” She walked us personally through the restaurant to the back.
“Devin! Christy! You made it,” Larissa said excitedly.
“Of course they did,” Zach said. He shook Devin’s hand and kissed my cheek. “How are you two?”
“Good. Just came from dinner with my family,” I said, sitting down across from them. Devin sat next to me, closer than he had at dinner.
“Dinner with the family, did you survive?” Zach asked Devin.
He smiled. “Christy’s family loves me. Her brother is my best friend.”
“And my sister is obsessed with him,” I added.
“That must be weird,” Larissa said. “Oh, is that why you were keeping your relationship a secret?”
Devin and I looked at each other and said together, “Yes.”
We talked a little while longer before we ordered. It wasn’t long before it was brought out and Larissa and Zach were wishing me a happy birthday with their own a capella song they had made up.
People in the restaurant clapped when they were done and I couldn’t help but clap along with them. “Thanks, guys. That was awesome.”
“We got you something too,” she said. I took the small box they handed me and opened it. “Tickets and backstage passes for Josh Groban. Devin said he’s one of your favorites.”
I smiled. “Yeah, he is! Thank you so much. This is really amazing. I’ve been trying to get tickets since it was first announced. How did you guys get these?”
“We have our connections. Just go and tell us how much fun you had,” Larissa said.
“Wow. Thanks. This is amazing.”
Devin smiled and pulled a card out of his jacket pocket. “I also got you something. Though it’s more like something I owe you.”
I opened it up and before I could read what he wrote, a gift card dropped into my lap. I put it on the table and was shocked at what it was. “A two hundred dollar gift card to Staples?” I asked, looking over at Devin.
“You won our bet, remember? Besides you didn’t specify it had to be cash.” He smiled.
“You’re just lucky I love Staples.”
“You could probably use it to help buy yourself a new computer.”
“You could have bought her a computer. What an unromantic gift,” Larissa said.
I laughed at her comment. “Staples actually is my favorite place to shop,” I said and suddenly it was like a light bulb went off. I turned to Devin. “You knew!”
“Knew what?”
“Don’t play games with me, Devin Malone. I’m asking you straight out. Did you know the answer when I asked you the othe
r day about my favorite place to shop?”
Devin remained silent a few more seconds then finally spoke up, “Yes. I also know your favorite chocolate is Ghirardelli’s peppermint bark, but it only comes out around the holidays. So you buy all that you can find and try and make it last as long as possible.”
My mouth was open in shock, and I was unable to say anything. He knew. He knew everything. My heart was flipping in my chest as I stared at the one guy who knew me better than anyone.
“Now that is super cute.” Larissa’s voice penetrated my thoughts.
“I guess I owe you a thirty-minute massage now,” I said.
He smiled. “No, still only twenty. I answered them wrong.”
“On purpose,” I told him.
“It still counts.”
I shook my head and took a bite of the dessert I had ordered.
We talked some more, Larissa asking questions mostly and Devin answering a majority of them. It was late when we finally finished.
“I should get you home. You have work and school tomorrow,” Devin said.
We thanked Larissa and Zach and headed out to the car. “Thanks, Dev, for the gift.”
“You’re welcome, but that’s not your real gift. That’s just something I owe you. I still owe you dinner wherever you want, though.”
“Maybe Wednesday after my appointment.”
“It’s a date.”
“So what’s my real gift?” I asked as we made our way out of the parking lot.
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
He dropped me off in front of the house, kissing me simply on the lips.
Chapter Thirteen
It was strange to wake up alone, let alone walk downstairs and have to make my own coffee. I missed the routine Devin and I had naturally fallen into over the past week. Devin always had my coffee ready for me and my cereal out on the table.
It was weird to walk into the kitchen and be greeted by my brother reading the paper, my sister eating her cardboard, and Megan huddled over what looked like work files. Devin wasn’t there smiling at me as he handed me my cup of coffee, he wasn’t there to kiss me goodbye either. To make things even more disturbing, I hardly received a response when I announced I was leaving. I mean, come on, people! We haven’t seen each other for a week. Granted, we probably needed that time away from each other, but still.
It was like they didn’t even notice me. I almost blurted out that Devin always paid attention to me in the mornings when I was leaving, but I managed to keep my mouth shut.
I decided to text Devin on the way to work and let him know my feelings, shocker since I hardly ever spoke about my feelings to friends or family, let alone my own psychologist.
It was strange without you this morning.
Hey Beautiful.
I was just thinking about you.
I missed you too.
—————————————————-
Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone
Who else you talking to? Oh, and I didn’t say
I missed you, just that it was strange without you.
But I suppose I missed you.
I had no pre-made cup of coffee.
I didn’t realize all I was good for was a cup of coffee.
—————————————————-
Sent from your personal coffee maker
Yes! That means you have to come over every morning.
You would have to wake up even earlier.
Or we could just sleep in the same place.
You would get your coffee maker and
I would get you.
PS. I’m talking to your brother.
—————————————————-
Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone
You really make an effort to change your signature then.
I think I would just have a different one occasionally.
And why are you talking with my brother?
Not a different signature for every text?
I do try my hardest to make it interesting for you.
—————————————————-
Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone
By this time I had safely arrived at work—considering the fact that I was texting virtually the whole way—and walked through the doors heading straight for my desk. I set my things down and even opened the blinds before noticing the package on my desk. It was wrapped in a beautiful black and white flower printed pattern with a red bow stuck to the top. I knew exactly whom it was from. Nevertheless I pulled off the card and opened it.
To my CJ, because you need it and because I
want to give it to you. Happy birthday.
Love,
Prince Charming
I laughed at what he had written and tore open the paper, excited to see what he bought me. I gasped as I beheld the box. It was a top-of-the-line computer. I couldn’t believe it. First an iPod, then a computer?
You didn’t!!!!!!
I can’t believe you bought me a computer!!!!
Really.
I’m not sure I can accept it.
I’m not taking it back, CJ.
It’s yours whether you like it or not.
—————————————————-
Sent from someone happy to give you such a gift
It’s so expensive though.
You’re incredible, Dev.
How can you afford this?
By the way, I really like the red bow.
I knew you would. Red is your favorite.
The lady at the store thought I was
strange for not choosing a black or white bow.
—————————————————-
Sent from someone who knows just what you like
I’ve stuck the bow on the side of my computer.
Cute. And to answer your previous question:
I can afford it because I work for a successful
studio doing a job that makes me lots of money.
—————————————————-
Sent from a rich guy who can afford to spoil you
Do you only spend your money spoiling me?
Yes. At least recently I have. You are the only person
worth spending money on, besides myself, of course.
—————————————————-
Sent from a generous guy
I almost asked him who was worth his money before me, but I decided I didn’t want to know. Instead I opened the box and marveled at the newness of the sleek computer. I lifted the lid and saw a note posted on the screen.
Everything is set up for you. I had your files transferred from your old computer.
The password to log in is: Thanks, Dev
I smiled and typed the password as the login screen popped up. Immediately the screen flashed and the home screen came into view. I looked at the finder window to see that Devin had in fact transferred all my files.
How did you get my old computer
and transfer all the files?
I grabbed it Saturday and did it that night.
Then I came to visit Mitch Sunday
when he was at work to drop off the present.
—————————————————-
Sent from a super sleuth
Haha. Yes, you are very sneaky.
Thank you, Dev. I really love it.
I’m glad you love it. I wish I
was there to see you smile as
you discover everything about it.
—————————————————-
I love your smile
Right about that time, Mitchell and Megan began to walk up the pathway to the front entrance. I looked around at the flowers in vases and decided there was nothing I could do now. If Mitch hadn’t noticed before, he surely would. There was no way to hide them. Even worse, I realized people who work
ed with Mitch and Megan believed me to be dating Devin. It was going to be a nightmare. There was no way out of this.
You left me in an impossible situation.
M&M are coming in and the whole
office is going to tell them about us.
We didn’t think this completely through.
Calm down, it will be okay. If Mitch questions you,
just stall for now. Tell him they were mistaken and
only thought we were together. I’ll think of something
in the meantime.
—————————————————-
Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone
Megan was the first to say something when they walked through the door. “Wow, where’d you get all the flowers?”
“They’re my favorite. I just got a new bouquet every day while you were gone.” It was the truth, though I didn’t get them myself.
“What a treat,” Mitch said. “You never buy yourself anything.”
I blushed, knowing what he said was the truth and knowing just exactly who bought the flowers. Megan eyed me suspiciously, but thankfully she didn’t say anything more on the subject.
“I better go,” she said. “I have a ton a work to do.”
“Bye, sweetheart,” Mitch said and I witnessed their quick kiss before they walked to their offices.
They didn’t question the flowers.
And they didn’t see the computer either.
Let’s see if anyone says anything to them.
Good to hear. I’m glad you don’t have
to defend yourself especially on your own.
—————————————————-
Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone
Are you busy?
Fairly busy. I have to keep Rob and
Terry updated on my progress and
My Brother's Best Friend Page 15