Page 61 of Deal Takers

I shrug. “I don’t know…not long. Please don’t say anything, Dev. We don’t want to make a big deal out of nothing. We’re just scratching an itch. That’s all.”

She narrows her eyes. “Rainey, that’s doesn’t sound like?—”

“Hey, sis,” Drew interrupts, “can I fire up the grill now? I’m fucking starving.”

Oh, thank Jesus, I could kiss him right now! I give him a friendly pat on the back instead. “Great idea, Drew! I’ll help!”

“Sweet! You get started on the corn, and I’ll take care of the ribs.”

I start digging through the refrigerator. “I’m on it.”

“Rainey,” Devyn scolds in her best mom voice.

I hold my hand up to stop her lecture. “Not now, Dev. Drew and I have to feed the locals before they get hangry. We’ll talk later.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “This conversation isn’t over.”

“Trust me. I know I’m not that lucky.”

The six of us eat, drink, and share plenty of laughter for the next few hours. Brody and I stay about as far away from each other as possible without looking suspicious. He sends me a text as he gets into his car, telling me to meet him at his place since we took separate cars. I try not looking too anxious as I make my way to the door.

Devyn walks me to the front stoop. “I mean it, Lorraine. We’re having a long talk tomorrow.”

“Yes, Mother,” I deadpan. “Good night.”

Now I just need to figure out what the hell I’m going to say to her before then.

CHAPTER 40

Rainey

“Spill,” Devyn commands.

You didn’t really think she’d let it slide, did you?I wasn’t surprised in the least when I found her waiting inside my apartment when I got home from work. Thank God I was alone.

“I don’t understand what the big deal is,” I say. “It’s completely casual andtemporary.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m going to call bullshit on that.”

I raise my eyebrows. Here’s the thing. Devyn rarely swears. And when I say rarely, I meanalmostnever. If she’s busting out the four-letter words, you know she means business.

“Can I at least shower and change before we have this conversation?”

“Go right ahead. Riley and Nate are having a daddy/son night, so I haveplenty of timeto wait.”

“Yay!” I cheer mockingly.

I get cleaned up and put on my proverbial big girl panties before joining her on the couch. As I sit, the light reflects off theshiny rockon her left hand.

I grab it. “What the hell? When did this happen?”

Her face morphs into a smile. “Last night after everyone left.”

“Oh, honey, I’m so happy for you.”

She points a stern finger at me. “A, thank you. B, you’re going to be my maid-of-honor whether you like it or not, and C, don’t think you’re getting out of this conversation about Brody.”

“I’dloveto be your maid-of-honor, Dev.”

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