Page 42 of Devlin

He leaned in slightly, his massive body towering over her, and for a moment, she wondered if he would kiss her. Instead, his lips landed on her forehead. The warm, steady pressure made her eyes close, and the tension in her body ebbed away. When he pulled back, she missed his closeness.

He walked to the door, pausing just before stepping out. “Good night, my Mia.”

For the first time in years, the thought of those words didn’t make her chest ache. It wasn’t long before she climbed into bed, fatigue pulling at every muscle. But she reached over to grab her phone. She only hesitated for a moment, the urge to talk to someone who knew it all overpowering all other emotions.

“Hey, sweetie,” her mom greeted. Her voice was warm as always but now held a tinge of caution. “What’s going on?”

“He told me a little about what happened back then. Why he left,” she blurted, then paused before adding, “It wasn’t what I thought had happened. And… well… we’ve agreed to be friends.”

Her mother made a noncommittal noise, one Mia knew well. It was the skeptical hum of a mother who wasn’t buying what her daughter was selling.

“He broke your heart, Mia.” The words were gentle but firm. “You were devastated when he left. Now he’s just back, after what? Ten years? And you think friendship is going to be that easy?”

“No,” Mia said honestly. “But it’s…different now. We’re different.”

Her mother was quiet for a moment, then sighed again. “I always loved Jim. I always thought he was a good man. Until he hurt you.”

Mia’s throat tightened, but she pushed past the emotion. “I know.”

“Be careful, baby,” her mother warned. “I don’t want to see you hurting like that again.”

“I will,” Mia promised, and then, because she couldn’t help herself, she added, “But I can’t shake the feeling that maybe this is a good thing.”

“How so?”

“At the time, all I felt was hurt. But I moved on… lived my life my way on my terms. He did, too. And now, it’s like we’re two different people from who we were back then. Two people who still have a long history.”

Her mother huffed. “We’ll see. I just want you to be sure. To be careful. I don’t want your heart broken again.”

“I know, Mom. Me, too.” She picked at a thread on her blanket. “But I have discovered that I really want him in my life, however that looks.”

“I know you’ll take care of you, sweetie,” her mom said, resignation in her tone. Then a small chuckle sounded. “You know who’ll be thrilled about this?”

Mia already knew the answer. “His mom.”

“Of course. You know how much that woman loved you. If she finds out you two are even breathing the same air again, she’s liable to start planning a wedding.”

Mia laughed despite herself, shaking her head. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Right now, we have to see if the past ten years overshadow everything from our first decade together.”

“I wish you only the best, but trust you to make the right decision for you.”

“I know. And that’s why you’re the best mom in the world, and I love you,” Mia declared, her heart lifting again.

With loving goodbyes, she tossed her phone to the side and slid under the covers. As she lay in bed, replaying the past hours in her head, her heart was strangely at peace.

18

Todd and Cole were still awake when Devlin returned, their sharp gazes locked onto his face when he stepped inside. It only took them a second to read him—his talk with Mia had gone well. Or at least, it hadn’t gone horrible. Both men offered chin lifts and knowing grins.

“Hate to bring you back down to earth,” Cole said, amusement lacing his tone, “but we’ve got plans for tomorrow.”

Devlin sat on the edge of his bed, running a hand over the back of his neck. “What’s up?”

“Casper called,” Cole continued. “Jonan is exactly who he said he was. Ugandan. Served in the military for several years before transitioning into health, welfare, and safety. The WFP currently contracts him for security. No suspicious activity. His finances are clean.”

Devlin nodded, pleased.

Todd added, “He’s offered to take us to Lake Edward tomorrow, and with him cleared, we’re good to go.”

---