Page 16 of Devon

Nic huffed, but both he and Alex were trying not to smile.They weren’t quite successful, and Devon had to look away so he wouldn’t laugh.

Nic and Alex were one of the reasons he liked working there.He had no idea what he was doing, but those two were always willing to help.He didn’t spend a lot of time with Alex, but Alex was a good boss and person.He might be grumpy, but deep inside, he was nice.

Nic moved to obey Alex’s order.Devon expected Alex to vanish back into his office, but instead, he hovered there for a few moments.He watched Nic, and Devon looked around, needing to do something with his hands.He didn’t think that Alex cared when he and Nic took small breaks during the day, but Devon wanted to show him that he was doing his job.

“How are things going?”Alex eventually asked.

“Great.”

“You’re working the counter.Things can’t be great.”

This time, Devon did chuckle.“They’re fine, really.Most people are nice and don’t mind that I’m still in training.Nic’s there to help me whenever I need him to.I’m doing okay.”

Alex nodded.“Good.Remember that you can talk to me if you need anything.”

He’d told Devon that the day Devon had come in to sign his contract.Devon had thought he was saying it just to say something, but now, he didn’t think that was the case.Alex seemed to really care about Nic and even Devon, even though they’d just met.

Leaving everyone behind would break Devon’s heart, wouldn’t it?

* * * *

“WE’RE OUT OF EGGS ANDmilk,” Ryan called out as he stared into the fridge.He wasn’t sure where Kendrick was, but he heard him because he appeared a few moments later.

“Jonas strikes again,” he said with a groan.

Ryan bit his lower lip.After their chat on the couch, he’d needed some space, so he’d decided he would go to the kitchen and poke around to find something to cook for dinner.Jonas was still in bed, but he’d be awake soon.It looked like he’d have to answer for his crime of finishing the milk when he did.

“I’ll go to the store,” Kendrick said, already turning.

“Would it be okay if I went instead?”Ryan asked.

Kendrick turned to look at him.“Of course.Do you know where the grocery store is?”

“I don’t, but you’re about to tell me.”

“I’ll do you one better.Give me your phone.”

Ryan obeyed, glad he’d been the one to pay for the phone.His father hadn’t tried to take it back like he had everything he’d paid for while Ryan was a minor.Ryan had to leave his car behind, which he felt sorry about, even though the car had been a disaster.He didn’t have another one yet, though, and he felt awkward asking Kendrick to borrow his more often than necessary.

Kendrick didn’t seem to feel the same way.After he entered the address of the grocery store into Jonas’s phone, he handed it back, along with his car keys.He didn’t ask Ryan if he was sure or told him to be careful.He just turned back to the fridge and stuck his head in.

Ryan suspected he’d get a few texts with more things he needed to buy, but that was fine.He was smiling as he left the house and bounded toward Kendrick’s car.He glanced around, attempting to find his mate as always, but he hadn’t seen Devon since the day they’d bumped into each other.Part of him, including his tiger, wanted to look for Devon, but another part thought that Devon knew where to find Ryan, and if he wanted to talk to him, he could.

To be fair, the same could be said for Ryan.It would be easy to find out where Devon lived and go there, but Ryan hadn’t.He was giving Devon space.Maybe Devon was doing the same.It was hard to be sure without knowing him, and Ryan wouldn’t get to know him until they talked.Eventually, one of them would have to take that step, and Ryan suspected it would be him.

That was fine with him.He was the shifter, so he could take the lead.As long as Devon gave him a chance, Ryan thought things would be fine.

He followed the directions his phone gave him to leave the village and head to the closest town.It was small and cute and exactly the kind of place Ryan had imagined he’d find in this area.He’d never thought he’d end up living in a small town, let alone a village, but he couldn’t say he hated it.It was weird, but that was because he’d just arrived.He was sure that once he started to find his footing, everything would be fine.

He parked the car in the grocery store’s parking lot and got out.He started walking toward the store, but he noticed a coffee shop a few shops down the street.It had been a while since he’d had a coffee from a shop because he’d been trying to put as much money away as he could, but now that he lived with Kendrick, he was safe.He wouldn’t need every penny to survive, and he could spoil himself a little.

There was a smile on his lips as he walked into the coffee shop and was greeted by the smell of coffee and sugar.He’d missed this.He knew that coffee in these places was expensive, but sometimes, he wanted to indulge.

He glanced up to read what his options were as he neared the counter.There were a few people sitting at tables around the shop, but it was mostly quiet.

“Can I get a cappuccino, please?”he said, looking down now that he’d chosen what he wanted to drink.

Devon was staring at him from behind the counter.His eyes were wide, and he looked like he might bolt at any second.Did he think that Ryan had come here on purpose to corner him?At the very least, he was shocked, and Ryan wasn’t far behind.The last thing he’d expected was to find his mate here.

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