Page 121 of Love in Riverbend
“Tell me there’s an elevator,” I say.
Ricky bumps me with his shoulder. “I’ve seen you carry multiple bales of hay, railroad ties for fences, and more. Carrying a couch down three stories…you could do that alone.”
“But I’m not.”
We all laugh as we head up the stairs.
Each floor looks exactly the same. Same hallways. Same doors. The only difference is the numbers. I wonder how Devan and Marilyn could stand living in this box. This building—the entire complex—represents the shit I don’t like. Give me a custom farmhouse, a wraparound porch, and land. I could never live in a box.
As we reach the third floor, there is a young woman standing in the hallway. From her dark hair, I know this is Devan’s roommate. Honestly, I barely recall her as one of Devan’s friends who used to follow us around.
She’s grown up.
She’s cute with a big smile. Her hair is in a ponytail, and she’s wearing shorts with a Ball State t-shirt. “Come on in,” she says. She lifts her arms and gives Jack a hug. “Thank you for helping. Sorry about Dad.”
Jack pats her back and looks at Ricky and me. “Rick brought his friend, Justin. Justin, this is Marilyn, Devan’s roommate.”
“Hi,” I say, ready to get their shit down into the trailer and back home.
“Come in,” she says. “We have everything ready to move.”
“Is Devan here?” Jack asks.
“She is…”
Marilyn’s voice fades away as my heart rate spikes and my gaze meets the soft brown eyes staring my direction.
No way.
This can’t be real.
Her eyes shine as pink fills her cheeks.
“BK,” I say too softly to be heard.
BK is Ricky’s little sister.
Fuck.
She’s Devan Dunn.
Chapter 10
Devan
Justin’s eyes widen as he scans from my hair to my shoes. With each passing second, the color drains from his cheeks. I want to talk, to say something, but my heart is beating too fast. I’m afraid if I try to speak, I’ll pass out right here. The realization hits. I should have gone with the mustache and wig.
“I say we get the biggest things first,” Ricky says, oblivious to the ringing in my ears or the tornado of thoughts swirling through my mind.
Justin’s upset.
He’s shocked.
He’s mad.
He regrets kissing me.
He doesn’t recognize me as the woman he kissed.
