Page 104 of Make-Believe Match

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Believe me, I know all about guys who get married and don’t stick around. You’re telling me youdidn’thave a job interview last week in California? Because my source says you did.”

“And who is your source?” I asked, although I already knew.

“Does it matter?”

“What did Bob Oliver promise you?” I hitched my laptop bag higher on my shoulder. Shifted my weight to one foot as I appraised her.

“I only want what I’m owed, Devlin.”

“And how is Bob Oliver going to get you anything? The sale to Black Diamond didn’t happen.”

“Yet,” she said, a gleam in her icy blue eyes.

“It won’t ever happen. Lexi’s marriage enabled her to inherit. Us to inherit,” I corrected.

“I know.Well done you.” She patted my chest three times. “I just hope you guys can keep this up.”

“Keep what up? What’s that mean?”

She sucked on her straw again, then smiled. “Guess we’ll find out. See you around.”

Turning around, she ambled off down the hallway and out the back door.

What the fuck?

* * *

“I think we just have to ignore her,” Lexi said that night during dinner. “She’s trying to get a rise out of us, maybe scare us into paying her off.”

“I could fucking pummel Bob Oliver,” I seethed, cutting my steak with more force than necessary.

“You already did that.”

“I enjoyed it. I’d do it again.”

“It’s not necessary.” Lexi’s voice was soothing. “He’s just pissed that you won. So he knows about the interview—big deal.”

“But if your grandmother finds out about it—”

“I’ll talk to Tabitha, okay?” She reached over and patted my arm. “Let me try just leveling with her. Sometimes that works.”

“Okay,” I grumbled.

“She can be awful—believe me, I know—but she can also be nice. Not all my childhood memories of her are bad.” Lexi picked up her wine glass and took a sip. “There’s a heart in her somewhere.”

“Fine. I’ll let you talk to Tabitha instead of beating Bob Oliver’s ass again.” I put down my fork and picked up my beer, taking a long swallow.

“Thank you.” Then she laughed. “Hey, this is kind of funny. I’m talkingyoudown fromyourfeelings. You must be rubbing off on me.”

“I do love rubbing off on you.”

That earned me an eye roll. “You’re such aboysometimes. Can’t you just let me have a nice moment? I’m trying to tell you that you’ve been good for me.”

“I’m sorry.” I reached over and touched her wrist. “Thank you for saying that. You’ve been good for me too.”

“Really?” Her cheeks turned a little pink.