Page 142 of Not In The Contract

“Now, see, who could blame you?” Taylor spoke out of the corner of her mouth.

And no, I didn’t see how anyone could. Devon’s hair was down, cascading in loose waves of chestnut that caught the light like a shimmering halo. And her smile, the very one that stole my heart, lit up her face and the whole room with it.

A flush of heat spread across my cheeks, my heart pounding so loud I was sure everyone around me could hear it. I had seen Devon in many settings, but this moment was different. It was as though she’d stepped out of a dream, a living embodiment of every emotion I felt for her.

And then, right on cue, my friends’ voices broke into my reverie.

“Close your mouth, Alex. You’re causing a scene,” Reid said, a mischievous gleam in her eye.

I blinked, tearing my gaze from Devon to face the knowing looks surrounding me.

My voice was laced with mock annoyance as I tried to come back from that. “Oh, come on now, Reid. Can’t I be amazed by the presence of a beautiful woman?”

Mia, with her usual warmth, chimed in. “She looks stunning, Alex. I probably would’ve been blushing too, if I were you. Maybe not so much, of course.”

They laughed at that, and I tried my damnedest to salvage my reputation, willing the heat to leave my face.

“I have to admit, I haven’t seen you this flustered before,” Cameron joined in, exchanging a knowing glance with Elliot.

“Now that you mention it, babe,” Elliot started, and clinked her champagne glass with Cameron’s, “I’m beginning to spot a few cracks in that usually cool and composed facade.”

“Facade?” I quirked a brow. But there was no denying the truth to their words.

Devon had a way of getting under my skin and leaving me both elated and utterly undone.

“Hey, you guys, enough now.” Taylor put on a stern expression as she pretended to scold the others. Unlike the rest of us, she’d pulled ahead and was on her third glass of champagne. “We’re witnessing new love in real time, and that’s a beautiful thing. It’s long overdue that Alex found someone who has this effect on her.”

I let out an exasperated sigh, unable to hide my beaming smile as I saw Devon approaching our group.

“Okay, okay, you’ve all had your fun. Now, be cool. She’s coming over.”

Reid made an action of zipping her lips, locking it, and throwing away the imaginary key. She did, however, scramble after the ghost key to scoop it up from the floor and stow it safely in her purse. Her lame joke had everyone in stitches, and distracted enough when Devon slipped her arm around my waist.

“The place looks amazing, Alex.” She went up on her toes to plant a soft kiss on my cheek. I didn’t miss the fact that she was slightly flushed too.

I leaned in to kiss her jaw, the sensitive spot just below her ear, and whispered, “You look amazing.”

Devon tensed in my arms, and by the time we turned back to our friends I felt more at ease. The Devon Effect, it seemed, was in full swing. And not just with me—all eyes were on her, had tracked her entrance carefully. It made me stand a little taller. I was proud of my achievement with the orphanage, of course, but having Devon on my arm was a whole other feeling. It surpassed every high I’d experienced in my career.

“It’s been a while, Devon, how’s the thesis going? Alex says you pretty much have it in the bag.” Cameron was trying, although the wicked glint in her eye gave her away.

“She’s right,” Devon replied, politely accepting the glass of champagne Hayden had snatched from a passing waiter. “I’m expecting to have it all wrapped up in about a week or two. I’m proud of it so far.”

“You should be.” Paula appeared out of nowhere and tugged on Devon’s elbow. “Your work’s been incomparable so far, Devon. Come here, you’re going to love this.”

Devon glanced over her shoulder at me, but I nodded and she allowed herself to be swept away by her professor.

I watched Paula take her over to the coloring station we’d set up for the kids, and Devon transformed before my eyes. She crouched down to be on their level and started engaging with them, her eyes glistening with warmth. Just like with the adults milling about, Devon’s presence cast a spell over them. The kids flocked to her like moths to a flame, her laughter and animated gestures captivating their attention. She listened intently as one after the other came at her with stories about their pictures, and she genuinely shared their excitement.

“It comes so easy to her,” I told Paula as I drew up beside her. She had the same look of awe on her face as she watched Devon. “It’s like she has this magical connection with them.”

The pride in Paula’s voice was unmistakable when she said, “Making them feel seen and cherished comes naturally to her. It’s because she gets it. She gets what the world’s been like for them, and what they need most.”

It was like Paula’s sense of pride infected me and my heart swelled. It was exactly that quality of Devon’s that made me fall so hard for her—the ability to give of herself fully, of being totally present in the moment.

“I have an idea…” I spoke the words at the same moment the seed bloomed in my mind. Paula looked at me, her expression one of open curiosity. “But, it has to come from you. Don’t tell her I said anything.”

She frowned slightly but nodded her silent agreement. “What are you thinking? And why do you want to stay out of it?”