Summer
Devin
The start of summer of nothing less than fabulous. Devin was famous, rich and well taken care of. Nothing was in her way. With all the work on her hands, her schedule didn't leave much room for thinking, which was perfect.
No room for thoughts.
"Hello, mistress."
Well shit.
" Hi Dynos..." Devin was heading out of the office to grab dinner. The last person she expected to see was Dynos. He had been coming to see more often. And by more often was almost daily. Like they were best friends or something. She wasn't quite sure yet how she felt about it.
He walked beside her. " I'm going to the new steak house down town. Would you like to dine with me? I'll drop you off after."
He eyes shone as if he was using some type of enchantment. She looked away and sighed. " Fine. You drive then." She got into the car.
The drive there was full of chattering from Dynos. She watched as he spoke about the fashion line and work. He went back and froth between asking how she was doing and wishing she was there.
All Devin could think about as she watched him was, 'What's he so happy about?'
It was almost as if the fallout of their day long relationship had barely affected him. These days he was extra giddy for no reason. She hadn't made any wishes, so there was no reason for him to be excited. She wondered if he was this way because he was with her.
Maybe this is how he is with friends? She said to herself.
At the restaurant they talked about the latest fashions and other art related things. Over the last few weeks she realized just how much they both had in common. Also, just how much he enjoyed his job.
" You really like your life here..." The words slipped out unconsciously.
He paused, and looked at her curiously before looking down at his plate. " Yeah... I guess." He took a bite out of his food. "Earth is not so terrible."
The atmosphere had shifted. He clearly had no intention of discussing this any further. They continued talking for bit, but could still feel the awkwardness.
Her phone buzzed. It was Ryan.
Ryan: Hey Babe. Are you still at work?
Devin: No, I'm having dinner at the new steak house.
Ryan: Oh okay. Let's have lunch together tomorrow. I'll take you someplace nice.
Devin: Okay, I'll pick you up, what time?"
Ryan: Twelve noon? Also, there is no way in hell your picking me up. You're passenger princess as long as you're with me.
A blush crept up Devin cheek and she smiled. And she continued her smiling as they text.
" Is that your boyfriend?" Dynos asked with a raised eyebrow. His voice held contempt.
" Yes."
She looked over at him after being quiet for too long. He was visibly peeved but she could not fathom why. She still wasn't sure if he ended things with her because because of his "home" or if he left her because he wasn't really into her.
Although from the way he behaved ever time she mentioned Ryan, it was clear he wasn't thrilled by their relationship. Which was rich coming from the guy that mentioned the idea of the relationship in the first place.
Unknowingly she grinned, but caught herself before he noticed.
" Do you hate Ryan or something?" She had to ask.
He looked at her and frowned. " Why do you ask that?"
" I asked first Dynos."
He sighed. " I don't hate Ryan. I've only met the fool once." he poked at his food.
" But you just did it."
" Did what?"
Devin laughed aloud. " You called him a fool. And this is not the first time. You call him fool,wrangler and even chum. Like those are even insults. The face you make too gives it away." She paused and watched him sulk.
Dynos had a soft look on his face. " He just looks like a chum that's all." He shrugged. " I don't need to like the people you date, do I?"
" I guess not..."
" There you go darling. Now can we talk about your day or something?"
Devin could swear that his eyes twinkled at her just then.
Guilt crept over her.
She really liked Ryan. He was a good guy, from a good background and was an actual human being. He treated her like lost treasure he had found and never hesitated to make her feel special. It was too early but he was the ideal forever person for her.
There was just one tiny problem.
She still loved Dynos. Every time he showed up she felt giddy in her stomach. He made her want to laugh and she genuinely enjoyed their time together. Up until now, the kiss they shared that day lingers in her body. Almost like she could still feel him all over her. It was worse when they were sitting close. She would watch him speak, not really hearing anything. Just like now, his mouth was moving but her attention keeps being drawn to his lips.
Sometimes from the way he looked at her, it felt like they were both feeling the same way.
Devin smacked her head from the inside. She was too grown of a woman to be this delusional. There had to be a line between them drawn, she couldn't go on like this.
After their dinner, he drove her home.
As they approached her new place he nodded. " This is really beautiful Devin. Maybe I should get a condo..."
She turned to him. " Dynos..."
" Yes love." His eyes were full of something she couldn't quite describe . It was almost too enchanted to allow her say what was on her mind.
She bit her lip in frustration. " Thanks for today.
He grinned. " My pleasure mistress."
Δ
" I'm pregnant!" Maggie announced in her office a few days later.
" What?"
" Can you believe it? I'm having my second baby."
Devin smiled. " Congratulations Maggie."
Maybe her reaction was too bland for the surprise announcement. Devin wasn't sure, but Maggie didn't seem very pleased.
She sat in the chair opposite her sister's desk. " I'm pregnant Devin." She said again.
Devin lips tightened. " I know, you just told me. Is something wrong?"
" Yes." Maggie adjusted in her seat. " I haven't seen you in several weeks and haven't heard a peep from you. I tell you I'm expecting and this is the reaction I get from you?"
With her arms folded she scoffed. Her sister was a either a narcissist or a crazy person.
" Do you really expect me to react in shock? You and Sam screw all the time. It's common knowledge really. Isn't pregnancy like inevitable in your case. I'd be surprised if you weren't. AND Sorry, if I'm too busy to see you. I'm doing the job that got you yours."
Maggie blinked back in surprise. " Don't put this on me. You're happy now;You live in a better house and you've got a good car. Your life, is better now."
" This is ridiculous. You never ever even try to understand things from my view." Devin said under her breath. " I don't want to argue with you, Maggie. I'm busy."
Maggie, upset, got up and went for the door. " I'm having a baby shower, I'll send an invite to you and I hope you come Devie." She said softly, as left her the office.
Instant guilt pricks her. Maybe she spoke too harshly.
Maggie and Devin fought all the time, and they made up by pretending the whole thing never happened. This time, it was different. Devin wasn't just going to let it go.
" Hey," Devin's faced the red head peaking through her door. " Was that your sister just now?"
" Hi, Ryan." she got up from her desk. " Yeah, she's having a baby shower."
" Oh, wow. I didn't know she was pregnant."
" Neither did i."
Devin's attention went to his hand full of bags. An aroma of good lingered in her office and she knew he had brought lunch.
He smiled and lifted the bags. " I knew you probably haven't had your lunch yet. So we're going to have a picnic."
He drove her to her house. At first she was confused but immediately understood when he took all the bags to the backyard. He laid the blanket on the grass and set up the food.
She smiled at the sweetness of it all.
They usually spent hours eating and talking about work during their free time. She wasn't a law expert but the cases he dealt with were so captivating. Ryan was a lawyer and by the sound of it he was doing well.
He set up his laptop and put on a show. Ryan had made it a point to make her love his favorite shows. She enjoyed the complexity of it but she wasn't sure if she actually liked it as much as him yet. What she did like was how he held her close as they watched. Rambling about how awesome the characters were while stroking her shoulder.
Ryan was a good guy. He was sweet caring and affectionate. He never hurt or tried to kill. Never stalked her or invaded her privacy. Unlike some people.
He was perfect. But if he was so perfect why wasn't that enough for her? Was she so messed up that normal and happy didn't do it for her.
She glanced at Ryan. The way he focused on the show was adorable. His blue green eyes reflected the laptop screen. His freckles were so evident now. His features were so perfectly aligned together. It reminded her of Dynos.
I must have a type, she thought to herself and giggled softly to herself.
Ryan looked at her. " What?" He draped his arm over her shoulder.
Devin smiled, thinking of something to deflect her rhoughts. " Are you going to watch the movie all day or are you going to kiss me?"
He blinked back in surprise. Devin had never initiated anything with him, fearing that she might be using him to get over Dynos. But maybe, just maybe this was the best she she could do, and she could learn to appreciate it.
Ryan leaned in close and kissed her gently. "I'm really glad I asked you out." He took a deep breathe. " You feel like dream-like sometimes."
" Well, I'm glad I said yes." She covered his mouth with hers and with that, the chat had ended.
Although she was not content, he was starting to fill the void that had been left for so long. Perhaps, what she needed was time. Time for her to adjust to an ordinary life.