“Fiona just agreed to move in with me,” Devlyn announces and the table falls quiet.
“Dev, I um forgot to get the gravy for the mashed potatoes. Can you help me in the kitchen? Now,” I grit at him as I push my chair back.
I can feel all eyes on us as we leave the room. As soon as my feet hit the tile floor the chatter starts again.
Devlyn
“What are you doing” Fiona hisses at me as soon as I follow her into the kitchen.
“What? Nothing.” I shrug.
“You made it clear we aren’t a thing.” Her finger motions between us. “So why are you telling them I agreed to move in with you!”
“Is the idea of being with me really that bad, Fi? I know we tried before but that was then and things are different now, aren’t they?” I step into her. “We’re good together. Let me prove it to you.”
“Dev,” she whispers my name and I want to claim those sweet parted lips.
“Fiona, I want to kiss you.”
She holds her hands up to deter me, but I can see the longing in her eyes. She wants me to kiss her but then she gives me an excuse not to.
“Dev, you don’t get it, do you? You’re so wonderful. You deserve better than me. I’m not right for you. I’m a mess. You’re my best friend. I do love you, Dev, but I won’t ruin us. You need someone so much better than me.”
“You don’t know what I need,” I huff and grab the brown gravy from the counter, leaving Fiona alone. I don’t know what I was thinking. I know she shuts down whenever I make my feelings clear. Maybe I should get her drunk and then see what happens. No, I don’t want her to be with me like that. I want her to choose me, because she wants to not because she had too much to drink.
Maybe bringing her here today was a bad idea. The truth is, my whole family knows I’m crazy for her. Sure, I have dated other women in the past, but no one compares to her, they never will. I can’t put in the effort to be with someone who isn’t her. I’ve tried. It’s exhausting.
I place the gravy bowl on the center of the table and return to my seat.
“Is everything okay, dear?” My mother asks as everyone else avoids making eye contact with me.
“Fine,” I grunt and tear a piece of my roll off, stuffing it in my mouth. Fiona is still in the kitchen. Maybe she plans on hiding there until we leave.
I’ve cleared half my plate by the time she quietly rejoins us. I can feel her eyes on me as I continue to eat. Ignoring her is hard when I want nothing more than to see the expression on her face. Is she sorry she stopped me from kissing her or is she relieved?
She doesn’t speak and pushes the food on her plate around until my mother announces dessert.
Once everyone has their bellies full and has gone off to other parts of the house, Fiona volunteers us to help clean up. When we are alone in the kitchen she grabs my hand. “Dev, are you mad at me?”
“Never. I’m sorry for how I acted earlier. Can we just pretend that awkward moment didn’t happen and let this go? Please?”
“If that’s what you want.”
“It is,” I lie, pulling her into me for a hug. I will drop it for now but the moment we get back to the apartment all bets are off. I am ready to make her mine.
My mother comes into the kitchen. “I don’t know what is going on between you two, but whatever it is I hope you wise up and realize you’re meant for each other.”
“Ma, don’t.”
“Don’t Ma me, Devlyn. This is my kitchen. Don’t sass me. Fiona, my son is a catch and he is in love with you. Better snag him while you can. He won’t wait forever. And I know plenty of single girls from church who’d love his company. I fixed you up some leftovers. I love you, but the sexual tension between you is about to combust and I would rather you do it at your place.” She grins and pats my back.
Fiona
After all the awkwardness of dinner and the relationship advice from Mrs. Sullens at the end I am relieved Devlyn is taking a shower and giving me some much-needed time alone.
His apartment is so freaking small we are going to be on top of each other all the time. Snooping through the junk drawer in the kitchen, I find the duct tape. I am probably being silly, but I need to redraw the lines between us. Especially after Dev said he wanted to kiss me. If we don’t have boundaries we will fuck up our friendship beyond repair. Staring at the couch, I tackle the first order of business and tear off a long strip and divide the couch into his and her sides. Next, I do the bed, even though I am not so sure now that this whole arrangement is a good idea. However, first thing tomorrow I will be back on the job hunt. This is temporary.
I repeat the mantra until Devlyn walks out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel. Droplets of water roll down his neck to his chest, traveling down his torso, and disappearing into those sexy muscles shaped like a V. Sweet lord, the man is fine.