Page 55 of Fanging Up

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“Okay, okay,” Devlin admitted, wiping his eyes. “Maybe I was that bad. I don’t know. Being with Kate has just made me so much more comfortable with people. I really want to get to know them … and let them know me.”

“That is marvelous, darling,” Gerri said, leaning in to give him a proper kiss on the cheek. “I’m overjoyed to hear it. The wedding was spectacular, by the way.”

“Wasn’t it?” Devlin said. His mind returned to the high-ceilinged cathedral, the rows upon rows of white and pink roses, and Kate in ivory silk standing in front of the altar.

“Where did you go for your honeymoon?” Gerri asked, helping herself to some champagne.

“Italy,” Devlin said. “It was supposed to be France, but at the last minute, Kate decided she wanted to go to a furniture showcase. You know, she’s designing her own lines now?”

“Yes, I bought one of her armchairs. It fits in beautifully with my living room.”

“I should have known you’d already be a customer,” Devlin said, laughing.

“Did you spend your entire honeymoon looking at furniture?” Gerri asked, winking coyly as she took a sip of champagne. “Or did you manage to see some ceilings, as well?”

“Oh, yeah, we did visit some of the painted ceilings. Took some great photos of them as well as the statues.”

Gerri stared at Devlin balefully. Then he finally caught her meaning and blushed and laughed.

“Yes, Gerri. We definitely got a good look at the hotel ceiling too.”

“Good,” she said, raising her glass. “I think you should take a bit more time to yourselves, honestly. You weren’t gone long, and since you got back, all you’ve done is work on the furniture business and organize this party.”

“Well, the party was just supposed to be a small barbecue,” Devlin protested. “Hey, wait … where is Kate? Are you hinting to me that my wife is working …today?”

Gerri shrugged. “I may have seen her at the fountain with a book of fabric swatches. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Damnation,” Devlin muttered, turning to cut through a courtyard as he headed for the main fountain. As he approached, he could see Kate sitting on a bench with several well-dressed women gathered around her. All of them had their eyes on a massive book laid across Kate’s lap.

It is fabric swatches!

“Now, Celia,” Kate said, pointing at an open page. “This is the style you like. Honestly, I think mushroom would be the color for you. It would match your room perfectly. But I know you like purple, so I could do this style in mauve.”

“Oh, I love that idea.” The young woman next to Kate sat up and clapped her hands. “I’m having the new curtains done in indigo … do you think it will suit?”

“Definitely,” Kate affirmed, nodding. “If you want to give your interior designer my email, we can collaborate and send our suggestions to you before we finish off. Your living room is going to look amazing.”

“But what about my sofa?” the woman on Kate’s other side asked, tugging on her sleeve. “I still haven’t decided if I want the chaise or the recliner set. Didn’t you say the recliner doesn’t come in crimson?”

“Oh no, it does,” Kate said, flipping pages.

Devlin had finally crossed the full length of the gardens and was standing in front of the bench with his arms folded, waiting for Kate to notice him.

Eventually, it wasn’t Kate but one of the older ladies who finally noticed him.

“Hello!” cried Mrs. Hightower, waving at him so enthusiastically she spilled her champagne. “I’m sorry, we’ve stolen your wife away. She’s an absolute delight.”

“I’m aware,” Devlin said softly, watching Kate. She looked up slowly, her face lighting up as she took in his happy smile. He raised an eyebrow at her.

“Well?” he asked. “What have you got to say for yourself?”

Kate thought for a moment, a look of complete seriousness on her face. “After some consideration, I’d like to say for myself that I’m talented, hardworking, and damn good-looking.”

Devlin laughed, and the ladies did too. Mrs. Hightower spilled her champagne again.

“Utterly delightful,” she muttered.

“You said you weren’t going to work today,” Devlin said.


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