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“Dara lectured me on the way to get Mama,” Devon said, figuring maybe it was best to talk first and then… maybe dinner would happen, maybe it wouldn’t.
“About?”
“You.”
“Do I want to know what she said?”
She peeked up at him, trying to gauge his reaction as she said, “She warned me not to hurt you again.”
“I see. Well, I’m a big boy, Dev.”
“I know but… I get the feeling if I cooperated you’d… maybe like to pick right back up where we left off.”
“Would that be a bad thing?”
She took two more steps and then stopped, turning to face him and thankful this end of the long boardwalk remained quiet even during the tourist season. There were a few people hanging out on nearby porches but no one within hearing distance. “Yes. I’m involved to someone else.”
His gaze narrowed on her and she saw anger flare a bit in his tight expression.
“Believe me, I’m aware. The reason that doesn’t bother me quite as much as it should is because I don’t believe you’re happy. You just haven’t admitted it to yourself yet.”
Not happy? She had a wonderful life. A wonderful job—well, had, but… Ted was a good man. A solid man. If you didn’t hold not being a priority against him. “My happi— my life is none of your concern.”
“I disagree. Look, I only want the best for you, Devon. That includes love. Real love.”
“I have that.”
Oz didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. He merely lifted one thick eyebrow high and stared at her to the point she wanted to stomp her feet. Okay, so her relationship with Ted wasn’t something from a romance novel, but happiness was… relative.
Right? “Look,” she said, her impatience flooding her tone. “We couldn’t make it work ten years ago, and ten years later, nothing’s changed.”
“I disagree.”
“How so?”
“Your job, for starters.”
She lifted her chin. “I’ll find another one.”
“I’m sure you will, but why bother?”
A gasp left her. “What do you mean?”
“Come on, Dev. Future governor’s wives make for pretty pictures and charity speeches. They don’t work an outside job, especially not one as public as yours would be.”
Ted was all for her working right now, but her position at a network could positively influence a campaign. Would that change as he climbed the political tiers?
What do you think? “We’ll discuss it when we reach that crossroads,” she said tightly.
“There won’t be a discussion and you know it. You’ll work until then and give up your dream to show your support for him.”
Oz echoed her thoughts and worries, those she’d barely acknowledged herself because of what they meant. Was she that woman? Her… mother? “Oz, I think we should… I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Then don’t.”
“You’re making it difficult,” she said, the words emerging tight.
“Good. If it was easy, I wouldn’t be trying hard enough to get you to see your future.”
