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* * *
NOVA
“You’re in Miami? Why? You missed me that much you couldn’t go two weeks without me?”
Willa laughs. “Devin’s birthday is tomorrow, and though we flew over to New York last weekend, we wanted to see him play at home, too. There’s no telling when this ride might end for him, and we don’t want to miss any of it if we can help it.”
My days have blurred together. I forgot what the date was. “What a good big sis you are. But speaking of Miami, were you not going to tell me when Dev got the call?”
Willa curses low. “Did I not just go through this with my stubborn brother? Nova, you’ve asked me to stay out of it. Multiple times, I might add.”
She’s right, but— “This is different, Willa. This is him playing in the majors. What if Crew hadn’t called me? What if I missed it?”
“What if you had?” Her prodding tone shrinks me to a child being chastised. “How would you have felt? Please tell me because I’m having difficulty figuring out what you two are feeling.”
Does that mean he’s struggling with his feelings too?
“To be honest, I have no idea what I feel anymore. I didn’t expect to knock on his door and have another woman answer. That…”
“Hurt?” Willa supplies.
Yes. It hurt. I’m the one who stopped responding to texts. I set him free, but I guess I was holding out hope that someday… Tears prick my eyes, and I sit up, irritated.
“It was a surprise, that’s all.”Liar.“I’m glad he’s happy. He deserves it.”
“Well, since we’re all friends, what do you say we grab coffee? This afternoon or tomorrow morning?”
“Uh, with just you?”
“Yes, just me.” She chuckles. “But if Dev came that wouldn’t matter, right? You’re happy for him. And you and I are practically family. Can’t run from my blood for too much longer.”
If I agree, would she call my bluff and ask Devin, or worse, Palmer, to come? If she did, it would give me a chance to save face after humiliating myself at his hotel. Show him I really am happy for him, and show Palmer I’m not gunning for her man. Because I won’t be that woman.
Even though he doesn’t feel like her man to claim.
I can do this. I won’t let her call me out.
“Yeah, invite whomever. I’ll find time.”
* * *
DEVIN
“I can’t believe my baby boy is twenty-four.” Mom circles her arms around my waist, her head resting against my shoulder.
I laugh, patting her back as we wait for the hostess to prepare our table. “Hate to break it to you, Mom, but I’ve been out of diapers for quite some time.”
She smacks my chest. “Don’t remind me.”
“Where was this sentimental mush when I turned twenty-four? Does being the firstborn mean nothing?”
“Oh, honey. You’d already given me two grandbabies. I was more concerned about spoiling them.” Mom smiles, teasing, and I laugh.
“I see how it is.” Willa’s hands land on her hips. “See if I give you any more if this is my reward. Your time’s coming, Dev. Don’t think that once you give her grandbabies, she’ll still pamper you because you’re her precious baby boy.”
Palmer stills at my side at the mention of future children. The hostess returns not soon enough, escorting us to a table in the center of the packed room.
After we’re seated and flipping through our menus, a figure hovers behind the empty chair next to Willa. “Hey. Fancy seeing you guys here.”
