My Brother's Best Friend(67)
Devin held his finger to my lips, stopping my nervous chatter. “Why do you think I cleared out space? I don’t want to drive all the way to Larissa’s hotel to pick you up, it’s much more convenient to have you living with me.”
“Do you think we’re going too fast?” I asked. “Dr. Stone would say so.”
“Or he would say, go for it. And if you think this is fast—”
“I don’t. I’m just wondering what others will think.”
“Don’t worry about anyone else. What matters is how we both feel. I love you, Christy. I don’t want to let you go now. You’re stuck with me.”
“Good, because you’re stuck with me too. I love you. We have spent way too much time apart. It’s time we rectify the situation.”
“I completely agree,” he said, leaning down to capture my lips. We were lost again in our own world of happiness.
“Ahem!” Reluctantly we broke apart to find Mitchell and Megan standing before us. “I’m sorry, were we interrupting?” I turned around, but Devin held onto my waist. “I’m guessing you made up?”
I nodded then grabbed my phone off the desk. “Look what I got!” I held it up for Mitch and Megan to see.
“Is this customized?” Megan asked incredulously, grabbing for the phone.
“Yep.” I smiled, turning slightly to look up at Devin. “Made just for me.”
He smiled back at me and kissed my cheek.
I giggled and touched his face, “I love you.”
“I love you too,” he said softly.
“You apologized with a bribe?” Mitchell asked.
“No. It was just a gift,” I said defensively. “I forgave him Saturday night, well Sunday morning, I suppose.” Mitchell nodded as he handed back my phone. “You don’t have to like it, Mitch. I know you’re upset about us, but you’re going to at least accept that it happened. We’re together,” I said, smiling up at Devin.
“I’m just looking after you like a big brother should. You’re my little sister and he’s my best friend.”
“You’re not losing either of us, man,” Devin said. “You know I’ll take care of her.”
“Yes, I guess I do owe you for saving her.”
“You don’t owe me anything. We both would have lost something important to us that day.” Devin’s arm unconsciously held me tighter and I knew they were talking about my attempted suicide and for the first time I wasn’t uncomfortable. Everyone knew the truth, there were no secrets. I was a different person now. I was confident in myself and happy to just be me.
“Exactly how much did that phone cost you, if you don’t mind me asking?” Megan asked.
“Um,” Devin hesitated. “It cost enough.” He looked down at me. “This phone was a favor of a favor. Terry knew somebody who knew somebody who knew who to get in touch with. We drew up a contract and had the phone made.”
“So it cost you an arm and a leg.”
He smiled and tapped my nose. “Maybe just an arm.”
“You had to draw up a contract?” Mitchell asked.
“Yeah, about that, we might have to tell our story for their website. They are thinking of opening it to the public. It won’t be as snazzy or customized as yours, but they are thinking of producing plastic colored versions. Android phones are taking a lot of the market and they are trying to find new ways to keep their market share. But if they don’t go public, we have to keep it low key, no public statements or interviews or tipping off the public in any way that we have a customized phone.” I nodded my head slowly, a bit confused and overwhelmed. “I’ll explain it better later.”
About that time someone else walked into the building and Devin and I separated. He took my hand in his and nodded to the man.
“Morning, Reggie.” Megan smiled. He was from MBR apparently.
He stopped briefly. “Congratulations on your marriage. I heard about it from Nancy.”
“Thank you.” She smiled.
“Are you going to be at the Grant briefing?”
“Yeah, I’m on my way now,” she said. This man, Reggie—I had never known him by face—nodded and walked off. Megan turned to us. “I better go. We have an important meeting in a few.” She kissed Mitchell and then hugged me. “I knew it would work out. I’m happy for you,” she whispered in my ear.
I smiled as she walked away. “I better go, too,” Mitch said. “Don’t stay too long, Malone,” he said, pointing at Devin.
Devin chuckled, “Of course.”
I watched as they walked away, leaving me and Devin alone again.