Tender Is The Night(51)

"That explosion took ten years off my life. When I couldn't get to you, I went a little crazy."

"How did you break down the door?" she asked curiously. "There were two deadbolts on it."

"Fire extinguisher. I rammed the door. I was getting in no matter what."

"I knew you'd come. I tried to keep her talking long enough for you to  get there. It wasn't that difficult. Lindsay wanted to speak her truth.  She wanted her mom to know everything. It was sad." She paused, wagging  her finger at him in warning. "And don't tell anyone at the Bureau that I  said that it was sad. I don't want to sound like a girl."

"I thought her story was sad, too," he admitted. "But it didn't excuse what she did."

"No, it didn't. I spoke to Agent Roman last night. I told him everything  that happened, although I still have to fill out a lot of official  paperwork."

"I'll bet," Devin said with a small smile. "I don't miss that. What did he say about the rest of it?"

"He said you were right all along, and he never should have doubted you."

"Easy to say now."

"He also asked me to pass on a message to you. He said if you ever want  to come back to the Bureau, the door is open. All you have to do is walk  through it." She paused, not seeing much of a reaction in Devin's  expression. "What do you think?"

"I don't think I want to go back."

She felt a little disappointed at his decision, but she could also  understand it. The FBI had let him down. It would be difficult for him  to ever get past that. And in truth, it would probably be difficult for  the people who had let him down not to second-guess themselves on any  future cases they worked on. "So private investigation?"

"I've worked with a couple of law firms. They've made me some lucrative  offers for full-time work. I'm considering hiring myself out at a higher  level."

"That could be interesting. Criminal law?"

"Yes."

"Right up your alley. And you'll get to call the shots."

"At least some of them. The more money I take, the more strings that come with it."

"It sounds like you're going to stay in San Francisco." She tried to  hold back the wave of pain that came with that thought. DC was a long  way from San Francisco. She'd never been that good at relationships even  when they were in the same city. Long-distance might be impossible. But  her mom had told her to go for everything she wanted, and she wanted  Devin.         

     



 

"I do like the city," he said.

"Do you like me more?" she challenged.

He stared back at her in surprise. "What are you asking, Kate?"

She took a breath for courage, knowing she was about to put her heart on  the line. "I'd like to explore what's going on between us. And I was  thinking that there are law firms in DC, too."

"There are," he agreed.

"I want you in my life, Devin. I think you want me in yours. I don't  want you to work at a job you don't like, and I don't want to work at a  job I don't like, but maybe there's a way we can be together and still  do what we both want."

"That's very optimistic thinking," he said lightly.

The teasing glint in his eyes brought forth a wave of relief. "I am an optimist. I've told you what I want. What do you want?"

He didn't answer for a very long minute. Then he said one simple word. "You."

Her heart stopped and then started again. "Really?"

"Yes. I am crazy about you. You came into my life like a hurricane force  wind, and you blew out all the bad stuff. You knocked down my walls. I  have no armor left. I'm afraid I just can't go on without you. I love  you, Kate."

Her eyes blurred with tears. "Really?"

"Stop asking me that."

"I can't quite believe what you're saying. It's all very fast."

"Life is fast. And I don't want to miss any minutes with you. One of the  law firms I was talking about has a branch in DC. They would be happy  to have me work out of that office. I'm sure I can find other jobs. If  you need to go somewhere else, then I'll follow you. And don't say  really again," he warned.

"I can't believe you'd change your life for me."

"I want you to be happy, Kate. You're just starting your career. And as  you told me many times, you are good at your job. You need to have your  chance to live your dream. I don't want to stand in the way of that."

"But I want you to be happy, too. I want you to have your dream."

"These days my dreams all have you in them." He leaned over and placed a lingering kiss on her lips.

She smiled back at him, her heart as full as it could be. "I love you, too, Devin."

"Good. That will make what your mother asked me to do much easier."

"What did she ask you to do?"

"Be your date at your sister's wedding."

"Oh, my God! Mia is going to go crazy when she finds out I'm in love."

"She's your twin. Doesn't she already know?" he teased.

"Actually, she probably does. I can't wait for you to meet her. You know this means you're going to be an unofficial Callaway."

"I can't wait. Your family is crazy but amazing. I can see why they  inspire you, and I think they've inspired me a little, too. I want what  your parents have. What my parents should have had but didn't. I want a  family. But most of all I want a partner, someone I can love and trust  to have my back."

"Always," she promised.

"And I'll always have yours." He gave her another smile. "Why don't you  show me your bedroom? I didn't see it the last time we were here."

"Devin, my mother is in the house."

"She told me she was going to run some errands, and we'd be alone until noon. She was very specific about the time."

"I can't believe she told you that."

"I think she likes me."

"I think she wants to plan another wedding," she said with a laugh.

"Well, she might just get her wish," he said. "But I'm not going to ask  you to marry me now. I don't want to hear another really."

She punched him in the arm. "Maybe I'll ask you first."

"Maybe we'll just see." He kissed her again. Then they made their way upstairs and into her bed.





Epilogue


Devin had been welcomed into the Callaway clan with more warmth and  enthusiasm than he'd ever imagined. So far he'd been to two wedding  dinners and an impromptu bachelor party, where he'd gotten to meet  Jeremy, Mia's groom, and also gotten to know Kate's brothers and male  cousins a little better.

Today was the big day-the wedding day-and he was standing outside the  church in the Presidio while the crowd took their seats, and Kate  handled her maid-of-honor duties behind the scenes.

Ian walked up to him and gave him a nod.

Out of Kate's three brothers, Devin related the most to Ian, who seemed  quieter, more thoughtful, more observant than Hunter and Dylan. Ian also  played his cards close to his chest. Devin suspected that Ian had a  life away from the family that they probably knew little about. They  wanted to know. They tried to pry and tease information out of him, but  he was a vault, and Devin was curious what was in that vault, because he  knew a little about putting his heart under lock and key, but he'd had a  reason. His parents had split up. His dad had died. Every time he loved  someone, they disappeared. What was Ian's story?         

     



 

Somehow he didn't think he was going to find out today.

"How's it going?" Ian asked. "You tired of the family yet?"

"No, but I'll be excited to spend a little more time with your sister when this is over."

"I hear you're moving out to DC. Is that just for Kate?"

He wasn't surprised to get the question. He'd already gotten it from  Dylan, Hunter, Annie, Mia and Kate's parents. "I'm in love with her," he  said simply. "I can work anywhere."

"She's lucky."

"No, I'm the lucky one."

"Well, don't tell her that," Ian said with a grin. "Kate is already too cocky."

"It seems to be a family trait."

"You're right, it is. Have Dylan and Hunter been giving you a hard time?"

"A little, but I like that you all want to protect Kate. That's what I want, too."

"Then you're going to fit right in." Ian slapped him on the shoulder,  then headed into the church as Kate came outside in her silky teal  dress.

She looked beautiful today, her blonde hair pulled back in a loose, wavy  ponytail, her makeup enhancing her long black lashes and full pink  lips. Her blue eyes sparkled as she walked up to him.

"Hey, babe." She pressed her hands against his chest and gave him a kiss. "I feel like it's been forever since I saw you."

"Well, you were the one who wanted to spend last night with your sisters."

"It was fun. I can't remember the last time Annie, Mia, and I had a slumber party. But I still missed you."

"You can have me tonight."