My Brother's Best Friend (20 page)

“You could probably use it to help buy yourself a new computer.”

“You could have bought her a computer. What an unromantic gift,” Larissa said.

I laughed at her comment. “Staples actually is my favorite place to shop,” I said and suddenly it was like a light bulb went off. I turned to Devin. “You knew!”

“Knew what?”

“Don’t play games with me, Devin Malone. I’m asking you straight out. Did you know the answer when I asked you the other day about my favorite place to shop?”

Devin remained silent a few more seconds then finally spoke up, “Yes. I also know your favorite chocolate is Ghirardelli’s peppermint bark, but it only comes out around the holidays. So you buy all that you can find and try and make it last as long as possible.”

My mouth was open in shock, and I was unable to say anything. He knew. He knew everything. My heart was flipping in my chest as I stared at the one guy who knew me better than anyone.

“Now that is super cute.” Larissa’s voice penetrated my thoughts.

“I guess I owe you a thirty-minute massage now,” I said.

He smiled. “No, still only twenty. I answered them wrong.”

“On purpose,” I told him.

“It still counts.”

I shook my head and took a bite of the dessert I had ordered.

We talked some more, Larissa asking questions mostly and Devin answering a majority of them. It was late when we finally finished.

“I should get you home. You have work and school tomorrow,” Devin said.

We thanked Larissa and Zach and headed out to the car. “Thanks, Dev, for the gift.”

“You’re welcome, but that’s not your real gift. That’s just something I owe you. I still owe you dinner wherever you want, though.”

“Maybe Wednesday after my appointment.”

“It’s a date.”

“So what’s my real gift?” I asked as we made our way out of the parking lot.

“You’ll have to wait and see.”

He dropped me off in front of the house, kissing me simply on the lips.

I
t was strange to wake up alone, let alone walk downstairs and have to make my own coffee. I missed the routine Devin and I had naturally fallen into over the past week. Devin always had my coffee ready for me and my cereal out on the table.

It was weird to walk into the kitchen and be greeted by my brother reading the paper, my sister eating her cardboard, and Megan huddled over what looked like work files. Devin wasn’t there smiling at me as he handed me my cup of coffee, he wasn’t there to kiss me goodbye either. To make things even more disturbing, I hardly received a response when I announced I was leaving. I mean, come on, people! We haven’t seen each other for a week. Granted, we probably needed that time away from each other, but still.

It was like they didn’t even notice me. I almost blurted out that Devin always paid attention to me in the mornings when I was leaving, but I managed to keep my mouth shut.

I decided to text Devin on the way to work and let him know my feelings, shocker since I hardly ever spoke about my feelings to friends or family, let alone my own psychologist.

It was strange without you this morning.

Hey Beautiful.

I was just thinking about you.

I missed you too.

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone

Who else you talking to? Oh, and I didn’t say

I missed you, just that it was strange without you.

But I suppose I missed you.

I had no pre-made cup of coffee.

I didn’t realize all I was good for was a cup of coffee.

—————————————————-

Sent from your personal coffee maker

Yes! That means you have to come over every morning.

You would have to wake up even earlier.

Or we could just sleep in the same place.

You would get your coffee maker and

I would get you.

PS. I’m talking to your brother.

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone

You really make an effort to change your signature then.

I think I would just have a different one occasionally.

And why are you talking with my brother?

Not a different signature for every text?

I do try my hardest to make it interesting for you.

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone

By this time I had safely arrived at work—considering the fact that I was texting virtually the whole way—and walked through the doors heading straight for my desk. I set my things down and even opened the blinds before noticing the package on my desk. It was wrapped in a beautiful black and white flower printed pattern with a red bow stuck to the top. I knew exactly whom it was from. Nevertheless I pulled off the card and opened it.

To my CJ, because you need it and because I

want to give it to you. Happy birthday.

Love,

Prince Charming

I laughed at what he had written and tore open the paper, excited to see what he bought me. I gasped as I beheld the box. It was a top-of-the-line computer. I couldn’t believe it. First an iPod, then a computer?

You didn’t!!!!!!

I can’t believe you bought me a computer!!!!

Really.

I’m not sure I can accept it.

I’m not taking it back, CJ.

It’s yours whether you like it or not.

—————————————————-

Sent from someone happy to give you such a gift

It’s so expensive though.

You’re incredible, Dev.

How can you afford this?

By the way, I really like the red bow.

I knew you would. Red is your favorite.

The lady at the store thought I was

strange for not choosing a black or white bow.

—————————————————-

Sent from someone who knows just what you like

I’ve stuck the bow on the side of my computer.

Cute. And to answer your previous question:

I can afford it because I work for a successful

studio doing a job that makes me lots of money.

—————————————————-

Sent from a rich guy who can afford to spoil you

Do you only spend your money spoiling me?

Yes. At least recently I have. You are the only person

worth spending money on, besides myself, of course.

—————————————————-

Sent from a generous guy

I almost asked him who was worth his money before me, but I decided I didn’t want to know. Instead I opened the box and marveled at the newness of the sleek computer. I lifted the lid and saw a note posted on the screen.

Everything is set up for you. I had your files transferred from your old computer.

The password to log in is: Thanks, Dev

I smiled and typed the password as the login screen popped up. Immediately the screen flashed and the home screen came into view. I looked at the finder window to see that Devin had in fact transferred all my files.

How did you get my old computer

and transfer all the files?

I grabbed it Saturday and did it that night.

Then I came to visit Mitch Sunday

when he was at work to drop off the present.

—————————————————-

Sent from a super sleuth

Haha. Yes, you are very sneaky.

Thank you, Dev. I really love it.

I’m glad you love it. I wish I

was there to see you smile as

you discover everything about it.

—————————————————-

I love your smile

Right about that time, Mitchell and Megan began to walk up the pathway to the front entrance. I looked around at the flowers in vases and decided there was nothing I could do now. If Mitch hadn’t noticed before, he surely would. There was no way to hide them. Even worse, I realized people who worked with Mitch and Megan believed me to be dating Devin. It was going to be a nightmare. There was no way out of this.

You left me in an impossible situation.

M&M are coming in and the whole

office is going to tell them about us.

We didn’t think this completely through.

Calm down, it will be okay. If Mitch questions you,

just stall for now. Tell him they were mistaken and

only thought we were together. I’ll think of something

in the meantime.

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone

Megan was the first to say something when they walked through the door. “Wow, where’d you get all the flowers?”

“They’re my favorite. I just got a new bouquet every day while you were gone.” It was the truth, though I didn’t get them myself.

“What a treat,” Mitch said. “You never buy yourself anything.”

I blushed, knowing what he said was the truth and knowing just exactly who bought the flowers. Megan eyed me suspiciously, but thankfully she didn’t say anything more on the subject.

“I better go,” she said. “I have a ton a work to do.”

“Bye, sweetheart,” Mitch said and I witnessed their quick kiss before they walked to their offices.

They didn’t question the flowers.

And they didn’t see the computer either.

Let’s see if anyone says anything to them.

Good to hear. I’m glad you don’t have

to defend yourself especially on your own.

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone

Are you busy?

Fairly busy. I have to keep Rob and

Terry updated on my progress and

I’m slightly behind in my work.

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone

That’s my fault, I think. I didn’t let you work

Friday night and I’ve kept you occupied since then.

Sorry, Dev. Get to work, I won’t bother you.

You aren’t bothering me and it is certainly

not your fault I am behind. Besides I’ve enjoyed

being occupied by you. Don’t hesitate to text if

you need me or if something happens.

—————————————————-

Sent from the iPhone of Devin Malone

I didn’t text him back, though. Instead I focused on the phone lines that began to ring. At least until Megan walked up to my desk around lunch.

“You going out to lunch with Mitch?” I asked her.

“Later, you want to join?”

“No, it’s okay. I don’t want to encroach on your semi-honeymoon.”

She smiled slightly.

“So what did you come up here for?”

“I wanted to talk to you about something.”

I saw her glance around at the flowers then focus on the computer Devin had bought that I hid under my desk and I knew what she was coming to ask me.

“You’re seeing someone.” It wasn’t a question, but rather more of a statement. “Is it Devin?”

I tried to play it off coolly, but she shook her head. “You can’t fool me, Christy. I thought I noticed something between you two last night and then with the flowers this morning and now that computer, I can’t help but speculate it’s him.”

My face heated and I looked down at the computer. I couldn’t say anything. What could I say? The truth? That we weren’t really seeing each other, only having fun to fool those around us and to teach me the things I didn’t know.

“You can be honest with me. I heard someone in the office say you were dating a tall, dark handsome man. Devin seems to fit that description.” When I kept silent, she continued with her observations. “Then Saturday, Devin said he had to leave for work but then you didn’t come home either from your appointment. I just deduced he went out to meet you.”

I couldn’t take the blatant truths anymore. “Okay, fine, you’re spot on with everything,” I sighed.