Series: The Laws of Opposite Attract Series by Vi Keeland
Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
“Does that mean you’re considering trying for more than temporary custody?”
She gulped back her wine. “I might...”
“Wow. That’s a lot to take on—two teenagers.”
Devyn’s face fell, and it made me realize how negative my reaction had seemed.
“Sorry, that came off as not very supportive. I think it would be amazing if you did that. It’s a very noble thing to do, and I’m sure it would change the course of Heath and Hannah’s lives in a positive way. I just meant, it would obviously change your life a lot, too.” I paused. “What about children of your own someday?”
Devyn shrugged. “I’m not sure. My mom didn’t exactly show me the joys of motherhood. I think I’ve mentioned it’s not something I’ve felt like I needed to be fulfilled. Though, if the right person came along…I don’t know…maybe?”
I nodded.
“How about you?” She traced her finger over the rim of her wine glass. “You’ve said in the past that you weren’t sure about marriage and kids...”
I shook my head. “I’ve never seen myself as a dad. I’m not sure why. My father was a great role model, so it’s not that. But I guess like you, maybe if the right person came along, and they really wanted kids...”
Devyn sighed. “I need to give it a lot more thought before I make a decision about anything permanent. Luckily, right now I only need to deal with getting temporary custody. So…baby steps.”
Her wine glass was almost empty, so I refilled it. I figured she could use it.
“Anyway, let’s talk about something else. I think my head is going to explode if I think about petitions and hearings anymore today.” She sipped her wine. “What do you want to talk about?”
The Zoom I’d interrupted this afternoon had been bugging me all day, and she’d just given me the perfect opening to dig around. I caught her eyes. “Would it be alright if we talked about the Zoom you were on earlier this afternoon?”
She sighed. “You mean Robert.”
I nodded. “I can’t help it. It’s been gnawing at me. What’s the deal with him? Is he the reason you don’t want anything more than what we had?”
“Yes and no. No, I’m not in a committed relationship with him, but yes, maybe my experience with him has factored into my not wanting to be in a relationship at all.”
“Did he screw you over that bad?”
“To be fair, he didn’t really screw me over. I saw from the beginning that he wasn’t ready for a relationship. But I liked him. His star was on the rise, and I accepted whatever he wanted to give.” She rolled her eyes. “Boy, saying that out loud, it sounds pretty pathetic.”
A few months ago, I would’ve thought taking less than what you really wanted from a relationship was pathetic, but I wasn’t so sure I wouldn’t do the same thing right now—take what I could get from her.
I shook my head. “It doesn’t sound pathetic at all.”
“Thank you for saying that.” She smiled. “Even if you’re full of shit.”
“Are you going to Italy with him? I couldn’t help but overhear him mention a ticket and figuring out dates.”
Devyn shook her head. “No, I’m not going anywhere. The kids are my priority right now. Robert can’t comprehend anyone but him being the priority, no matter how many times I’ve told him I have my hands full.”
“No offense, but he sounds like a douchebag.”
She smiled. “He definitely can be.”
An awkward silence descended. I would’ve liked to probe a little more, but the conversation felt over. No use beating a dead horse, anyway. Plus, she’d had a shitty day and didn’t need my whining to bring her down. So I changed topics and spent the next half hour amusing her with stories about all the crazy shit I’d come across in real estate—buyers caught banging in the bedroom when they were supposed to be discussing a possible offer, owners leaving a vibrator out on the nightstand only to have the five-year-old child of a couple looking at the apartment play with it like it was a rocket… At least making her laugh made me feel good inside.
When Devyn finished her second glass of wine, she let out a deep breath and stood. “I should get back upstairs before the kids paint the apartment purple or something.”
“I’d say you’re exaggerating, but I saw the striped cat.”
At the door, Devyn paused. “Thank you again for everything, Owen. You really are an amazing friend. If this keeps up, Mia might have some competition for the title of BFF.”
For the first time since we met, I felt like Devyn friend-zoning me might be the best thing for both of us. She had so much going on in her life, and things with that Robert clown were far from settled.
“Are you going to make us matching friendship bracelets?” I asked.