Final days of spring.
The event had already kicked off, before they arrived at the museum. As promised Dynos fixed her entire look. Before they left, and in the car. The man was a true womanizer. He didn't even look the tiniest bit fazed. Unlike her, she was a still a mess on the inside.
Did this mean they were together? Or was this meant to be a causal thing?
As they walked further in she saw her sister, Nana and grandmother talking. They seemed relieved seeing her. All except Sarah. Her eyes were scornful, reminding her of her lateness.
"Where the hell were you?" Maggie whispered to Devin. "Hi, handsome can we borrow her for minute, thanks," she told Dynos as she dragged her sister away.
He waved as he watched her go.
"Seriously. Where were you? I thought you were bailing." Maggie started. " I was about to send people to get you "
Nana eyed Devin and she gave a small smirk. "Clearly Margaret was busy Magnolia."
"Nana." Devin yelped.
"That's no excuse." Maggie flips through her reading cards. "Me and Sam are always early to things and we do it all the time." Maggie interjects.
"I really did not need to know that."
She hadn't spoken to Maggie since the fight. Clearly, she was handling it well because she seemed to have forgotten all about it. It had been more than week, so it obviously wasn't fine.
Maggie got her backstage rehearsing the speech. When it was time, she served and accepted the honor of carrying on the mothers' legacy. She added a few words of her own, just to piss Sarah off. There was an applause at the end for her gentle speech.
Devin spoke with the guest after, for formality's sake. Everything seemed to be going fine.
"Devin!" A voice called out to her.
She turned and gasped in surprise. It was the coffee guy, Ryan. He was in a nice blazer and his red hair was styled back. He looked...different. "Hi."
"I didn't know you were an Elroy. I saw you and your sister on the stage. It was very surprising."
"Thanks...So, what are you doing here?"
He laughed. "Well apparently, my dad is your family lawyer. He wanted me to socialize with his clients, I guess. It's a small world I guess."
"That's so weird. How come I've never seen you around before?"
"I don't know. Never liked attending these things to be honest." His eyes watched hers. " I guess now I have a reason."
Woah, Devin thought. Her heart fluttered a little. She couldn't tell if he was trying to flirt or not, but she had to hand it to him, he was smooth. She remembered how they always spoke during her coffee runs. Even if they were barely conversations.
They spoke for a while, enjoying each other's company. Until she spotted Ross behind him. She excused herself and tapped Ross on the shoulder. "Hi."
He looked at her and his face stiffened. "Hey."
Now she knew something was really up. Both Lynn and Ross haven't spoken to her in weeks. Even at her grandmother's party. They were at everything because they were well connected with the family, so for them to not speak to her was strange.
"I haven't spoken to you and Lynn in a while, Is something wrong?" She tried. Ross would tell her, even if Lynn had a problem with that.
He sighed and pulled her into a corner. Far off from where anyone could see. "I'm not supposed to be talking to you,"
"I can tell Ross, what is it?" She crossed her arms. " You guys have been avoiding me in everything."
Ross rubbed the back of his neck." Well you weren't exactly trying to make conversation were you?"
" Ross... Just tell me."
"Well," He struggled to make contact with her. "It's Lynn, she's pregnant."
Devin gasped, and then her face grew confused. "Why would she be avoiding me if she's pregnant?"
" ...She's been really weird since the whole getting you fired thing. She's been guilty, even if she won't admit it. She... she thinks you're going to stress the pregnancy."
She pulled back" But I'm her friend... her best friend. How the hell would I even do that?"
There was a pause for several seconds, before he held her by the shoulder. He was struggling with his words. " I love you know and it sets her off in the wrong way. I think she's jealous or something . So just until the pregnancy is over, it'd be best to not talk to each other."
The ' I love you' statement went right over her head. " So you guys were going to just ignore me till you birthed a whole being, and figure it out? It's your choice but We're supposed to be friends."
" It's my fault for not telling you earlier. But let's get one thing straight, Lynn is not your friend."
Devin flinched.
He kissed the top of her head. "I'm really sorry it has to be this way, but I want you to know that I'll always be your friend."
Ross left before Devin could even respond. She felt cold. There was a breeze suddenly, and she was left with goosebumps all over. It took everything in her to block those tears. It was worthless to cry, because she already knew; Lynn was Maggie's friend, not hers. And Ross was Lynn's husband not her friend. It was just easier to tell herself that now.
"Do you make a hobby out of crying mistress?" Dynos spoke in a cool tone. Catching her yet again in her worst moments.
"I hat-" She slapped her mouth close. "I'm sorry..." She muffled.
A deliciously evil grin formed on his mouth. "No," He pulled her hands from her mouth slowly and pinned it down her sides, "Finish the sentence Devin... I want to hear you say it." He snaked an arm around her waist pressing her closer and closer to his body.
"Stop." A tear streams down her cheek.
"What? Am I hurting you?" He looked concerned, even though his voice held anger.
She shook her head. "I didn't mean to say it. I was just upset."
He pressed her up against the wall. "Oh dear, but what are we going to do? Now I'm upset." He played with her hair.
There was something about the air that made the moment seem infinite. He said he was angry and upset at her, but his hands seemed not at all coordinated with his feelings. They roamed about her, in the smoothest of ways. He was barely doing anything but the things the sounds escaping her lips told a different story. She wanted him to kiss her so badly.
"You seemed to have a lot to say before." Dynos seemed unimpressed. He nibbled her ear. "You say you hate me, but your mouth does something else entirely."
Devin was tired of his games. "Shut up."
She pulled him by the collar to capture his lips. The feel of his lips melted away the sour feeling she felt in her stomach. The feeling that seemed to grow with each passing day. Whether she was all alone or not.
Each moment that passed she was feeling closer and closer to better. It was like she was actually loved. She was dizzy, but that was the Dynos effect. The way his breath brushed against her face set a fire she didn't even know she had. Was this what kissing was supposed to feel like? She wasn't sure.
He pulled away in that instant. "We need to stop."
She opened her eyes and realized what was happening. She pulled him towards herself. "Where are you going?"
He looked almost apologetic. "You need to be with someone that can actually be with you a long time, Devin. Like that red head boy from earlier. I can't be your comforter when I know I need to be somewhere else."
She shook her head vigorously, holding his hand. "You don't know that. At least not really." Tears flowed down her cheeks. She couldn't understand why he switched on her. "Do you not like me?" She finally asked the question pressing her heart.
He held her face softly and clenched his jaw. Wiping her tears with his thumb, he plants kiss on the bridge of her nose. "I like you enough to do what's best for you."
" I know what's best for me." Devin said defensively.
" Even you know deep down this would never last. You think it all the time." He told her softly.
" Stop reading my mind."
" I can't help it, if I do. Your thoughts are so loud." He caresses her cheeks. " This was never going to work. And I'm foolish for indulging this feeling. I'm sorry."
He left.
No, he left her.
The cool air surrounded her, and like that, she was alone again.