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“No. She thinks it’s important for the kids to finish the school year. They’ve moved around a lot. I’m not sure about after the semester ends, but there’s still another month and a half of school, so she has no plans to bolt right away.”
“That’s good. Then it’s not really important what state she’s a permanent resident of, only that she’s sticking around here with the kids for a while. Does she have a criminal history or anything?”
Again, my immediate reaction was to get defensive. But I didn’t actually know that much about Devyn’s history, other than the things she’d shared about her relationship with her mom growing up. “I don’t know for sure, but I doubt it.”
“Family court likes to keep kids with people they know,” Marcus explained. “They’ll almost always consider a blood relative for placement, rather than pulling the kids out of their home and sticking them in foster care. But even a sibling needs to go through a background investigation to get temporary custody. Though if she files, and there are no red flags during her appearance, they’ll probably keep the kids with her while they go through the process.”
I blew out a deep breath, more relieved than I probably should’ve been. “Alright. Then can I ask you a favor? Do you think you can see her today or tomorrow, if she decides to go that route? And handle things for her Monday? I’ll need to talk to her first, obviously.”
“It’ll cost you a bottle of Don Julio—the good shit, not the hundred-dollar stuff.”
“You got it, buddy. I really appreciate it. Let me talk to Devyn, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
“Sounds good. By the way, is this Devyn single?”
“Yeah, she is. Does that hurt her chances?”
“No. But it helps mine. Is she hot?”
I felt my face heat. “She’s off limits. Don’t even think about it.”
“Holy shit. That sounded almost territorial, Dawson. Are you ina relationship?”
I frowned. “Just give her legal help and keep your eyes and hands to yourself, okay?”
Marcus chuckled. “Sounds like someone’s got it bad.”
“I’ll talk to you in a little while.”
I was still shaking my head when I hung up. Marcus had hit a nerve. I didhave it bad. For a woman who had zero interest in me…
Nevertheless, a few minutes later, I decided to go talk to Devyn in person. It wasn’t like I was getting any work done this afternoon anyway.
Devyn smiled when she opened the door to their apartment. “Hey, Owen.”
Unlike when I’d left her a few hours ago, she now wore a flowy, white dress and a full face of makeup. Maybe she was getting ready to go out?
“Sorry I didn’t call first. But I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Umm…” She didn’t step aside for me to enter.
When she looked over her shoulder and back at me, my stomach dropped.Fuck. Did she have a guy in there or something?
“If it’s not a good time…” I said.
She shook her head. “No, no. Come in. I’m just on a Zoom call. I’ll be off in a few minutes.”
My body untensed.It’s just a work call, you jealous idiot. Relax.
Devyn’s laptop was set up in the living room. I didn’t want to get in her space, so I went to the kitchen to wait. But the apartment had an open floor plan, so it wasn’t like I could completely mind my own business.
“Sorry about that,” Devyn said, settling onto the couch. “Where were we?”
“We were talking about you meeting me in Italy next week.”
I froze. I knew that voice.The fucking actor from the movie we almost watched last week. Heractor.
Devyn’s eyes jumped to meet mine. I suddenly felt like a damn fool. I pointed to the door and spoke quietly. “I’m going to go.”
