repeating. Now Chester’s really rather biddable. It’s quite tedious.”
“Tedious for you, not for anyone with ankles in the building, Nancy.” To me, he muttered, “Do you want to go in? I just want to have a private word with Nancy.”
Any amusement I’d found in the idea of a Pomeranian guard dog faded as I recognized what that private conversation would be about.
Us.
Primarily, her not telling his mother that she’d seen us kissing.
Frowning as I headed into the living room where I stared out onto Central Park, I tried not to listen in to the conversation, well aware that it would only piss me off even more. But I heard a tinkling laugh that made my lips curve into a smile, and it eased the burden of my temper when Devlin came striding in a few moments after I heard the front door close.
He walked over to me, surprising me by resting his hands on my waist, before sliding them down and around my hips as he moved closer to me. Though I was pissed, and hurt, which was stupid because I didn’t know for a fact I’d been the topic of their conversation, I sighed as I rocked my head back against his shoulder.
“Thank you for being kind.”
My brows rose. “To Nancy? Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because she’s an interfering old busybody.” He grunted. “But she means well. Her and Mother are quite close. I could have strangled her when she told Nancy the apartment next to me was for sale, though.”
“I can’t see her cramping your style.”
“You’d be surprised,” was his rueful retort. “Mostly, she’s in Florida. The weather’s too adverse for her. Too cold in winter and too airless in summer, so I don’t often have to deal with her. It was lucky I saw her, actually. I knew she was leaving within the next few days, but she’s flying into Miami tonight.”
Lucky? “Why?” I asked, shocked because I’d have thought luck would be the last way he’d describe being caught kissing a guy.
“After I spoke with Father today, Mother commandeered the call. She wanted me to ask Nancy why she hadn’t been answering her messages.”
My lips curled inward so that he couldn’t see my smile. “So you were the messenger boy?”
“Yeah, a high-powered one,” he grumbled with disgust.
The insight into his nature was too delicious for words. Not only had we managed to talk for a handful of moments without him doing something odd, but he hadn’t spoken with Nancy in an effort to keep me a secret. The night truly was looking up.
“She seemed sweet.”
“She’s a pit bull. Don’t let the Southern charm sway you. She took both her husbands to the cleaners. Trust me, they’re not living in Park Avenue penthouses anymore.”
I laughed. “I could see that from how much Chanel she’s wearing.”
“Chester’s the only male who’ll put up with her.” He cleared his throat. “She told me to tell you that we’re welcome to kiss on the doorstep anytime she’s around. She enjoyed the show and hopes to see it the next time she’s in town.”
Chuckling, I replied, “Well, I’m happy that we provided her with decent entertainment.”
He kissed the side of my jaw, before muttering in my ear, “I prefer the indecent variety.”
“Me too.” I twisted to look up at him, finding that a heat had overtaken my chest. A warmth that made me feel as if I’d been sitting in the sun.
He compounded that delicious heat by murmuring, “You might think I’m crazy, especially with how much food is in the fridge—”
“Why is there so much food in there?”
He shrugged. “I like variety.”
“What happens to the stuff you don’t eat?”
His brow puckered. “It doesn’t go to waste.”
“Who eats it?”
“Gian takes it to a local food bank.”
“You don’t believe in economizing, do you?”
“I do, just not with food that can serve a purpose elsewhere.”
I frowned at his wording, which made me wonder if he did it intentionally. That’d be nuts, but Devlin wasn’t exactly normal, was he?
“Okay, so why might I think you’re crazy?”
His smile was sheepish. “I’d like to cook for you. A proper meal.”
My eyes flared wide at that, and something inside me sighed. Something that was right where the heat in my chest had taken root.
“Really?” I rasped.
He nodded. “Do you mind? Are you hungry? It will take me a while.”
“Can I help?”
“Do you want to?”
I grinned. “Lead the way.”
Which was how, even after a long ass, tiring day, we made fresh gnocchi and homemade pesto together.
I learned that if I