the button.
Devon’s voice came through the line crystal clear. “Yeah, there’s a dude out here claiming he’s related to you, and based on the fact he looks like he could be your clone, I’m guessing he’s not lying.”
I rolled my eyes, thinking that I didn’t have time for Rowan’s shit today when I hit the buzzer and answered, “Send him in.” Only to get a snarky, “What, are your legs broken?” in return.
I stood and walked from behind my desk, silently making a bet with myself that Devon wouldn’t last longer than a week before I strangled her, just as the sound of raucous laughter echoed through my closed office door seconds before it opened and Devon walked in followed by a man I was actually happy to see.
“I like your assistant, cuz. She’s sexy and doesn’t take any shit.”
I felt myself smile in spite of the headache pounding behind my eyeballs as I laughed and held my arms out, pulling my cousin Collin into a back-slapping hug. “What are you doing here, man?” I asked as I pulled back. “I thought you weren’t coming in for the wedding for another two weeks.”
“Change of plans.” Collin grinned. “The firm transferred me to the New York office. Looks like I’ll be living in the same zip code as the rest of you assholes, now.”
“Firm?” Devon asked from behind us. “Are you a lawyer too?”
“Nah, gorgeous,” Collin answered, shooting her a wink that made the women of Boston salivate. Devon wasn’t lying when she said he looked just like me. Hell, all of us Locklaine men were damn near spitting images of each other. Only real difference with Collin was that he was the only one with brown hair and eyes. “I’m an architect.”
“Cool,” she said with a nod.
I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my wallet, sliding my credit card out of its slot. “Devon, would you mind running out and getting us some coffee? There’s a Starbucks just a block away.”
She let out a put out sigh. “I guess. But I’m getting myself something too. And you’re paying for it since my job title says administrative assistant, not personal bitch.”
“Damn,” Collin burst into laughter. “Where’d you find this one? She’s feisty.”
“She lives next door,” I answered, glowering at Devon. “And if she doesn’t watch it, she’ll find herself unemployed before she knows it.”
“Doubt it,” she grinned knowingly before turning to Collin. “Your cousin here is aiming to bump uglies with my roommate, and I’m the only one with the leverage to convince her he’s worth a round two.” She turned back to me. “And seeing as you should be getting a text within the next twenty minutes, thanking you for the cookie bouquet that you just had delivered, I think you’ll be keeping me around a little while longer.”
My forehead wrinkled in confusion. “But I didn’t—”
Devon’s eyes rolled skyward. “I know you didn’t, dumbass. I did. Having your company card on file comes in pretty handy. You’re welcome.”
Collin’s eyes bounced back and forth between us. “I thought women liked flowers. Isn’t there some sort of rule against sending women food?”
“She’s a florist,” Devon answered. “Plus she’s got a mad sweet tooth. Trust me, the cookies were the way to go.”
The woman truly was an evil genius. I was actually starting to think that maybe I hadn’t made a mistake. I already made headway with her father yesterday, and with Devon on my side, I’d have Delilah in my bed by the weekend.
“Hey,” I called out as she headed toward the door. “Hold on a minute, let me write our order down for you.”
“No need. I’m guessing since you both reek of testosterone you don’t take your coffee any way but black.”
“Sexy, doesn’t take shit, and gets a coffee order right on the first guess,” Collin spoke, a hint of awe in his voice. “I just might have to steal her away from you, Rich.”
“You can’t afford me,” Devon told him with a wink. “Besides, you’re hot and all, and under different circumstances, I’d have no problem climbing you like a tree, but I have a boyfriend so you’d just be stuck pining away for me. Believe me, this is better for everybody. Oh, and don’t text her back,” she informed me. “Make her sweat a little.”
She shut the door, leaving Collin with his mouth hanging open. “Dude,” he breathed a few seconds later. “I’m callin’ it now. I’m marrying that woman one day.”
I laughed and slapped him on