I smirk. “Why’s that?”

She starts wringing her hands together. “I just thought you might be working late again.”

“Nope.” I say the word with a pop at the end.

“Hi there. Can I get you guys a drink?” the waitress asks. I look over and see a cute little brunette who’s leaning over to give me a perfect view of her ample cleavage. I catch Devyn watching us out of the corner of my eye.

I look at her nametag and give her my infamous panty-melting grin. “Hi, Brigitte. My buddy and I here would love some beers. How about you surprise us?” I wink for added effect.

Brigitte smiles. “Sure. I think I can do that. I’ll be right back.”

Brody gives me a what the fuck look and Devyn glares at Brigitte’s retreating back. I know this is risky but I can’t seem to help myself at the moment. I’m hoping to spark the same green-eyed monster in Devyn that is raging inside of me right now. When she looks my way, I can see that it’s working.

Drew slugs Brody’s shoulder. “Hey, asshole. You want to go shoot some pool?”

“Uh…sure. Riley you want to join us?”

My eyes never leave Devyn. “No, thanks, man. I’m good right where I’m at.”

Brody and Drew get up from the table, laughing at something as they walk away.

Rainey takes a sip of beer and clears her throat. “So, Dev, you were just about to tell us about your big pitch. How’d it go?”

Devyn’s face lights up. “It was perfect. I was perfect. I really think I nailed this account!”

Rainey smiles. “Way to go, girl! When do you find out?”

Jackson pulls Devyn into him and kisses the corner of her mouth. “She should know on Monday. I know she’s going to get it though. She’s worked so hard on this client; more than any before. They’d be fools to turn her down.”

Devyn smiles shyly at his praise. “Thank you, Jackson.”

He pushes her hair behind her ear and nibbles her lobe. “Anytime, babe. I’m proud of you.”

I ball my hands into fists under the table and clench my jaw. I have to remind myself that jumping across the table to pummel this guy isn’t going to accomplish anything. “That’s great, Dev. You always have been the best at everything you do.” I lean over and lower my voice slightly. “And I do mean everything.”

She shifts uncomfortably and blushes. “Thanks, Rye.”

Rainey jumps out of her chair and grabs my elbow. “Wow, I need another beer. Riley, why don’t you come with me so I don’t have to ruin my streak of not paying for my own drinks?”

I look down at her half full glass. “Is there something wrong with that one?”

She grabs the glass and chugs it in two long gulps. “I’m reaaaallly thirsty. I can’t wait for the waitress to come back here.” She grabs Devyn’s wine glass and finishes that off as well. “See? Now Devyn needs a new drink too. Come on.”

She pulls my arm, leading me towards the bar. When we get there I say, “Now do you want to tell me what that was really about?”

She thunks me on the forehead. “Idiot!”

“Ow!” I shout as I rub my forehead. “What the hell was that for?”

“Could you be more obvious?”

The bartender takes our order as I glare at her. Then I say, “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Oh, puh-leez,” she says. “You and Jackson are practically measuring dicks out there! You’re making Devyn really uncomfortable.”

I frown. “I’m not trying to make her uncomfortable.”

“Really?” she sneers. “‘Surprise me with a beer, Brigitte.’ What the fuck was that? Are you trying to get the waitress into bed?”

“No!”

“Well, then what were you doing? Because I’m pretty sure her phone number will be with your drink when we get back.” She gestures to our table where Brigitte is delivering two beers and setting a folded napkin to the side of my glass.

I rake my hand through my hair. “Fuck. I don’t know. I was trying to make Devyn jealous to get her out of her controlled little shell. I would never consider going out with the waitress.”

She rolls her eyes. “You’re playing this all wrong, Riley. Making Devyn jealous isn’t the answer.”

I throw my hands up. “Well, then what is? Please tell me you know because I have no fucking clue!”

“I told you she needs to come to terms with this on her own. Don’t push her because you can’t be patient.” She grabs my elbow and prompts me to start walking. “Let’s get back before they get suspicious.”

We return to our table and I decide to take Rainey’s advice. I unfold the napkin out of curiosity and find Brigitte’s phone number. I tuck it into my shirt pocket so Devyn doesn’t see it, planning to throw it away later. I go through two beers before Drew and Brody return to the table. I shift my attention to them as much as possible so I don’t obsess over the way Jackson can’t seem to keep his hands off Devyn. He’s touching her and kissing her at every possible opportunity. All I see is red by the time I’ve finished my third beer.  I mean seriously, is the PDA really necessary? He’s practically humping her at the table, for fuck’s sake! And she definitely doesn’t seem into it. I can see her growing more and more irritated as he continues. Doesn’t he realize that she’s inching her chair away from his?

Devyn stands. “I need to go to the bathroom.” She quickly walks away without another word.

I count to twenty and pretend to read something on my phone. “I’ll be right back. I have to check in with work.”

I duck away and head in the direction that Devyn fled. I spot the womens’ restroom and wait right outside the door.

Devyn jumps when she sees me upon exiting. “Riley! What are you—”

I cut her off when I shove her into the bathroom and shut the door. I turn the lock and check under the stalls for feet. We’re alone. Good.

“Why are you even with that tool?” I growl. “You two don’t have anything in common.”

Her cheeks redden. “What the hell kind of question is that? He’s a good man. He’s been nothing but kind to me and Nathan over the years.”

“Kind?” I sneer. “Wow, that’s not the word I’d want my woman to use when describing me.”

“What’s wrong with kind?”

“Kind is boring. Kind is safe. Kind is NOT passion. Fireworks. Kind does not get you off. Kind is the word I’d use to describe my accountant.” Her eyes widen with that last word. “Oh my God, he’s an accountant?”

“What’s wrong with that?” she asks. “It’s a perfectly respectable way to make a living.”

“Jesus Christ, Devyn. What happened to not settling? That’s exactly what you’re doing! There’s no way Mr. Stick-Up-His-Ass back there knows how to work your body over until you can’t see straight. Has he ever even made you come?”

She blushes and screams, “Not everything is about sex, Riley!”

“No, it’s not,” I admit. “But you can’t spend the rest of your life with someone who doesn’t know how to satisfy you.”

“I never said that he didn’t!”

“You didn’t have to!” I scream back.

She throws her hands up in the air. “What do you suggest? Who should I be with?” She laughs mockingly, pissing me off. She reaches into my shirt pocket and pulls out the napkin. “What’s this, Riley?”

I try to grab it as she unfolds it. “Nothing. I was going to toss it.”

She laughs again as she reads it. “Right. Why should I believe you?”

“Because it’s the truth!” I shout.

She waves the napkin in the air. “And I’m supposed to just take your word for it? You don’t want a real relationship, Riley! This phone number proves that. You can’t do long term monogamy!”

I grab it from her and throw it on the floor. “I didn’t want the fucking number! I don’t want anyone else’s fucking number!”

“Then what do you want, Rye? What the hell do you want?”

“YOU! All I’ve ever wanted since the day we met was you!”

She’s stunned. “What?”

I decide actions speak louder than words. Fuck Rainey’s advice. Devyn needs a reminder of how explosive we are together. I advance upon her and cage her against the wall.