Steal the Day by Lexi Blake Page B

lust. “Not the other way around? I thought you heard something through the grapevine and made a call to her.”
    “No, she called me out of the blue.” He bent down and laid a proprietary kiss on my neck. “She said she needed a mediator. That was the word she used.”
    “What was her name, Dev?” I asked, even though I was pretty sure I knew what her name was. She’d told me she would try again. I was just a little shocked at how fast she’d come back.
    He thought about it for a moment. “I don’t remember. I should remember her name, shouldn’t I? I’m sorry, I might not be as cautious as you but I should remember her freaking name. Did I write it down somewhere?”
    I turned and reached out, taking his hand. “It’s not your fault, Dev. It’s what she does. I bet she called you right before you left to come and get me.”
    He shook his head in confusion. “I remember telling her I couldn’t help out until tomorrow. I had a meeting with some vendors tonight. I must have canceled. I don’t remember doing it though. Why would I do that? I need to renegotiate my liquor contracts. I wouldn’t just cancel.”
    Angelic influence made vampire persuasion look like child’s play.
    I looked around the club and, sure enough, there she was. She sat at a table watching Dev and me with a hopeful look on her face. Felicity Day was wearing an approximation of club clothes, but even with a short skirt and flouncy top she looked out of place—like a brilliant shaft of light on an otherwise cloudy day. I had to suspect the effect was for me and Dev alone, as everyone else completely ignored her.
    Dev’s eyes followed mine. His arms drifted from around me, and he simply stared her way. “Wow, she’s beautiful. She is really beautiful.”
    He couldn’t take his eyes off her, and I rolled mine. She was playing those games again, but I wasn’t buying it this time. I wasn’t sure if it was because I had recently taken Daniel’s blood or perhaps it wasn’t as strong the second time around, but I could control myself around her more easily this time. Dev seemed to be having some trouble. “You aren’t going to be very helpful, are you? Why don’t you go and do whatever it is you do. I think I have to take care of this on my own.”
    I picked up my drink and stalked across the bar to Felicity’s table. “I said no.”
    She gave me a sad smile. “Please sit and talk with me, Zoey.”
    “I’ll talk with you.” Dev sank his lanky frame into the chair and stared at Felicity with his head in his hands. He looked like a twelve-year-old with a crush. It was odd to see Dev so open. “Can I get you anything? I own this place. I can get you anything you want. I own a lot of places.”
    “Dev, it’s a glamour.” It was at least the angelic equivalent of a glamour.
    Dev nodded, a spacey grin on his face. “Yes, she’s very glamorous. I’m glad you see that.” He looked up at me and there was suddenly a pathetic sympathy in his eyes.
    I got a bad feeling about what he was going to say next. “Don’t say what you’re about to say. You’re going to feel stupid about it later, so just keep your mouth shut, babe. This really is a glamour.”
    Dev wasn’t listening to anything but the magic Felicity was working. “I love her, Zoey. I know this is going to hurt you, but we have to break up. I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent together, but I’ve found real love now. We’re going to get married. I hope you can be happy for us. I really want us to stay friends.”
    It took everything I had not to burst into laughter. He looked so sweet and earnest that I really wished I could pull my phone out to capture and replay the moment over and over again. Instead, I just nodded. “Yeah sure, Dev. I completely support your new relationship with a woman you barely talked to on the phone. Maybe I can be a bridesmaid.”
    “That would be great.” He sent a swoony look back at his beloved.
    Felicity had the grace to look