No More Tall Tales [Midori]

[Devon Wentsworth]

It was cosy and comfortable in the living room, the plates from dinner sat empty on the table and Tory snoring softly curled up on the chair. Devon had been planning a movie night with Midori and Tory for a little while, and while he was glad he'd finally been able to organise it properly, there was a weight hanging on his shoulders that was most definitely killing his buzz for the evening. The pasta bake with cheesy garlic bread had gone down well, but he hadn't been able to relax into the movie at all. He knew that part of that was the movie itself (try as he might, Disney would never be his thing), but he also knew that he couldn't put off what needed to be said any longer.

Cade had been nagging him for weeks to have the conversation with Midori, and while Devon knew it was the right thing to do, he had been putting it off and putting it off as much as humanly possible. It needed to be said, one way or another, but he would be lying if he said he wasn't afraid of what the consequences of saying it might be. Hell, despite having gone over it a hundred times in his mind so far he wasn't even sure exactly how to say it.

Tory was clearly out for the count, the toddler blank to the world as the characters on the screen sang some song about having dreams, or something. Devon wasn't really paying any attention to what was going on. He leaned forward, putting his glass down on the table, and after anxiously chewing his lips for a moment he turned to Midori. “Hey... Can we talk? There's... There's something I think you should know, and I think it'll be better hearin' it from me than someone else.”

[Midori Hawkins]

Depending on her recruitment assignments, sometimes getting together could be challenging, but the past few months had been nothing short of wonderful. Seeing Devon on a regular basis, sometimes with Tory, sometimes not, was proving to be successful so far, despite both of them wondering how well it might work in the beginning. Tonight hadn’t been any exception. Tory had been thrilled he got to join in on date night, despite not making it very far into the movie he’d picked to bring. He’d exhausted himself earlier, running around chasing and rolling around the floor with Bliss, who was also flat out sleeping now.

Midori was blissfully unaware of Devon’s internal turmoil, gaze turned to the television as Tangled played. It was a stupid movie, yes, but she liked the moments of near-adult humor involved, and it helped that both Maximus and Pascal were a great comedy team. She’d seen it many times before, though, so it was easy enough to distract her.

As Devon shifted beside her, Midori turned to look at him, curiosity in her eyes. Her expression soon changed to one of minor alarm, though she tried to pack it back down again. “Of course we can,” she said, though now she was worried. It was clearly serious enough that they needed to talk... and that could be any number of things. Especially if she could hear it from someone else... No. She wasn’t going to start hazarding guesses all over the place, and possibly making mountains from mole hills. Gently, to reassure him, she laid her hand on top of Devon’s. “You can tell me anything,” she assured him softly, despite her nerves.

[Devon Wentsworth]

To say that Devon was anxious would have been a huge understatement. He knew that what he needed to say was hardly the stuff dreams were made from, and he was very aware that it could cause Midori to turn tail and leave, abandoning the bridges they had built over the past few months. Devon wouldn’t have blamed her, not in the slightest, and he knew that as much as he would want to, he would make no effort to try to get her to stay. She had to know the full story, that he knew, and he would allow her to be completely free to react to it however she saw fit. After all, she didn’t just have her own life to worry about, but Tory’s too.

Devon could hear the slight tone of alarm in Midori’s voice, and though he didn’t blame her for it in the slightest it still hurt to hear. This whole thing they had going on was still utterly terrifying to him, but despite the fear he found much to his surprise that he had been happier this past few months than he had been for years. That was all the more reason to tell her, though, he rationed. Happiness based on lying by emission was not real happiness, after all. When she laid her hand on top of his Devon gently rolled his hand over, letting their fingers loosely twine as they rested on the sofa.

Chewing the inside of his lip anxiously, Devon spent a moment trying to work out exactly what to say, his eyes never leaving the fabric of his jeans, not wanting to meet Midori’s gaze in case his nerve folded like a house of cards. “The last relationship I had was… a really long time ago. It was just… bad. We weren’t – no - I wasn’t happy, and we kept bein’ dicks to each other and it was just… bad, and then it ended… really badly.” The hand not twined with Midori’s picked distractedly at a loose strand of cotton on the hem of his shirt. “When it was over I decided that I just… I didn’t want that again, y’know? For me or for whatever girl it was. But… I didn’t want certain things to stop, and I… Ah, crap… I don’t know how many girls’ there was. I really don’t know.” At some point, he wasn’t sure when, Devon had closed his eyes and both hands had moved up to rub his temples. He was now just waiting to hear the slam of the door as Midori and Tory left.

[Midori Hawkins]

Midori had honestly been feeling good about how things were going with Devon. She liked spending time with him in a new capacity, and Tory clearly had no issue with him being around more. That had always been the biggest potential hurdle – how Tory might get along with any potential boyfriend. But with Devon filling that role, she hadn’t worried so much. Tory adored the art teacher, and while sometimes Midori worried that he was actively trying to smother Devon, she was just glad to see him happy about the situation.

She glanced down as Devon twined his fingers with hers, and she gently squeezed, hoping whatever was going to come was something they could deal with... well, together. Wasn’t that was couples did? Her mind was still flitting around all kinds of worst case scenarios, which was only serving to up her anxiety over what may come. She couldn’t think like that. She just had to wait until Devon gathered himself enough to say what he wanted to.

As he started, she listened carefully, waiting before she said or did anything to spook him off of his train of thought. At each pause she would gently give his hand another squeeze, encouraging him to keep going. Only... when he got to the end... she swallowed and glanced over at Tory, who was still out like a light. For a moment all she could think of was how she’d felt when she’d found out from Clarisse that Darryl had been seeing her at the same time as Tory had... well, come into play. She’d felt hurt, and guilty, but most of all her heart had gone out to Clarisse. Darryl may have been a bit of a player, but... Devon too? She remained silent for a moment, processing this. One question sprung to mind, but it was one she was terrified to ask. She couldn’t fault him for wanting... that without the attachment, especially if things had ended so badly the last time around. He needed to know that. As he’d let go of her hand in favor of bringing it up to his temples, she simply left hers on his leg.

“... I can’t blame you for wanting that, Devon. If things ended that badly the last time.” At least her voice didn’t betray her biggest worry. “And it’s okay.” She had to push Darryl from her mind, because he had nothing to do with this. Devon wasn’t like him. Not in the slightest. “I just...” Now she was the one that couldn’t quite muster up the courage to look at him. “... The last girl you were with... like that... was that before or after we started... this?” She wanted to have faith in Devon and not be worried about the answer, but at the same time... she could be insecure, and she was scared.

[Devon Wentsworth]

For so long Devon had been avoiding any kind of relationship or closeness of that kind with any woman, and it had been so easy. All of the thrill with none of the commitment and none of the risks of everything going wrong and everyone getting badly hurt. It had been perfect for him, and while he knew it was hardly classy and he knew that he was forever missing out on the potential for something more, he had always believed that the benefits massively outweighed the drawbacks. Everyone got what they wanted, and no-one risked getting hurt. Then Midori had walked into his life...

Devon would be lying if he said he wasn't absolutely terrified. Not just of admitting the truths of his past to Midori, but of what they had become over time. He was frightened of losing this, of hurting her and hurting Tory in the process, and all of this was fed by a fear of being with her because he knew all too well just how horrifically it could end. At the same time, though... he knew that he desperately wanted to be with her, and not just in a physical way like it had been with all the others.

The silence after he had spoken seemed to stretch out for an eternity, and Devon thought it was even worse than hearing a door slamming. He didn't blame her for being upset or hurt, but he knew that she needed to know. It wouldn't have been right going any further if she didn't know the full truth so she could make her mind up on her own.

Devon stayed quiet as Midori spoke, her words sinking in but not really processing. Of course it wasn't okay, otherwise this would have been a simple chat over coffee and he wouldn't be feeling sick to his stomach. At Midori's question Devon looked up, glancing over at her. “Before. I went to New York for new year's and I met up with a girl there, but it was just one night. That was the last, I promise. I wouldn't...” Devon went to take Midori's hand but hesitated part-way there, letting his hand just drop back onto his leg instead. “I swear I wouldn't do that to you. I couldn't...”

[Midori Hawkins]

Midori had never had the drive to do... well... that. In her mind, relationships had always far outweighed any desire for one night stands. Sure, she had friends who had done it, or did it all the time and loved it. But she was different. Even growing up, she’d always had that ideal of finding her prince, falling in love, and having a family. Instead... life had intervened. She loved Tory, she did, but she would never, ever fall prey to that kind of man again. Sure, it had all been very much unplanned and, while she loathed to actually think it, an accident, but she wouldn’t have changed the outcome. She loved Tory dearly, regardless of the fact his father was the very definition of a worm sometimes. As far as she was concerned, he could keep on working in Hollywood and it would be fine with her.

Devon wasn’t the only one scared, but for Midori, she was worried about what could possibly be on Devon’s mind. And when she heard it voiced? She had to admit, it was scary. Darryl kept coming up in her mind no matter how much she tried to bat him back, because Devon was not Darryl. But it was a reminder all the same, and a sort of red flag. But she wanted to give Devon a chance. With what he’d said before about his last relationship falling apart so badly, she couldn’t blame him for making those kinds of choices. It was sort of the same for her, after all. The one slip, the one unplanned one night stand had turned her away from that kind of behaviour... well... forever, really, if she had a choice in it.

And of course, she was still terrified of his answer. She bit her lip gently as she waited, but at the news it was before she stopped, her shoulders dropping slightly in relief. If it was before, then... he hadn’t done it since their first date. Which gave her hope. Watching his hand, she gave him a gentle smile and shifted so that she laced her fingers with his in reassurance. “Devon,” she said softly to get his attention. “I won’t say it’s not scary, because I don’t want to lie to you. But I get it. I do. No one would be jumping to commit to someone again with the last time going so wrong. So I understand.” She squeezed his hand lightly. “Thank you. For telling me.” Her gaze wandered to Tory, still curled up out cold, before coming back to Devon again. “That must have been terrifying.” That, she could relate to. Some things were just hard to share. Like... yeah, like Tory. Her gaze flicked back to her son. “If we’re sharing... you already know the scariest part of my life, but...” She sighed softly. “I know you know Tory’s dad isn’t around. And part of it is that I don’t think he places family over work at all, but... it’s also because he was a one night stand. ... Sort of.” How in the hell did she explain this? “It was unplanned. All I can say is that there was alcohol involved and some... poor decisions were made.” It had been a long time since she’d been this candid with anyone about Tory before. Thank God he was asleep. “So it is scary to know you were with a number of women.” She closed her eyes for a moment before squeezing his hand again. “But... I trust you, Devon. And I want this to work.” And now both of them were a little more informed about the other. She wouldn’t lie and say that what Devon had said didn’t scare her, but she meant what she’d said. She trusted him.

[Devon Wentsworth]

Of all the reactions Midori could have had to the truth Devon had told her, never would he have predicted that she would be so accepting of it. The worry was evident in her voice but so too was the honesty and he stared at her, almost in shock, as she took the hand that he had shifted onto his lap. He had never believed in fairy tales and happily ever afters, but he had also believed that no one would be able to hear that kind of truth and be anything other than offended or repulsed. He listened intently as Midori spoke, giving a small nod of his head when she mentioned that it must have been frightening. “It was, but... I need to be honest, it still is. I would never, ever hurt you like that, but this... what we have, it's still so scary. You are so amazing, both of you, and you are so worth the fear and I am trying so hard, but... but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't there.”

Devon knew that he would never cheat on Midori like that. For as much of a reputation as he had, he had enough morals that there was a very solid line in the sand there. Despite his worries he did care about both her and Tory and he could never bring himself to hurt them like that. However, no matter how hard he tried to ignore it there was a constant red flag waving in his mind, telling him to just abandon this before it got too serious and they all got hurt. Suppressing that was a constant battle and it was getting easier with time, but it was still always there. There was a part of Devon that feared that perhaps it would never truly go away.

When Midori began to speak about Tory and his father Devon listened intently, and while he did truly sympathise for both Midori and Tory... he couldn't entirely hate the man responsible because he couldn't say he would have done much different. For as much as Devon liked to think he was a good person and believed he would do the right thing in that situation, he also knew that he was a massive coward when it came to that kind of responsibility. Still, that didn't stop him feeling sorry for Midori and the hand she had been dealt. “I'm sorry it went that way for you, and I know it must've been real hard. Tory's a great kid, though. Some good came outta it, at least.” Devon took a deep breath, and gave a small nod of his head. “Thanks. I want this to work too, more than I've ever wanted anythin'. I'm sorry I scared ya, but I think you needed to know, and I promise, it's only you now. I don't want anyone else.”

[Midori Hawkins]

Midori had always been the type to accept the good, the bad, and the ugly. Her parents had helped early on to teach her those values, and though sometimes it was hard, or, like now, scary, she always strove to find a way to do it. Already she understood, with his explanations, why he wouldn’t have wanted to try again. She could also understand why he’d want certain... things to continue. It didn’t make her particularly like those decisions, but she could understand them, and sometimes understanding was better than actual approval. Understanding was sometimes the hardest part, and if she could do that, then they had a chance of moving past this. The fact he didn’t want to hurt her gave her more than enough hope, even if she agreed that this was scary. For different reasons, yes, but it was. “You’re not the only one,” she reminded gently, giving his hand another soft squeeze. “I mean, letting someone into your life is one thing, but to involve your child too...” Her gaze wandered back to Tory. She’d trust Devon with him, there was no question about that, but it didn’t stop it from being scary nonetheless. “But I meant what I said. I trust you.” Even with Tory.

She’d always thought her son would be a bit of a roadblock when it came to dating, especially with how he had come about. Women with children from legitimate relationships had trouble enough. Yet it was because of Tory that she was even this far. Like it or not, she had her son to thank. Funny to think that instead of a roadblock, he had instead become a catalyst. And even the truth behind his existence hadn’t seemed to send Devon skittering. They both seemed to have skeletons in their closets, but yet neither of them were moving after seeing one another’s. Yes, she was daring to be hopeful, and cautiously optimistic about the whole thing.

Midori had honestly spent a lot of time hating Darryl, and only part of it had been blamed on hormones. She’d hated him for cheating on Clarisse, she’d hated him for reacting like he had, and though that initial hatred had fizzled to a soft ember, it flared every so often. Every forgotten or unreasonably late birthday card seemed to fan it again, and there were sometimes moments where she honestly wouldn’t care if she saw him again. Though Tory had an awareness of who he was, she wondered if he’d even recognize him now. But that was neither here nor there now. Her attention was Devon’s now. “It was,” she admitted, keeping darker thoughts of Tory’s father locked tight. “But Tory’s great, you’re right. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.” As Devon admitted to wanting things to work too, Midori felt her whole mood shift and her heart skip a little faster. She hadn’t dated in such a long time, or even really been with someone since Tory. It was no wonder saying things like that had such an effect on her. Twisted fairy tale or not, she was happy. “Thank you,” she murmured softly. “For telling me, and for listening.” After a quiet moment of debate, she shifted slightly closer to him and leaned up to very gently place a soft kiss on his cheek to reinforce it. It didn’t matter what he’d done in the past. What would matter was what happened going forward.

[Devon Wentsworth]

Since the monumental fallout with Katie, Devon had resigned himself to the fact that he would be alone in life. There would be women occasionally, of course, but they would only ever be passing by, a temporary fix for him just as much as he was one for them. He’d never even entertained thoughts of even attempting anything more than that, because what was the point? The pain at the other end was not worth it. Then Midori and Tory had come along and suddenly he had realised that maybe the rewards were worth the risk. He had taken a massive gamble by telling Midori the truth, but it had seemed to pay off. He didn’t want to be hiding the shadows of his past from her any more. Devon glanced over at the sleeping toddler as Midori mentioned him, and he gave a small nod of his head. “I understand… and I meant what I said, too, that night at mine with the snow. Even if this… this doesn’t work, I will always have your back. Yours and his. That’ll never change. I don’t want to hurt either of you, not ever.”

Involving a woman more closely into his life had been such an issue for Devon for so long, he’d actively avoided interacting in that way with ones with children because there was no way he was emotionally or psychologically ready to deal with the potential fallout from that. However, he had met Midori thanks to her son, and Devon still found it hard to believe that he was possible to care about a child as much as he did for Tory. He wanted to try to be with Midori, of that Devon was absolutely certain, but he would be lying if he said she was the only reason he wanted to try his best to make this work.

The fact that Midori had raised Tory so completely alone filled Devon with a new sense of respect for her, especially considering how amazing a person the toddler was turning out to be. They had both been through darkness, but she had dealt with hers far better than Devon ever had and it was impossible for him to not hold her in awe. “He’s proof that amazing things can come from even the darkest moments. You really have done great with him.” Devon gave a small nod at her thanks, and confusion creased his brow for a moment as she scooted closer. He hadn’t expected the kiss, not at all, and when it came he stared at her in stunned disbelief. Of all the things he could have predicted to come from his admittance, never in a hundred years would he have put money on that. For a long moment he tried to regain his thoughts and compose himself, and when he was eventually able to form words they came out slightly anxiously, but honest. “Thank you, for telling me about Tory. And for understanding. I never want to hurt either of you.”

Devon hesitated, internally conflicted, but ultimately his gut instinct won over his common sense. Turning slightly where he sat, he leaned across and placed a feather-soft kiss against her lips, lingering for barely a moment before breaking away as he leaned back. “You really are the best of people.”

[Midori Hawkins]

Risks like this were not something that Midori took lightly. Eli moving in and helping her with Tory had been one thing. She’d known him since they were teenagers, and they had remained best friends all these years. Devon was a friend too, but she hadn’t known him nearly as long. Yet Tory adored him, and quite honestly, Midori liked him too. Being friends helped immensely in making the slow transition to... this. It was still odd to think that Tory was technically to thank for them being together at all, in any capacity, when he was the one she was most worried about. It was one thing to put herself on the line, but quite enough to involve Tory. It was a risk, yes, but so far one she was far from regretting. Especially when Devon reminded her about the first night they’d spent together. She smiled and nodded. “I know. And that’s part of why I trust you. We’d have yours too, you know, no matter what.” The smile turned almost coy. “Especially Tory. He’s a great sidekick.”

Despite not having Darryl around to actively help much beyond when Tory was tiny, Midori had never quite been completely alone. She’d always had Eli around, and her family wasn’t that far away that they couldn’t make the drive if she truly needed them. She’d also had an amazing support group through Hammel. James had always been there for her, as had Sean, and they had always been willing to help watch Tory in a pinch. Even Devon in an odd way had also been part of that group as of late. So while yes, she was technically a single mother, she’d never been completely alone. No, that didn’t give Tory a solid father figure at all, because Darryl rarely, if ever, counted. But that didn’t really matter. She was proud of her son regardless. “Thank you,” she said softly. “It’s unreal how proud I am of him.” No, they hadn’t had it all that easy, but Tory was growing up into a person she truly hoped she could continue to be proud of.

The kiss had been far from planned, but now she’d done it, she couldn’t take it back. His expression worried her for a moment, but when he managed to form words again, she relaxed a little. Maybe she hadn’t overstepped an invisible line after all. “I’m glad you told me,” she assured softly. “And that I could tell you too.” Now everything was out in the open, there wasn’t much to worry about, right? They could go back to relaxing and watching the movie.

Devon’s shift held her attention, but she couldn’t have predicted this. Though she was surprised for a moment, she found it strangely natural to meet his kiss. As it broke she couldn’t hide the color on her cheeks, but she didn’t rightly care. There was an odd, almost giddy feeling welling up inside despite the seriousness of the discussion they’d just had. God, what was she, sixteen again? Swallowing it down, she simply smiled and squeezed his hand again. “So are you, Devon.” And she meant it.

[Devon Wentsworth]

In truth, it would have been easy for Devon to lie by omission. With the exception of Cade no-one knew for certain about how that aspect of his life had flowed, though he strongly suspected that Ferris and Rome would be able to make an educated guess of it. But a lie by omission was still a lie, and he didn't want to be like that any more. He didn't want to go any further with Midori without her knowing the full truth, and he certainly didn't want to live that kind of life any more. The realisation of that meaning that he would have to tell her the truth had been an awful one, but now it was out in the open, he did not regret making that decision. It was better that she knew now, and judging by her reaction, he had made the right call. He met her smile with a small one of his own. “He really is. One day I'm gonna make him a cape. I think he's more than earned it.”

Devon had never been too overly find of children, which was admittedly a slightly bad thing considering he was a teacher, but it was true regardless. His own experience as a youth had taught him that they could be supremely shitty to each other, and teaching had only reinforced that belief as he saw the depth to which bullying could go. He enjoyed helping them and teaching them and watching them develop both as artists and as people, but he found it very easy to keep himself mentally distant from them. They were there at school, and they were gone when he went home at night. Tory, however, had breached that wall. That little kid was such an amazing miniature human being that Devon found himself trying caring about his well-being and happiness, and yes, if this ended badly Midori wouldn't be the only one he'd be crushed over losing. “Understandable. You've done great with him.”

Midori hadn't pulled away or shoved him away or slapped him at the kiss, and when she in fact returned it a massive weight lifted off Devon's shoulders. He physically and psychologically relaxed, relief at the lack of a rejection flooding through him, and as he broke it off he settled back down on the sofa to get comfortable again. “Thank you for understanding.” He returned the gentle squeeze, letting his thumb softly stroke the back of her hand, and glanced over at Tory. The toddler had shifted slightly but was still clearly out cold. “He looks so happy sleepin' like that.”

[Midori Hawkins]

The past wasn’t always the easiest thing to talk about, especially with new people. Outside her friends, Midori knew she would have a tough time talking about how Tory had actually come about. Hell, she still had family that probably didn’t know much beyond the fact he existed. Part of it was the fear of rejection, or people voicing unwelcome opinions. But when it came down to it, things had happened, and those things shaped who she was. It was the same for Devon, and she could see that. Perhaps she was lucky that she could see that side of things, rather than listening to him admit to having a long string of unattached women in his wake and getting offended and running off. That wasn’t fair to him. And while asking if the last time he’d done it was before or after they’d started seeing each other had been terrifying, it had also been reassuring. She trusted him, and until he gave her a reason not to, she would continue to do so. “If you do that, he’ll wear it everywhere. I promise.” She could already foresee talks with his preschool teacher, but she couldn’t rightly let it bother her. If Tory was happy, she was happy.

Tory tended to break a lot of walls. He was a good kid, naturally curious, and almost alarmingly social at times. Practically from the time Tory had started to walk on his own she’d found herself chasing after him as he sought to make friends with everyone and anyone he encountered. Sometimes it was scary when he went tearing around Hammel, knowing that some of the students couldn’t exactly be trusted with a stick of gum, let alone a toddler, but it was because of Tory running around Hammel that she’d met Devon. She couldn’t fault him for that, especially now. “Thank you. I mean, we’ve had help, but I’m so happy he’s come this far like this.” He wasn’t overtly spoiled, he didn’t often throw epic tantrums, and he wasn’t destructive. All positives in her book. She just hoped that he could continue like that.

As Devon leaned back, Midori was content to stay close to him. She still felt the excited flutter that accompanied a first kiss, and she was happy to hold on to that for as long as she could. Leaning lightly against Devon, she relaxed into the soft stroking along her hand. “You’re welcome,” she said softly, despite the fact she didn’t really think it needed saying. She’d give him all the reassurance he needed. Glancing Tory’s way, she laughed softly and shook her head. “That boy can sleep anywhere, and in the most contorted positions I’ve ever seen. He’s like a cat.”

[Devon Wentsworth]

With that particularly unpleasant discussion over, for now at least, Devon was able to settle down and relax again. The foreboding weight of it was no longer pressing down on his shoulders and though he knew that perhaps the subject would come up again in the future, for now he was happy to put it aside again. It was a nasty part of his history that he felt some shame for, but it was still a part of who he was and he was thankful that Midori hadn’t seen it as a wall creating a dead-end for any possible future interactions with him. “I bet he would. I might have to try and learn how to sew properly; make one for his birthday or something.”

Devon gave a nod of understanding as Midori spoke about Tory. She was right, he wasn’t at all a bad sort, and it was impressive that she’d managed to raise him alone to be such a good kid. Having help was one thing, but Devon knew how some people struggled with their kids when there was two adults there full-time. “You should be happy, and proud of yourself too, I think.”

Shuffling slightly to get comfortable, Devon relaxed with the reassuring gentle pressure of Midori leaning against his side. Of all the scenarios he’d had running through his head of how this could have gone, this was certainly not an ending he had been expecting. He definitely wasn’t complaining though. He chuckled softly and nodded in agreement. “Seems so. Just be glad he’s more like Bliss than Uno.” Devon carefully lifted Midori’s arm to rest on his leg, the fingertips of the hand not twined with hers ever so gently stroking up and down her forearm.

[Midori Hawkins]

As hard as it was to hear, Midori was still glad that Devon had told her. Now he’d reassured her, she almost felt guilty for asking him whether or not the last time with a girl had been before or after they’d started seeing each other. She trusted him, for heaven’s sake. And the fact he’d told her rather than hidden it further reinforced that fact. The past was in the past, and it could stay there.

... As long as she didn’t have to beat off any old flames that resurfaced. That would be difficult. And awkward. And she wasn’t going to think about that as a remote possibility.

Laughing softly, she looked up at Devon’s grey eyes, her own brown ones dancing with good natured humor. “Maybe you need to sit in on a sewing class at Hammel during a free period. That’ll get you somewhere with your sewing skills.” Tilting her head, she smiled. “Alternatively, super glue could work too. He’d love anything you made him, honestly. He totes around that coloring book you made him at Christmas like it’s the holy grail.” She wished she was exaggerating, but no. He really did tote it around like it was the most magical thing in the world.

“I’m happy,” she admitted. “I don’t always know about the proud of myself thing, but I’m happy.” She had a lot of things to be happy about. She had a good job, a great son, and now... a budding relationship with an amazing man. Why wouldn’t she be happy?

She was also comfortable where she was. Devon was warm to sit with, and she knew the movie well enough to not have to pay it too much attention. “Can you imagine a human version of Uno?” She had a soft spot for the big grey tom, but she didn’t have to live with him. Any affection she showed him tended to be taken in an almost begrudging way, while Bliss just soaked it up merrily, much like Tory. “Don’t get me wrong, I like Uno. But as far as personality goes... yeah, I’m happy he’s more like Bliss than Uno.” She smiled as he shifted her arm, making it easy for him. His touch almost made her want to purr herself. Despite how the evening’s conversation had shifted, she was still glad to be with him. “I could do this every night,” she murmured softly before peeking up at him, a slightly mischievous look on her face. “Crash your couch... steal your TV... eat your food...” A soft giggle bubbled up. Yeah, despite the serious nature of their earlier conversation, this was what she liked. Devon made her feel at ease.