The thick carpet was soft under her canvas runners, and she found her gaze drawn to three massive seascapes hanging on the pale yellow walls. The scenes were calm and soothing, with whispery grasses and delicate wildflowers blooming along the shores. It wasnt what she would have expected of Konrad.
Taking a bracing breath, and telling herself she had no choice but to snoop, she started with a small desk in one corner, carefully and quietly pulling open the three drawers. The contents were impersonal-a pad of paper, a few gold pens, a phone book and a calculator.
Next, she moved to one of the dressers, wiping her damp palms across her blue jeans before flipping up the iron handles and pulling open the top drawer. It was Konrads underwear. Though she herself kept many precious bits and pieces in her underwear drawer, she wasnt going there. There might be a signed confession hidden beneath his boxers, but she wasnt willing to dig it out.
The remaining dresser drawers mostly held T-shirts, sweatpants and pajamas. She closed them up and moved to the closet.
There she was shocked to find some of Monicas clothes still hanging in neat rows and folded on banks of shelves. At least Devin assumed they were Monicas clothes. They were about the right size, and it was definitely Monicas wedding dress hanging in the far corner, covered in plastic film.
For a moment, Devins throat closed up with loneliness. She took a few steps closer and reached out to touch the dress.
It had been such a blissful wedding, full of excitement and promise. It was the most elegant event Devin had ever attended and, at the time, shed fully expected Monica to live happily ever after.
Monica had been radiant, and Devin herself had felt incredibly beautiful that night. Shed worn a floor-length, violet silk dress, with a spray of flowers in her hair, and a delicate diamond pendant that Monica had given her as a bridesmaid gift. Shed danced with other guests until her feet were blistered, toasted the bride with expensive champagne, nibbled on crab puffs and ate two pieces of cake.
Later, when Monica walked out on Konrad, theyd trashed her bridesmaid dress and thrown out the pictures. But Devin hadnt had the heart to get rid of the pendant.
Her sisters veil hung next to the white silk dress. The shoes on a bottom shelf. And above the shoes
Devin crouched down. She stared intently before running her fingertips over the smooth white cover of their wedding photo album.
It had been a year since shed seen any of the wedding pictures. After only a moments hesitation, she slipped the album from the shelf and sat fully down on the thick carpet. With a deep breath, she opened the cover.
Monica was on the first page, standing alone in her wedding dress, silhouetted against the arched oak door of the stone church building. The dress was a masterpiece, several thousand seed pearls sewn into a strapless bodice with a sweetheart neckline and a full skirt, all accented with antique lace. Theyd ordered it from a famous designer in Italy. Monica had balked at the price, but Konrad had insisted.
A tear slipped from Devins eye as she turned the page. There, she saw Konrad, looking sharp in his tux. She struggled to work up some anger toward him, but all she could remember was how she and Monica laughed over a groom who owned not one, but half a dozen tuxedos. What kind of a man required half a dozen tuxes?
The next page showed Monica, Devin and the other bridesmaids-two of Monicas college roommates. They were laughing as they displayed their bouquets of irises and white roses. The photo had been taken moments before they moved from the anteroom to the foyer of the church. On the way down the narrow hallway, Monica had nearly caused a disaster, tripping on the hem of her elaborate dress and stumbling into Devin.
Fortunately, Devin caught Monica, the bouquets survived and the wedding guests hadnt heard their burst of laughter.
Devin swiped another tear from her cheek.
Next, she came to a picture of the wedding cake. It was a decadently rich, lemon-butter pound cake, six round tiers with white Belgian chocolate ganache. A pale gold luster adorned the icing, while a colorful waterfall of fresh flowers swirled diagonally down from a top bouquet. Devin got hungry just looking at it.
She flipped another page and came to Lucas.
What are you doing in here? his voice demanded.
Devin nearly dropped the album in shock. Her gaze flew to the closet entrance to see him looming over her, dressed in a business suit instead of a tux, frowning and furious instead of smiling for the camera.
Dont do that, she cried. You scared me half to death.
What are you doing in here? he repeated, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Guilt and alarm invaded her system. Iuh She swallowed over a sandpaper throat. What could she say? How could she possibly explain the fact that she was sitting on the floor of Konrads closet?
I got lost, she told him in a small voice, sticking to the only story shed crafted. Then she glanced at the album, holding it up as if it proved something. I happened to spot this, and thenwell, I started looking, and remembering. She made a show of swiping her cheek with the back of her hand, hoping for the sympathy vote she supposed, since her excuse was transparently lame.
Lucas took a couple of steps into the closet.
You got lost? he challenged, the skepticism all but dripping from his tone.
I, uh, took a wrong turn. She couldnt quite meet his eyes. Out there in the hall. This is a really big house.
She told herself to shut up.
His answering silence was unnerving.
After a long moment, he crouched down beside her. He cocked his head to peer at the picture on the open page.
You looked very handsome at the wedding, she offered, pointing to his image. Truth was, hed looked amazing that night and every other time shed seen him, including now.
Shed tried, but she hadnt come close to banishing her memories of last night in the pool house. Hed looked amazing then, too.
Are you trying to distract me? he asked.
Of course not, she lied.
He reached out and tucked her hair behind one ear, letting his hand rest there. Then youre saying you find me attractive?
Yeess, she offered slowly, beginning to worry where he thought this might be leading.
He ran the pad of his thumb from her cheekbone to the shell of her ear, and along her jawbone.
Her pulse jumped at the intimacy of the touch. But she forced herself to keep still, torn between trepidation and arousal, with only one tiny, sane part of her brain reminding her she had to put a stop to this.
She reached up and grasped his wrist, attempting to tug his hand away.
She failed.
A lazy smile grew on his face, and his breath puffed sweetly against her cheek, even as his thumb meandered to the curve of her neck. I cant help wondering. He paused. Just how far youd be willing to go to keep me distracted.
She swallowed again, her heart thudding deep in her tightening chest. Why Her voice was a rasp. Why would I need to keep you distracted?
He leaned closer. Because youre up to no good.
She bristled. I told you. I got lost. But the lie sounded even worse this time around.
And you accidentally wandered into Konrads closet?
Thats right. It could have happened.
Youre damn lucky I have a forgiving nature.
Ha, she managed to scoff.
He sat down on the carpet beside her and lifted the album from her hands. Ive already forgiven you.
I didnt do anything.
Then why is your neck going all red and splotchy?
Devins hand automatically rose to cover it up, and Lucas grinned at the telltale action.
Then he shook his head. I just hope I never need you to lie for me.
That seems unlikely, she sniffed.
Instead of pressing further, he turned a page of the album. You were very beautiful, he told her.
Devin turned her attention to a photo of her and Monica. We threw out our pictures, she admitted. Yeah?
She nodded. We chucked my bridesmaid dress, too.
She must have been pretty mad. He turned to a page that showed the bride and groom cutting the cake. Their smiles seemed so sincere.
Can you blame her? Devin asked.
She made a terrible mistake.
By marrying Konrad.
Lucas butted Devin with his shoulder. Yeah, thats what I meant.
Devin gave a shrug. You might have decided to finally be honest.
He shook his head in disbelief, folding the album shut and replacing it on the shelf.
Then, to her surprise, his hand slipped around to the back of her neck. His palm was warm, his gaze intent, and his voice sent a predictable quiver through the pit of her stomach. You have got to be the most exasperating woman on the planet.
She struggled to hold on to her equilibrium, keeping her tone tart. What? The women you know dont usually talk back?
His lips relaxed to a half smile, and he leaned meaningfully toward her. At this point, they usually stop talking altogether.
Is that how you like it?
It makes the kissing easier.
Dont you dare.
He grinned. Why not?
Because you promised.
I didnt promise a thing.
She ordered herself to stay strong. Have a little respect.
For what?
For this- she gestured around them, hushing her voice in reverence -for where we are.
Were in my brothers closet.
Exactly.
Youve never made love in a closet? He was moving closer.
Of course she hadnt. She put her palm flat against his chest to hold him off. Have you?
Not that I recall.
Youre joking, right? How could a person not recall something like that?
Its a pretty roomy closet, he pointed out, ignoring her question and making a show of testing the softness of the carpet.
The truce is over, she reminded him, eyeing the closet door. She was sure she could make an escape. And she was positive it was the right thing to do.
Im willing to renegotiate, he told her.
Lucas, be serious.
What makes you think Im joking?
Im saying no.
He clamped his jaw. But he let his hand fall away. And he rose to his feet, holding out a hand. Then, lets go.
She was glad hed back off. She really was.
She stuck her hand in his and let him pull her to her feet. He kept hold of it, tugging her out of the closet and across Konrads bedroom, through the open door to the hallway.
Just so you know, he warned her as he pulled it shut behind them, this room will have a lock on it from now on.
Eight
Devin couldnt pick locks, so Konrads room was out of the question. But, she figured there were two people involved in this conspiracy. And if Lucas felt it necessary to lock Konrads door, that meant there was something for Devin to find. If there was something to find in Konrads room, there might also be something to find in Lucass room the next day. So, the next day she set another plan in motion.