squealed and rushed forward to hug Jolie. “I knew it. I knew it.”
“How did you know?” Ash asked, his gaze on Devin, not Natalie. “None of us knew until now, unless you had some inside information.”
“Oh, Ash, relax.” Natalie hugged Jolie and turned back to face her detective brother. “I could tell by the look on Jolie’s face.”
“What, the look of stunned disbelief?” Jolie pressed a hand to her burning cheeks. “I can barely believe it’s true.”
Natalie hugged her again. “I get another sister. I won’t be outnumbered by men anymore.”
Ash frowned at Devin. “That’s the way you’re going to play this?”
Devin met his frown with a clear and steady gaze. “We’re not playing. Jolie and I are getting married.”
“When?” Ash shot back at him.
Fighting to keep irritation from rising into his voice, Devin answered, “We haven’t set a date.”
“Ash.” Natalie glared at her brother.
Ash refused to be quieted. “I want the truth.”
Jolie’s arm slipped around Devin’s waist and she smiled up at him. “Devin just asked me to marry him. I haven’t thought that far ahead. I’ve been pinching myself, thinking I’m still sleeping.”
“I just don’t want you two walking into something you’ll both regret because of a picture in the newspaper.”
“We should give the couple a little space.” Uncle Craig winked, saving Devin from a response. “They have some … er … celebrating to do. Aunt Angela and I will help you with the wedding preparations. We can shop for two since Rachel and Ash will be getting married soon, too.”
“Why don’t you two get started?” Devin said.
Jolie chimed in, “Just because we’re engaged doesn’t mean I’m commitment free. I have a job to do and a very demanding boss.”
Ash smiled for the first time since Devin’s announcement. “I think you’ve met your match there, brother. How are you going to live without her managing your office?”
Devin frowned. “I hadn’t thought about that.”
“Because he’s not going to live without me managing his office. At least not until I find a suitable replacement.” Her arm dropped from around his waist and Jolie stepped back. “Now I have work to do.”
Devin grabbed her hand to keep her from going too far. “You’re officially off the clock at three this afternoon.”
“I have too much to do to take off that early.”
“You need time to find a new dress. Natalie will help you.” He fished in his pocket for his wallet and withdrew a credit card. “You can use this.”
Jolie’s hands shot up. “No, really, I don’t need a new dress.”
“You do for tonight. It’s a special occasion. We’ll be attending the gala for the St. Louis Children’s Hospital.”
“I can wear the dress I wore to the company Christmas party,” she insisted.
“No.” Devin loved the mutinous expression on her face and wanted to kiss it off. But with his uncle, brother and sister watching, he held back, holding to the firm older brother and CEO persona. “You will buy a new dress.” Devin pressed the credit card into her hand and curled her fingers around it. “And while you’re at it, some new shoes. We’re announcing our engagement to the city at the gala.”
Jolie opened her mouth to protest, then shut it.
Devin almost laughed out loud. “What is it you always say?”
Jolie sighed. “Stop finding reasons not to and start finding reasons to.” She scowled for a moment, then a smile curved her lips, making the entire office light up. “You’re absolutely right. I think I’ll take the rest of the day off. Finding the right dress could prove challenging.” She turned to Natalie. “Can you spare the afternoon?”
“I don’t know. Devin has my proposal for the advertising campaign. I believe Jolie delivered it last night. Or had you forgotten?” Natalie cocked an eyebrow at her brother. “Until you review it, I’m at loose ends. If you need me, I’ll be out with your fiancée.” She flung her hair over her shoulder, hooked her elbow through Jolie’s and tugged her toward the door. “Come on, sister. We have some power shopping to do.”
Devin’s gaze followed them through the door, the scent of Jolie’s perfume lingering in the air, reminding him of the hours they’d spent in his bed. Hell, his sheets still smelled of Jolie.
“If you two will excuse me, I have to prepare for the gala, as well. We’re making a sizable donation to the hospital and I need to make sure Accounting has written the check.” Uncle Craig stuck his hand out. “Congratulations, son.”
Devin took his uncle’s hand and was pulled into a bear hug.
Guilt gnawed at his insides. How could he lie to the people he loved about a matter like an engagement? But for their own protection, it had to be that way. “Thanks, Uncle.”
As soon as the door closed behind his uncle, Devin braced himself for his brother’s inquisition.
“Why?” Ash started.
Devin turned away from his brother and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the St. Louis skyline. The arch gleamed white in the morning sun, like a beacon of hope under the weight of the resurgence of the case of the Christmas Eve Murders. “I would think it obvious. We’re in love.”
Devin marveled at how easily the lie rolled off his lips. Not that he couldn’t fall in love with Jolie. After last night, he truly believed he could. Why he hadn’t seen it earlier was a mystery to him. Still, his responsibility to his family came first. His own desires had always gone on the back burner.
“As much as we all love and appreciate everything Jolie has done for you, I feel that the media is pushing you into this farce of an engagement.”
Devin looked back over his shoulder. “Ash, have you ever known anyone to push me into doing something I didn’t want to?”
Ash sighed. “No.”
“Then leave it at that. Jolie and I are getting married. We make the news public tonight.”
Ash dug his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “At the very least, your engagement will lay the wagging tongues to rest.”
Devin nodded. “Any new forensic evidence surface?”
Ash shook his head. “You’re changing the subject.”
“No, the previous conversation was over.”
Ash’s lips twisted and then turned up in a smile. “Rachel and I have gone over and over the evidence remaining from twenty years
