When the meter hit ten dollars, Devin grabbed the nozzle, shaking the excess gas off before putting it back in its holster. "I was," he admitted. "But I never read the review. If it was negative, I'd get defensive, and if it was positive, I'd sweat it out with my next book."

He smiled, almost sadly, wiping his hands on a disposable towel. "Some people are never satisfied."

Scratching at the stubble on his neck, he seemed to deliberate on something. Finally, he said, "I don't mean to harp on you about it, and it's probably none of my business. But you shouldn't be so quick to judge people.

"They can and will surprise you, sometimes in the best way, but only if you let them."