Inked Obsession (Montgomery Ink Fort Collins #2) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,17

all finding their paths in their new city. Originally, they had been in Denver, down with my cousin Storm, who happened to be an architect like Annabelle. Storm had a complicated history with the family, as well. We were all friends and pretty damn close, so when a position opened up, and Storm had said that Clay needed a new job, I’d offered the position to him. And it was working out well.

I just wished that Clay got more sleep than I did. “By the way, a couple of nights ago, Riggs asked about you.”

I winked as I said it, and Clay rolled his eyes. “That’s not happening until the kids are at least in college. Of course, they’ll need to actually afford it first.”

“I thought there were college funds for that,” I said, treading carefully.

Clay shrugged. “There are. Who knows what the actual cost of college will be by the time the kids get there? It’s fine, we’re doing well. We have a nice home, thanks to the ones that you built,” he added, and I laughed. “They have food in their bellies, they have afterschool care, and we’re doing okay. It was just a long night, and I haven’t been sleeping well. Of course, from the bags under your eyes, it looks like you didn’t sleep well either.”

I shrugged. “Long night, I guess.”

“You want to talk about it?”

I froze and looked up at him. “What do you mean?” I asked carefully.

“You don’t have to tell me, but I know that you’ve had a rough go of it the past couple of months. And since I know Benjamin has been pestering you about what’s going on, as well—and Brenna now that I think about it—it seems you aren’t telling anyone.” He paused. “Maybe Lee. Though he seems to be keeping secrets, too.”

“It’s amazing how you become one of us once you started working with our family,” I said dryly.

Clay shrugged. “I care. I can’t help it. And this can be the last that we talk about personal shit for the day if you’d like.”

I shook my head. “I’m fine. Really. Just had a rough night, but I’m ready to go.”

“Drink your coffee, and then we can refrain from discussing our personal lives for the rest of the day. At least, between the two of us. However, you do work with your entire family, so who knows how long that’s going to last.”

I sighed. “You’re right. Thank you for that.”

As if on cue, the rest of my family arrived.

Annabelle walked in, decaf tea in her hand. I knew it was decaf because she was scowling at it, and she still had the teabag inside. Paige was right behind her, her planner, tablet, and a few notebooks in her hands. She was humming, and I had a feeling she had just gotten off the phone with Colton. She was always a little happier after she talked with her boyfriend.

Archer and Benjamin followed, Archer scowling at his phone, and Benjamin looking down at his notebook. They were both working given what I could tell from the expressions on their faces. Hopefully, this family meeting would go quickly.

“Okay, today’s your turn to host the meeting,” Annabelle said as she took a seat on the couch I had in the corner. I met with clients in here, as well as in the meeting room. Our family liked to go from office to office for our internal meetings; that way, nothing became stale. I also thought we just liked invading each other’s spaces once in a while since we were siblings and that’s what we did.

“Scooch over,” Paige said and sat down on the other end of the couch before leaning down and pulling Annabelle’s feet on top of her lap.

“You’re wearing a cute little skirt. You don’t want my shoes on you.”

“I’m helping your ankles now. The better we keep your circulation, the easier it’ll be when you’re in your final trimester.”

“I’m not rubbing her feet,” Archer said with a dry laugh as he took a seat next to Benjamin and Clay on the other side of my desk.

“Dear God, don’t make me do it,” Benjamin said dryly, and I snorted as Annabelle scowled at all of us.

“My feet are clean. It was my shoes that I didn’t want to put on her lap. Now that I know you’re all against it, I will be sure to force you to rub my feet. How dare you talk about my feet in a way that