Inked Obsession (Montgomery Ink Fort Collins #2) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,40

be seeing things. Because Beckett Montgomery could not be thinking of me that way.

No fucking way.

“You know what?” I asked after a moment.

“What?” he asked, his voice low and gruff.

“I am going to go eat some lunch and have a really big drink.”

He swallowed. “That sounds wonderful. Can I join you?”

I rolled my eyes, even though I wasn’t sure he could see through my sunglasses. “That was me inviting you in a very awkward way.”

“Good, we can be awkward together on our solo vacations that are somehow at the same place.”

“How the hell do Lee and Eli have the same friend, who just happens to own a five-star resort on the most beautiful, white sand beach ever?”

“I don’t question how my friends know people. Your brother, however, that’s interesting.”

“You don’t even know my brothers,” I said, shaking my head as we made our way back towards the resort. I noticed the man who had asked me out sitting on his beach chair. He nodded at me, smiling softly.

This wasn’t awkward, but it somehow felt like a new beginning. Of being me. Nothing crazy, just figuring out what path I should take and what plans I needed to make. Because I wouldn’t wallow in despair any longer. I needed to be the new me. Whoever that was.

“We’re going to have to sit outside since I’m wet and in my swimsuit.”

Beckett’s gaze raked over me again, and I swallowed hard. “Yes, you are.”

I snorted. “Okay, here. I think we can just ask for a table here,” I said.

“Hello. Montgomerys for two?”

I froze as Beckett cleared his throat. “That’ll be fine,” I said.

We made our way towards a table near the edge of the covered outdoor patio. The view was beautiful.

“Did he just say Montgomerys, as in plural? How does he even know you?”

Beckett looked over the menu and shrugged. “I talked with the guy earlier when I was getting morning coffee. I guess he thought you were with me. I don’t think he was expecting me to pick up some random stranger or meet a friend from back home.”

“Well, I’ve always been an honorary Montgomery, might as well add the weirdness to it here.”

He laughed. “I guess so. You and Brenna, even Lee, you’re all honorary Montgomerys.”

I tilted my head. “Are you and Brenna doing okay?” I asked out of the blue, surprising myself. The thought had been on my mind for a while now.

He flinched, and I knew I’d probably said the wrong thing. Here I was, trying to forget my problems, or at least get through them, and I was walking right into Beckett’s.

“Brenna and I aren’t, well, you know, we’re just friends, right?”

I nodded. “I used to think that you guys might want more, but Brenna quickly made sure I understood the non-truth in that.”

He cringed, and I wanted to reach out and pet his arm, telling him that everything would be okay. I figured that would make things even more awkward. “I should tell you too, since now everybody at home knows.”

I stiffened. “What do they know? What’s wrong?”

He gave me a look and shook his head. “Hold on, let’s order a drink.”

The waiter came, and we ordered a sushi appetizer and Bellinis while we looked over the rest of the menu.

“Talk to me.”

“Shit,” he muttered before explaining about the shooting and him keeping secrets.

My heart ached, and I reached out and grabbed his hand. “Beckett,” I whispered.

“Yes,” he said and looked down at our clasped hands before squeezing mine, but he didn’t let go. I swallowed hard before I let go. He shook his head and then took a drink. I hadn’t even realized the waiter had dropped them off.

“You’re okay?” I swallowed hard, trying not to panic. He was right in front of me. He had to be okay. Right? Or maybe he was on this trip because he wasn’t. I suddenly couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t lose anybody else.

“I am. I hurt my back slightly, but apparently, that’s it. Just an aching back when it gets cold, and the fact that I can’t sleep at night.” He paused. “I didn’t really mean to say that part out loud.”

Relief spread through me, and I had to wonder why it was so strong for a man I shouldn’t think about as much as I did. “You know, last night was the first night that I’ve slept a full eight hours. I got a new bed once I moved into Jacob and Annabelle’s rental. I didn’t want to sleep