Inked Persuasion (Montgomery Ink Fort Collins #1) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,64
night out with the Montgomerys and their crew.
“Sorry, they have their own girls’ night thing tonight,” Marc said as he came up to Archer’s side and slid his arm around his boyfriend’s waist. Archer leaned into the other man as Marc kissed the top of Archer’s head.
They looked happy, and I was glad. I didn’t know Archer that well, mostly because I was doing my best to keep from getting to know the Montgomerys beyond what I already did, but since he was Annabelle’s twin, I wanted him happy.
I didn’t know what that said about me. Therefore, I wasn’t going to focus too hard on it. I was allowed to want somebody to be happy without wanting anything more.
“Okay, they’re all already here, that’s good.”
“Considering we met in the parking lot and you practically dragged me in here, are you sure they didn’t all get here early so they could gang up on me?” I asked, not sure if I was joking or not.
Archer didn’t answer, and that probably should have worried me.
“Over here, Archer,” one of the twins called, and I narrowed my eyes as I studied them. It was Beckett. Although the two were identical, Benjamin was broodier, Beckett a bit angrier—at least that’s what I could remember from back in the day. And now, for that matter.
“Okay, buck up, it won’t be that bad,” Archer said. I wasn’t quite sure I believed him.
We made our way over to the corner, and I realized it wasn’t only the Montgomerys at the table. A couple of other people I didn’t recognize were there, but they seemed comfortable enough with the people that I did know. I figured they must either be cousins or friends. Annabelle kept joking about her family and the massive size of it. I wasn’t sure which one this could be.
Beckett sat in the corner, Benjamin on his other side, and he tilted his head at me.
“Hey, you came,” he said to me, and I nodded. “I did. As long as you guys don’t take me out back and make sure I never see the light of day, I’m here.”
“We won’t hurt you,” Archer said as he put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. Though he squeezed a little too hard, and I narrowed my eyes at him. He grinned innocently. I went to take a seat on the other end of the table and Archer took the spot near Marc.
“Jacob, this is Clay. He works with us down at the office,” Beckett said, and the others nodded, waving at the man who seemed to be about my age. He looked exhausted. He had a kind smile and didn’t throw anything at me for daring to date one of the Montgomery girls, so I counted that as a win.
Beckett continued, gesturing to the other man at the table. “And this is my friend, Lee. We rarely get him to come out these days since he works too hard. But here he is, in the flesh.”
A man with dark hair, light eyes, and a grin that seemed to say he knew more than he was saying waved. “Hi, I’m Beckett’s friend. Although most days, I try not to claim him.”
Beckett just rolled his eyes and took a sip of his beer.
“Okay, I guess it is a guys’ night and not a murder-me night.” I took a seat on the other side of Lee, and the man just shook his head.
“I don’t know. The night’s still early. I hear you’re dating my Annabelley.”
I frowned at the nickname, ignoring his use of the possessive. “She lets you call her Annabelley?” I asked, scoffing.
Lee winced, and the Montgomery brothers laughed as Clay looked between them. “Not in the slightest,” Lee said. “But you should try it. See how far you get.”
Marc looked down at his phone and cursed. “I need to take this. I’ll be right back.” He kissed Archer quickly and made his way out to the front of the bar as Archer watched him go, longing in his gaze.
“I do believe our little brother is smitten,” Beckett said, and Benjamin snorted.
“Smitten?” Benjamin asked.
Beckett shrugged. “What, it’s a good word. Smitten, like a kitten.”
Archer just flipped them off. “Wait, I thought we were here to demand answers from Jacob, not me,” Archer said.
My eyes widened. “Hey, just toss me under the bus a little harder, why don’t you?”
“I thought that’s what our plans were later,” Lee teased, taking a sip of his beer.