Page 3 of Moments in Ink

“You keep saying that,” Marcus began. “And one day, you’re going to end up married to both of us, and you won’t know what to do.”

“That is true. I am a bit much for anybody.” I was only teasing, but the others were silent enough that I was afraid I had said something wrong. “You are perfect in every way. Well, practically perfect in every way if we’re going for the pure Mary Poppins spirit,” Bristol said with a laugh.

“I’m nowhere near perfect,” I said.

“None of us are,” Marcus began, his tone serious. “But that’s what makes us human. Now, are you warm enough?”

“I guess,” I said, my teeth chattering. “But you’re on your way, right?”

“We’re maybe thirty seconds away. Make sure you’re safe. We’re coming for you.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, closing my eyes as tears stung the backs of them.

“Always,” Bristol whispered.

I let out a shuddering breath, the sound of their car pulling into my driveway the sweetest music to my ears. I was trying to figure out how to be the Zia I needed to be after breaking part of myself with my poor decisions. And now, here I was, meeting my new neighbor in ways that I shouldn’t, and even having sexy images of that person in my mind. I shouldn’t have even let myself check her out. I didn’t know if Meredith liked women. And I didn’t need to be with anyone else. I just needed to remember who I was.

I was Zia Clarkson, a girly girl who was finally home. As Bristol opened the door with a smile on her face, I wrapped my arms around her and sank into her hold. Marcus was there too, wrapping his arms around us both, and I inhaled their scents, feeling like I was home.

I might not have found my happily ever after with Bristol, but I had found a friendship that I would do my best to never walk away from again. Because I still didn’t know exactly who Zia Clarkson was, even if I did my best to put as many labels on myself as I could. Now, I needed to figure out the next step, and remember that I was here to heal, to breathe, and not stand outside in my underwear making stupid decisions, one right after the other.

Again.

Chapter 2

Meredith

“I’m never sleeping with you, Aaron Montgomery.”

The man with the strong jaw, panty-dropping smile, and blue eyes winked at me. “Really.” He paused. “You mean you’re never sleeping with me.Again.”

I rolled my eyes and took a sip of my dirty martini. “Again,” I corrected. “I’m never sleeping with you again.”

“Well, as long as we know what we’re in for, we can make this relationship work.”

“There is no relationship. Only drinking and sarcasm. And our book club.”

“Is it truly a book club if it’s only the two of us? At this point, it’s just us talking about what we love about books.”

“It’s a book club because you know I don’t like people. Therefore, I don’t want to have to deal with others in said book club.”

“Whatever you say, Meredith Legend.”

“What’s with us using both of our given names? It’s a little weird.”

“You did it first,” Aaron said. “I needed to change my speech patterns and match you since, you know, we’re in the club and everything.”

“Now it sounds like we’re in a cult.”

“Please do not talk to me about cults.”

“Uh, yeah, the whole family thing?” I said with a laugh, taking another sip of my drink. He’d already told me the family cult joke that I found hilarious, but not everyone would get it if they didn’t know the Montgomerys.

“Stop it. I already have to deal enough with cults. Let’s not get into it again.”

“Okay. I believe you. And anyway, we’re not here only to talk romance books. However, the new Lisa Kleypas release? My God,” I said, and Aaron leaned forward, his eyes bright.

“I know. I was shocked about who she picked as the hero, but it was perfect by the time you reached the end.”

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