Page 12 of Inked Devotion

“We’re just friends, Mom.”

“Oh, shush, you wouldn’t be taking a friend to a family reunion across state lines if you were just friends. But don’t worry. You don’t have to tell me if it’s something serious. You just take your time with that. I’m just so happy for you, Brenna. I love you so much, and I can’t wait to meet him. Of course, I met Beckett, but he has to be different than Benjamin. Are they identical?”

“I’ve got to go, Mom. We’re loading the car now.”

“We. Because you’re awe. Oh, I love it. I love you.”

I groaned as the line went dead, and I leaned my forehead against the car. “I fucked up.”

Benjamin chuckled beside me. “Let me guess. Your mom went my mom’s route with being overbearing when it comes to being single.”

I opened an eye and glared. “At least for a guy, it’s not as bad, right?”

“As I haven’t seen your mom in action, I can’t tell you that. I don’t think it crosses gender lines, as much as it depends on the person hemming you in.”

“My mom was about to bring the neighbor boy over for me to have a date for a family reunion when I accidentally on purpose said that you were coming with me. As my friend, but you heard my mother, there may be an officiant for a wedding.” I put my hands over my face and screamed, and Benjamin reached out and gripped my shoulder. I startled, looking up at him. “I’m an idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot. You have a mom who thinks she knows what’s best for you, and I understand that. I’ll play your fake boyfriend if that’s what you want, though I don’t think I’m going to be very good at it.”

I shook my head even though my heart swelled at the thought. “I don’t need you to play my fake boyfriend. You do need to go, even though we said you might not have to, you’re going to have to.”

“Okay. I don’t mind. I think I’ve met your mother, haven’t I?”

“Maybe? She seemingly remembers Beckett, but I don’t remember her meeting Beckett at all.”

Benjamin snorted. “No, that was me. I stopped by your bakery to pick up something for Mom, and your mom was there.”

“Oh yes, that was you. And she mixed you up. And I might have done that too. That’s weird. I never do that.”

“It’s fine. You’re not the first, though I guess that is the first time you ever have. I’ll go. We’ll be friends. We’ll make sure that your mom doesn’t have any secret dates for you, and then we’ll come back.”

“You know, you’re amazing.”

“You’re the one that’s letting me tag along on your road trip out of the blue. I think you’re the amazing one.”

“Then we both can be amazing and neurotic together.”

“I didn’t add the neurotic, but I don’t mind.”

I shook my head and gestured towards the SUV. “Now that you have packed your meager allowances, we should go.”

“We’re only going for a little over a week.”

“A week means how many outfits?”

“I have enough. Don’t worry.”

“Well, I sure hope you do. Though, of course, I guess we could go shopping if you need it.”

He shuddered as he went to the passenger seat. “Don’t say shopping.”

“Stereotypical much?”

“The last time I went shopping, Beckett was the one that made me try on a thousand different things even though we’re the same freaking size.”

I eyed him as I sat in the front seat. “I think you’re a little bigger.” And then I blushed as Benjamin threw his head back and laughed. “Oh God, I’m so sad that Beckett wasn’t here to hear that.”

“Please don’t. Never say that again. Don’t ever tell him I said that.”

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