Page 37 of Inked Devotion

“It was ridiculous. It was on the city too, but we were there to help fix it. It’s not going to put us back on time because Clay was thankfully able to get down in the mud and help me, but it was a fucking nightmare.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”

Beckett shook his head. “If you would have been in town, the other projects that you would have been on were on the other side of the city. Fort Collins might not be that big compared to Denver, but it still wouldn’t have made sense for you to drive all the way out to the site that we were at. So you didn’t miss anything.”

“That’s something, I guess.” I sighed. “How are the twins?” I asked Annabelle as she set her feet up on a chair next to her.

“Being cute. At least that’s what I’m saying. I’m currently feeling good today, so I’m going to say I’m happy.”

“They better be happy, the way that I’m taking care of their mom,” Archer mumbled as he began to rub Annabelle’s ankles.

I raised my brow at my little brother, who just shrugged. “My twin is hurting, so I’m hurting.”

“Our twin pain doesn’t work that way,” Beckett laughed.

“See? Twin pain is the one reason I am glad I wasn’t a twin,” Paige put in. “Still, I was pretty jealous of the whole twin thing. Now Annabelle’s having some of her own.”

There was a longing sigh in her voice that all of us ignored. These days, that longing had nothing to do with wanting to be a twin but more about a certain person that hadn’t yet popped the question. I met Beckett’s gaze, and then Archer’s, and the three of us nodded. Annabelle rolled her eyes, but I knew she understood. We would have to see what Colton’s intentions were soon if he wasn’t careful. Yes, Paige would kill us, and no, it wasn’t any of our business, but sue us. She was our baby sister. We would do whatever we had to in order to protect her.

We got settled and went to work, going over the plans for the next two weeks and future client meetings. My job was usually at the end because, nine times out of ten, the original plans would change so dramatically that usually the most challenging work of mine would be right when my family was nearly done with their parts. I didn’t mind. I got to get my hands dirty and work with what I loved.

Clay got a phone call right at the end, and I took that as a good sign. I let out a breath and looked at everyone.

“If we have a minute, can I talk about something that’s not on the agenda?”

Everyone stilled and looked over at me. “Are you okay?” Paige asked, biting her bottom lip.

I reached out and hugged her close, kissing her on the top of her head. We may be at work, but right then, it was a family meeting.

“I’m okay. I promise. However, I figured I’d tell you why I needed to go on that trip.”

“Not just to be with Brenna?” Annabelle asked, her eyes bright. Beckett snorted, and Archer just shook his head. “What?” she asked.

I did my best to ignore all of them because if I wasn’t careful, they would be able to read the emotions on my face, and that wasn’t the subject I was going to get into right then. Or ever, for that matter.

“Why did you go?” Archer asked after a moment.

I looked between them and nodded, knowing I just needed to get it out there. “I needed time to make a decision and some space. I love you guys, but I needed to make this choice for myself.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Annabelle asked as she rubbed her stomach.

I nodded quickly. “Yes. Which is good because I need to be healthy for this.” I winced as they all gave me weird looks.

“Laura and Michelle came to me, and we had a discussion.”

“Are you joining their relationship?” Archer asked, clapping his hands. “Because that would be hot. We do have menages in the family.”

I snorted, shaking my head. “Laura and Michelle decided to have a baby. I’m not joining their relationship.”

Annabelle put her hands to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears, as Paige came over to me and hugged me tightly. “You’re going to be the father, aren’t you?” she said, as she bounced on her toes and began to dance around the room.

I rolled my eyes and brought Paige close again. “I’m going to be the donor. Not the father. More of an uncle, with the way that they’re saying. I’m going to donate my sperm, and there will be some Montgomery DNA out there that is not going to be a Montgomery. I hope everyone’s okay with that because it’s going to happen.”

“That’s amazing,” Archer said as he moved around the table to hug me tight. “That is so generous. I always knew you were the best of us, but it’s a little ridiculous.”

“Thanks,” I said dryly.

“This is so exciting. I am glad that you decided without us because we probably would have made pros and cons lists,” Paige added, and that made me laugh.

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