Page 71 of Inked Devotion

I shook my head. “I’m fine. I need to think.”

“You can think and talk.”

“We are in the middle of the bar while most of the family is on the dance floor, and I don’t think that me talking about my problems or lack thereof right now is the best thing.”

“Know I’m always here for you like I know you will always be here for me.” Something in his tone worried me, but when his face closed off, I realized that maybe I wasn’t the only one lost in my feelings and thoughts. I wanted to say something, ask what was wrong, but I couldn’t. There was something in his face that told me he wasn’t ready to talk about it. Well, I wasn’t prepared either. So we made for a pair.

I opened my mouth to say something, but then Benjamin finally walked in. I wasn’t going to lie and say I hadn’t been looking for him this whole time, because I had. He had been running late with an issue at work, which seemed to be coming up more often than not recently. He was on a tough job that was taking almost all of his time, and while I understood that, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was grateful for the reprieve from my awkwardness. Once again, I was centering all of our decisions on myself, and I needed to stop doing that.

“And I see I’m no longer needed in this conversation,” Archer teased. I looked over at him.

“What?” I ask, blinking back to the now.

“Oh, nothing. Don’t worry about it. However, your man is here. You should talk to him, tell him how you feel.”

I looked at him and then at our crowd of people that did not include his fiancé.

“You want to talk about feelings?” I asked pointedly.

He rolled his eyes. “Marc is out of for business, something you well know. That’s why he’s not here. He always comes to Montgomery events at Riggs’, while I go with him to his business meetings at high-end bars that serve martinis that are more expensive than my first car.”

That made me smirk. “You guys are making it work, though.”

He smiled, his eyes full of love. “We are. We come from different walks of life, and we don’t always agree on everything, but we shouldn’t have to. We’re allowed to have our own opinions and wants and needs. We compromise with each other, and speaking to one another is what makes a relationship work.”

“When did you get so wise, Archer Montgomery?”

“I’ve always been wise. You have just been too lost in your thoughts to see it.”

“Maybe.”

“You don’t have to make all of your decisions right away. If you aren’t ready for something serious beyond having a baby, which—hello—is very serious, make sure he knows that. If you’re just scared, and that’s why you’re walking away or pushing him away? Then make sure you realize that’s what it is.”

“I didn’t tell you a single thing, Archer. Did Benjamin talk to you?” I asked, my heart racing. How could Archer know me so well?

From the look on his face, I knew I had just stepped in it. He had been guessing, fishing, and I had spilled the beans.

“He didn’t have to, nor did you.”

“It’s not like that.”

“It’s not like anything. Take your time, breathe. And know that you do not need to fall into anyone’s timelines but yours, as long as you remember that Benjamin might have his ideas.”

Archer kissed me softly on the cheek, and then practically pushed me towards Benjamin.

As soon as I saw Benjamin, though, all thoughts of being rational slid out of my mind. I couldn’t think when he was around. And that was a problem. I was the rational one. Not prone to emotional decisions. But every time I was near him, I threw myself into those bad decisions. I didn’t want to be this person, but how long could I blame the hormones for this mess?

“Hey,” he said as he stepped near me.

I swallowed hard.

“Hi.”

“I’m glad you’re here. I was afraid you weren’t going to come.”

He was so quiet. I was so scared. What if I’d let myself fall like he was saying, and it wasn’t it? This was a unique situation, and I wasn’t sure what we were supposed to do. Why was I making so many mistakes?

“Are you going to talk to me?” Benjamin asked, and I shook my head.

---