Page 2 of Inked Devotion

Archer beamed before he followed them. Mrs. Montgomery just smiled softly as Archer’s boyfriend scowled a bit and went back to his phone.

“Work?” I asked, and Marc looked taken aback for a moment that I would talk to him. Then again, I didn’t speak to him often. We weren’t left alone too often. Or semi-alone, since Benjamin was still walking towards us.

He lifted his chin, a strained smile on his face. “Yes, work issues. I may have to head out early, but I don’t want Archer to lose this time with his family.”

“That’s sweet, and I’m sorry that you’re having work issues.”

“Comes with the job. It’s fine, I’ll get it taken care of, and I’ll make sure that Archer gets something to eat before we have to go.”

I frowned as he walked away, putting his phone to his ear, and Benjamin sighed. “What?” I asked.

“I don’t think I like him. I don’t know why I don’t like him. That makes me feel like an asshole.”

I held back a wince. “I don’t like him either. I don’t know if it’s just because he’s bad with people or an asshole. Maybe we’re the assholes.”

Benjamin looked at me and winked, looking so much like Beckett I was nearly taken aback. “I think we are the assholes, Brenna. Sorry.”

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “You ready to eat?”

“Maybe. If Beckett ever finishes with the grill,” I mumbled.

Benjamin snorted. “You’ll notice that none of us are over there helping. He’s in his caveman phase to show his woman he knows how to deal with fire.”

“That’s what I was thinking,” I said with a laugh.

He gave me a look as if he were steeling himself. “You okay with that?”

I held back a groan, knowing I’d have to explain everything again. “Okay with what?”

“You know, Eliza and Beckett.”

“The fact that my best friend is happy and in love? What’s there not to be okay about?” He opened his mouth to say something, and I held up my hand. “I’m not in love with Beckett. I never was. Eventually, I will get it skywritten by a plane, or maybe just a large banner. Or maybe a tattoo on my forehead so the rest of all of you will understand.”

Benjamin just blinked before he slid his hands through his hair. “Sorry. This seems to be a touchy subject.”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course, it’s a touchy subject. You would feel it was touchy if everyone thought you were in love with somebody even when you weren’t. He was my best friend.”

“Was?”

I could have kicked myself at the slip. “He still is. Now my best friend circles include Annabelle, Paige, Lee, and even you.”

“Even me,” he muttered. “So glad that I’m tacked on there.”

“You know what I mean. I just, I suck at this whole thing. I really should just stick to baking cakes and not dealing with words.”

“Words are hard.”

“Are you making fun of me?” I asked him, scowling.

“Brenna Garrett, I would never once make fun of you.”

I sighed. “I still think you’re making fun of me.”

“I’m not. Honestly, I thought you did. I thought you loved him. Or I thought it was a crush, or it was something. I’m sorry.”

I shrugged. “Don’t be. There’s nothing really to say about that. You weren’t the only one. I had the stars in my eyes while looking at him, and maybe it was just because I liked having someone I could talk to about everything.”

“You can talk to me,” he said, almost absently.

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