Page 1 of Inked Craving

Prologue

Paige

Tonight was the night.

After over a year of dating, tonight was the night Colton and I would finally take the next step. He’d called me this morning and asked me to meet him at one of our favorite spots. He’d sounded so nervous and told me that he was excited over something. Colton had sent over flowers the day before with a note saying, ‘just because’ and I couldn’t stop smiling.

Tonight, Colton would get down on one knee and propose to me. And I would say yes.

I loved him with every ounce of my soul and could not wait until we started our life together.

I bit my lip as I looked into the mirror, pinning my hair back from my face. I loved Colton. He made me smile, made me laugh, and I knew I’d spend the rest of my life with him. He was my everything, and I could not wait to say yes.

I wore a light peach wrap-dress, one that I loved and made me happy to wear. I felt pretty and like a princess. Instead of a crown, I had a planner and a tablet, but it worked for me. Just in case tonightwasn’tthe night, I still looked and felt pretty. I was a realist with my head in the clouds for only moments, not the entire day, after all.

With one last look in the mirror, I made my way to my car, singing and dancing in my seat as I drove toward the park. The night was beautiful, with not a cloud in sight. The moon was full, and the sky was bright.

Romance filled the air, and if I were any more jovial and lighthearted, I’d be filled with cotton candy and annoy the hell out of my family.

I smirked as I parked, shaking my head. I was the giddy one of the group, just like Archer, but I probably hit the annoyance factor more. I didn’t mind since a grumpy Montgomery was a normal Montgomery. I’d be the weird one.

Hopefully, later tonight, I’d be theengagedweird one.

I picked up my bag and did my best not to skip to our meeting spot on the patio outside of Colton’s restaurant in the park. We’d met at this spot, and I’d fallen for him at that exact moment.

Montgomerys didn’t always fall at first sight, but when they did, it lasted.

I gripped my hands tightly in front of me as Colton came forward, his blond hair messy and pushed back from his face. The ends reached his collar, and while I knew he wanted a haircut, I liked the surfer look on him. He was gorgeous, tan, intelligent, caring, andmine.

“Paige.”

His voice was smooth whiskey that slid over me, and I couldn’t help but smile wide. I loved this man so much, and it almost hurt sometimes because it was too much. I’d never fallen like this before, and I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to make clear and coherent thoughts when he was around.

“Colton.” I went up to my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. He was taller than me, so he always had to lean down for me to kiss him. I didn’t mind. He always made sure I could have his lips, his taste—his everything.

“I’m glad you could make it. I have a busy shift tonight but wanted to talk with you about something important and time-sensitive.”

I blinked, wondering if this was a different way to begin a proposal. I’d never been proposed to, however, so I wasn’t sure.

“I’m here. Thank you so much for inviting me out tonight. I love this spot. It’s the first place I met you.” My heart raced, and I told myself to calm down.

He blinked, distracted. “That’s right. I forgot. I like it because it’s so close to the restaurant, so I don’t have to take much time away. You know?”

Not really, but maybe I was making too much of his words.

“I’m glad it’s close, then.”

He smiled. “I have great news, Paige. Do you know Massimo? The chef out in New York that’s opening a new place?”

I tilted my head, dread pooling in my belly as my dreams of the evening began to shatter like fine glass all around me. “I remember him.”

He’d been a jerk and an egotistical asshole when he’d visited and had treated Colton like something under his shoe, but I didn’t mention that part.

“Good! Because he offered me a position. Head fucking chef. He needs someone to do it all. As apartner. It won’t just be his place, butours. I’ll get to work with one of the best, Paige. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid to own a restaurant in New York and be in thescene, and now I finally get my chance. I’m so fucking excited, babe.”

I swallowed hard, the ringing in my head growing louder as I tried to keep up. “New York? As in… not in Colorado? What… what are you talking about, Colton?”

He seemed to realize he might have said the wrong thing because he winced before reaching out to cup my face. I took a step back, not sure I wanted him to touch me at that moment. I wasn’t sure what I’d say to him if he did.

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