Page 15 of Inked Craving

“And I’ve knownyouforever. What does that have to do with this?”

“Because I get it. But in case you haven’t noticed, I’m the only single guy in our group. Even Clay and Riggs are married. Everybody is pairing off, starting families. And we’re not.”

I winced, not having meant to be so blunt.

Paige just snorted. “True. Of course, Iamstarting a family, I guess. In my own way.”

My gaze immediately went to her stomach, and Paige lowered her arms to place her palms over her flat belly.

“I’m having a baby, and I don’t know what to do with that. I’m still figuring it out. I don’t need pity.”

“I’m not giving you pity. I’m here to be your friend. Hell, Paige. Like I was saying, everybody else is paired off, finding the next phases of their lives. And, frankly, I’m content where I’m at. I like my job. I like my life. I’m not looking for marriage or futures or anything like the rest of your family.”

“Okay.” She stared at me, probably wondering where the hell I was going with this. That would make two of us.

“I know this isn’t how you planned for anything. I know you like planning and putting things in the right order. I get it, too. I’m not going to say it’s going to be easy, but I’ll be here. I’ll help you through this.”

I wasn’t even aware I was saying the words until they were out.

“Excuse me?” she whispered. “You’re going to be here for me. In what capacity?”

I began to pace, running my hands through my hair. “I don’t know. What do you need? Is ice cream something you’ll need? Holding your hand when things get tough? You said yourself that the rest of your family is moving on and creating lives. I get that. Hell, I’m happy for them. But I saw how you were afraid of what they might say because you’re going about this in a way that none of us ever planned. I don’t want you to have to do this alone.”

“Again, so, you’re going to what? Step up and be here for me? Doing what? Getting me ice cream, holding my hand as you said? Or holding my hair back when I throw up?”

I smiled, thinking back to when we were younger. “I’ve done that before.”

Her cheeks pinked, and I wanted to reach out and feel if they were warm. “When I was drunk.”

I shook my head. “Whiskey isn’t your thing.”

“That was spiced rum that time.” Her scowl was so cute. It always had been.

“Okay, so I’m wrong.”

“Lee.” Paige scowled again.

“I’m not wrong about this. I’m here.”

“I don’t need your pity,” she whispered, repeating her words.

I moved forward and finally let myself cup her cheek. “Then whatdoyou need?” My voice was low. I wasn’t sure what I needed her to say. Instead, I wiped away her tears and pulled her to my chest. She cried in my arms, her body shaking, and I kissed the top of her head, running my hand down her back.

“I don’t know why I’m crying. I’m not upset. I’m just overwhelmed. I don’t want my family to be disappointed in me.”

I frowned and moved back slightly, my hands still on her. “Why would they be disappointed in you? You’re an adult. You’re making choices and decisions that affect your life, but you’re rational about it.”

“I was the one who wanted a wedding and babies and the perfect life with a white picket fence. I was so sure that Colton was going to ask me to marry him.” She laughed, but there was no humor in her voice. “I told everybody that he was going to propose. That I was just one step away from joining them in holy matrimony. Whenever Annabelle, Eliza, or Brenna mentioned their wedding colors or who would be a bridesmaid, I always brought myself into it. I talked about the colors I wanted for my wedding. Or how it would be wonderful when we could all rotate who could be the maid of honor or the matron of honor in each other’s weddings, so nobody was left out. And yet, it didn’t happen for me. And I thought I would be okay. But now…this. I set myself up for this amazing thing, and when it failed, I saw the looks on their faces. They don’t blame me, but they feel sorry for me. And it’s only going to get worse. The single mom whose boyfriend didn’t want her.”

I cursed under my breath. “Paige.”

“I don’t want to feel sorry for myself, either. It gets me nowhere. Before, I pushed those thoughts out of my mind and pretended that I was okay. And now, things are changing again, and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

I moved forward and ran my thumb along her jaw. “Paige,” I whispered.

She was right there, a bare breath from me. I saw how her blue eyes widened, her mouth parted, and I didn’t even realize that I was lowering my mouth to hers until she gasped against my lips. My tongue brushed against hers, and I held back a groan, tasting her salty tears and the sweetness of the creamer from her tea earlier.

I pulled away, my eyes wide, and couldn’t believe I had just kissed Paige Montgomery.

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