Page 7 of Inked Craving

The moon in mine.

You are mine.

For all eternity.

And for the galaxy’s edge.

I frowned, looked over the note front and back, and wondered what the hell I had just read. A nonsensical poem that didn’t make any sense?

I frowned, put the note back in the envelope, and then into my pocket. Maybe it was a joke from one of the guys or something. It didn’t have a stamp on it, but someone had sent a courier over with it. It also had my name on it, and everything was typed. Maybe it was a friend from school or back in the fraternity being a jerk. We used to like playing pranks on each other when I was younger. Maybe it was one of them.

I didn’t know, but when I saw Benjamin getting out of his truck and heading towards the sushi place, I pushed those thoughts from my mind. I had to focus on lunch, my friend, and keeping my secret about Paige out of my mind. I didn’t have time to worry about odd poetry that didn’t make any sense.

“Hey, you walked over?” Benjamin asked as he held open the door for me. I looked over at the other man, noticed his dark hair and Montgomery-blue eyes. While he looked exactly like his twin, he also had a touch of Paige in him that I hadn’t noticed until just now. I wondered why the hell I cared in the moment.

I nodded and held up two fingers at the hostess as we walked inside. She grinned at both of us, her gaze going down Benjamin’s body before doing the same to mine. I held back a snort. My best friend was hot, if I did say so myself, but he was happily married and a father to one of the most adorable kids ever.

Of course, that reminded me of Paige, and I quickly thought about something else to say. Anything else. Why was there nothing else to say?

“You’re not going to flirt back?” Benjamin asked as we sat down at our usual table, the hostess having left us alone.

I frowned. “No, I’m in the middle of a workday.”

“Never stopped you before.”

I blinked and looked up at him. “Was I that bad?”

“There’s nothing bad about flirting. You’re not an asshole. You date, but it’s not like you’re a cheater or go through women like paper towels or some shit.”

I snorted. “That’s the analogy you’re going to use?”

“I don’t know. I’m a married man now. I know nothing about the single life.”

I shook my head and leaned into the back of the booth. “Not that you were enjoying yourself around town too much before that.”

Benjamin shrugged and toyed with the menu. “I had my moments, but Brenna’s all mine now. And I don’t need anyone else.”

I grinned, thinking about how the two of them had fallen for each other seemingly out of the blue. The four of us, including Beckett, had been friends forever, and yet the two of them seemed as if they’d been made for one another. “I still can’t believe you married our Brenna. Dear, dear Brenna.”

My friend narrowed his eyes, though they were filled with laughter. “She’s my dear, dear Brenna, Lee. Don’t you forget it.”

I rolled my eyes and smiled at the waiter as he brought us water.

The middle-aged man beamed at us. “Lee, Benjamin, you’re back.”

I met Benjamin’s gaze and snorted. “The fact that you know our names means we might be coming here too much. Is that a bad thing?”

“No, no. I like you two. You’re clean, quiet, and easy. I’m calling it a win.”

“I’m glad to know that our reputation isn’t too bad,” Benjamin said with a shrug as he looked over the menu. “You up for the usual?” he asked.

I nodded, suddenly starving. “We’ll take the platter M with a side platter A and two miso soups.”

“What if I want a salad?” Benjamin asked, folding down the menu.

“Then you would be having an off day since you and Lee seem to love our soup,” our waiter said with a laugh as he took our menus back. “I’ll get your miso right out, and our chef saw you walk in, so I’m sure they’re already out looking for the extra-large platters to fill.”

I snorted and shook my head. “I can’t help it. I’m a glutton for sushi. And your soup.”

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