Page 34 of Inked Craving

I wasn’t going to ask for full parental rights. I wouldn’t ask him to sign them over to me. Because I couldn’t do that to the baby or to Colton. But Iwason my own. Colton would send money and would show up occasionally, but he had his own life, a wife, and a job he loved.

And only a few ties in Colorado.

I pushed those thoughts from my mind, not wanting to worry about the things that would break me until later. Instead, I tried to get up to hug Brenna, but Brenna pushed me back down, kissed my cheek, and hugged me tightly. “We love you, Paige,” she whispered and then moved back. Eliza handed me the next bundle, and I gave her an odd look.

“What is this?” I asked, shaking my head.

“Open it, silly.”

And so I did, promptly bursting into tears. Little gray and purple and bumblebee knitted booties, a sweater, and little caps that ranged in sizes so the baby could grow into them.

“You did all this?” I asked, swallowing hard.

“My brothers and I did, actually,” Eliza hedged, and the room quieted as they looked at her.

“My brothers just got out of the military and needed something to do with their hands, so they’re learning to group knit. I don’t ask questions, but they are having fun with that and crocheting. The fact that they could do the little booties like that while I couldn’t worried me, but those are my brothers. Good at everything they do.” Eliza rolled her eyes, and I held the little knitted booties close to my chest.

“Your brothers are freaking amazing. Hot, single guys with good jobs who can also knit? Why don’t they live here?” I teased, and Eliza just radiated.

“Oh, I’m sure a few of them could move up here if that’s what you need.” She winked as she said it.

I blushed, shaking my head. “No, I think I’m going to have enough on my hands.”

Andrea met my gaze, and I shushed her. My family didn’t know what was going on with Lee and me, other than that no one knew what was going on with Lee and me, let alone us. But Andrea had always had a feeling. Probably because I talked with her when I tried to take care of Lee the way he took care of me. She had an inkling that something was going on, even though nothing was. It couldn’t. Not when we were both doing so well at not letting things happen like that.

Annabelle handed me the last package. When I opened it, I swallowed hard, emotions and hormones choking me.

“Mom and I made this,” Annabelle said as both my mom and sister reached forward, their hands entwined with mine.

“It’s a quilt made of your baby clothes and a few other things I kept. You were the fifth child, Paige. And though people joke that those never get the baby books or the new clothes and always get hand-me-downs, and while that might have been somewhat true, I always kept things I wanted to give you for this day. You are a light and joy in my life, Paige. And I cannot wait to see and meet this new Montgomery of ours. You are so strong, so able. You’re going to be an amazing mother. I love you, honey.”

“What she said,” Annabelle whispered, and then I was crying and laughing. Thankfully, one of my friends from college giggled loudly into her champagne and set down the glass.

“Half a glass, and I’m already too buzzed. Is there a special Montgomery wine I don’t know about?”

Annabelle snapped her fingers. “You know, that is something we haven’t started yet. We need a Montgomery vineyard.”

“Maybe I can convince my brothers down in the Hill Country in Texas to begin a Wilder Wines. That would be fun.”

“Now I want wine,” I grumbled and shook my head, letting Annabelle take the bundles away. I snacked on sandwiches, played baby games, and couldn’t help but think about how my life wasn’t exactly what I had planned.

I would never regret this. I couldn’t because I was about to hold my baby. I would be a mom. It didn’t seem real, and it might not truly feel that way until I held my child. However, I was here. I wasn’t going anywhere. And I was doing this alone, somewhat. I had my family, I had my friends, and they would always be here for me. Lee would always be there for me.

But this wasn’t exactly how I had planned my life. Yet, I couldn’t change it. And I wouldn’t. I just needed to remember that, even if I had to remember not to think about Lee because he was just a friend. Only my friend.

As my hand itched to call him, to text him photos of the day, I didn’t. I would show him later, but I wouldn’t rely on him just now. Soon, he would need to walk away. He would remember that he had his own life, and being the guy who was always there for someone he didn’t want to be with in that way wasn’t his future. I needed to remember that.

Lee wasn’t mine. And I was my own person. I had all I needed.

I just needed to believe that.

ChapterEleven

Lee

I’d had a long morning at work, even though it was a weekend, and I probably should have taken the day off, but I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about the notes and Paige, and the fact that I didn’t know what was going to happen next. I wasn’t even sure why I had been targeted or who could be sending the notes and gifts to me in the first place. I’d had a few girlfriends in the past, but none that would do something like this.

Ashleigh had been sweet but wanted someone to travel the world with her. I was a relative homebody, despite never actually being at home because of work and Paige these days. Justine was an attorney who had moved to New York, and I’d figured we’d ended things on good terms. I’d dated Caroline for a few months, but she’d told me that she couldn’t be serious about me. She worked longer hours than I did at a security company at their front desk, and we rarely went out, but I’d always been exclusive regardless. I’d only had a few dates with Leia, and though it had ended oddly, especially in light of her coming over like she had, I wasn’t sure who else it could be—even if I didn’t think it was her at all.

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