Page 3 of Happily Ever Never

I didn’t want to do any of that. So, instead, I pulled intothe parking lot of Montgomery Ink Legacy, turned off the car, and hoped to seea familiar face or two.

Some days when I came here, I even brought Luke since heloved to see the man I knew would one day be his stepfather.

I was Luke’s nanny. And it might not sound lush and high-endto some people, but I loved my job. I loved making sure that Luke’s life wasenriched, and Brooke didn’t have to worry about him when she was at work—notthat my friend wouldn’t worry. She excelled at it, but she trusted me with herson and her future, which meant the world to me—more than most things.

Brooke’s boyfriend, Leif Montgomery, owned this tattoo shop,a place where I would one day get a tattoo when I was ready. I’d only been in acouple of times before, and for some reason, I just wanted to come in heretonight.

The tattoo shop was set in a strip mall that didn’t looked nothing like strip malls from when I was a kid. Therewere gorgeous trees, fun, artsy shops, and cute cafés everywhere. It was a niceplace to be, and I liked coming here.

I walked inside and grinned at the two people who I knew thebest.

Lake Montgomery, a woman with kind and sad eyes, one of mydearest friends, waved at me, holding her books close to her chest. She hadbeen through hell and back, and I was so proud to call her my friend. I wasgrateful that even after everything she’d gone through, she was still in mycorner.

“Oh, no. You had a date tonight. And you’re here.” Sheglanced at the clock. “Before seven. Ouch.”

I winced as I reached out to hug her. She hugged me backtightly after setting down her books, and I swallowed hard, my emotions runningstrong. I wouldn’t have reached out like this before, not without warning orasking her if it was okay. But the fact that she could hold me so tightly rightnow? It told me that she was finally breathing again.

But I didn’t want to think about that because I knew fromthe look on her face that she didn’t want to talk about it. And from the hungrylook in the eyes of the man walking toward me—his attention only on Lake—hewouldn’t want to talk about it, either.

“Bad date?” Nick asked as he looked over Lake’s head andwinked at me.

I rolled my eyes. “Of course. The last good date Ihad was with this one,” I said, pointing at Leif.

Leif choked on his water, sputtering. “Seriously? That can’tbe right.”

Lake burst out laughing, as did the few others in the room.That’s when I noticed I wasn’t alone with my friends. No, the place was full ofcustomers, their friends, and a few other artists I had never metbefore.

“Oh. I didn’t realize you were all here. I’m sorry. I’mgoing to go hide under a rock now—as soon as I find one.”

“Don’t hide on our account,” a man with dark hair, lighteyes, and a wicked grin said as he stepped forward. He held out his hand. “I’mLeo. And you are the woman of my dreams.”

I burst out laughing. I couldn’t help it.

He rolled his eyes as the others laughed outright with me.“Well, then. I guess that put me in my place. Seriously, though, I’m Leo. It’sgood to meet you. It’s May, right? You’re Leif and Brooke’s nanny. I mean, Luke’snanny—not that Leif doesn’t need one.”

I didn’t hear any derision in his tone, only interest. Thatwas different. Most people weren’t sure why I was still a nanny with all mycollege degrees and experience. But I really did love my job. Other people withtheir misconceptions and preconceived notions would have to get overthemselves.

“I am May, their nanny. You’re the jokester of the place,right?”

Another man behind Leo cracked up. “Sure. If that’s what hewants to call himself. I’m Tristan. This is Taryn,” Tristan said as he gesturedtoward a gorgeous woman with bright red hair. “We all work for these headhonchos over here.” He pointed toward Nick, Lake, and Leif.

I knew the three of them had come together to purchase thebuilding and start Montgomery Ink Legacy. There was a fourth owner, someoneelse who had bought in that had a small share. Once he was old enough, he wouldbuy into the business more. He was on the board and part of the ownership andlegacy. Or at least he had been. My heart hurt for Sebastian Montgomery and thehardships he was going through. For the unending pain and hope all twisted intoone future. I didn’t know Sebastian well, but I hoped he knew he wasn’t alone.If a mere stranger hurt for him and was willing to help him like I was, Ireally hoped he had someone close to lean on.

“So, you here for a tattoo?” Leif asked.

I shook my head, my lips twitching. “Not now. I just didn’twant to go home alone and have a chocolate drumstick.”

“Don’t knock chocolate drumsticks. They’re amazing.” Leoreturned to his seat and gestured to the notepad in front of him. His clientbent over it, and the two went back to work.

“True, but it was a crappy night.”

“Are you okay?” Leif asked, his gaze narrowing.

Leo looked at me again, his expression fierce. The rest ofthe men in the group followed suit. Lake was the only one who appeared worriedinstead of angry, and I hated that because it had nothing to do with me. Nicknoticed and rubbed the back of her neck, and Lake softened into him,practically melting.

Those two were so good for each other, and I was happythey’d finally seen each other rather than continually running.

“I’m fine. It just wasn’t a great night. One day, I willhave a date that doesn’t end up boring, rude, or with someone telling me Ishouldn’t have dessert.”