Page 7 of Kiss Me Forever

When we had built this subset of the company, Jamie asked to be our house manager. She worked for a few businesses, organizing us, keeping us on topic, and making sure we knew what the hell we were doing, and she was brilliant at it. She still organized us and did the admin for the company. She just did it from Wyoming. Much like she did for the other companies that she worked for.

Jamie also used to bring in coffee for us, knowing exactly what we wanted.

I missed my cousin something fierce. We would eat lunch together and plan shenanigans. We’re more like sisters than cousins. And as someone with two older brothers, I liked having another woman in my life. But she was happy, thriving, and the move was good for her.

I quickly pulled into the next set of businesses and parked in front of Latte on the Rocks. It was owned by two women who had married into the Montgomerys and were technically my cousins now. The tattoo shop next door was owned and operated by a couple of cousins, as were the two end businesses—Montgomery Security and Montgomery Gallery. I only felt a little sad that our office wasn’t in this area, but it didn’t make sense to have a construction and architectural office in a strip mall section of the town. Not that this felt very strip mall. There were gorgeous trees everywhere, and with the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, you couldn’t go wrong.

I walked into the cafe and smiled as Raven stood at the cash register. She had her dark and hot pink hair pulled back from her face and looked radiant.

“Hey, Brooklyn. I didn’t know you were coming in today.”

“We have a business meeting, and I figured I would pick up some coffees to go. What do you say, in the mood to make things pretty?”

“Of course. I’m just sad that Jamie’s not here to pick them up. Not that I don’t approve of her move. I just don’t know if I like Montgomerys not living in Colorado.”

I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh. “I was just thinking that. I know it’s one state away, but it feels so far.”

Between her and Libby living so far away, it’s just not fair.

One of our other cousins had married the brother of the man Jamie was with. I didn’t know all of the family tree, but it was nice that everybody seemed so connected, and my two cousins weren’t alone.

“So how many coffees can I get you?”

“It’s way too hot outside, so I’m going to need an iced praline latte.”

“Got you. What about for the boys?”

“Lex, Dash, and Cullen will be there for sure,” I said, naming off their drinks. I knew they also liked different versions of iced coffees, so they would get what they got.

“Anyone else?”

I grit my teeth, annoyed that I was even annoyed. “And one hot black coffee for Reece.”

Raven rolled her eyes. “He’s had a latte in here before you know.”

I tried not to perk up at that. I did not want Reece Fox. He was annoying. Too old for me, and a man. I did not want to be with anybody ever again.

“Brooklyn?” Raven asked, her voice soft.

“Then get him what you think he likes. I don’t know.”

“We have a good daily coffee, I’ll make sure he gets that.” She winked as she said it, and I felt bad. Reece had been nice to me all day, even if he called me Freckles and growled about it. I needed to get over whatever was going on.

I stood off to the side people watching as I waited for my coffees. Latte on the Rocks had grown in business over the years and even during the slower times, there were still countless people coming and going. Raven came forward, coffee carrier in hand, and I reached out to help her.

“Thank you. Seriously.”

“It’s my job. I also put in an iced praline latte for Reece, because I think he might like that too. Just in case. And a few Danishes because I’m me and I can’t help it.”

“I love you. Thank you.”

“I love you too, boo.” She hugged me tightly, and since my hands were full, I couldn’t hug her back.

The Montgomerys all hugged and touched and loved one another. But this hug was different. I knew it, she knew it, but there were no words needed.

After all what did you say to a person who wasn’t a widow, because they didn’t have names for fiancées left behind? Duke hadn’t even given me a name or a title before he had decided to end his life. I could be angry with him for that. And sad. And destitute. And every other word you wanted to use to talk about what you said to the person left behind.

Everybody walked on eggshells when it came to me, and I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to say to get them to stop doing that. I set everything carefully in my truck, grateful that Raven had packaged it so tightly, and headed down the highway one exit to our office. I was probably running late, but they would just have to wait. After all, I was bringing coffee.