Page 26 of Happily Ever Never

“And as such, we can tell you there are no boundaries whenit comes to us. We are all friends. Yes, you technically work with us, butwe’re friends.”

“I’m trying to be better about boundaries and things likethat. I just don’t want you thinking that you’re forced to hang out with mebecause I work for you.”

“With,” Brooke corrected. “With us. Yes, Ipay your salary, but I say that because you are helping me raise my favorite personin the world. So, with.”

I blinked away tears and finished my mimosa. “You guys aretoo good to me.”

“It doesn’t always feel like that. But don’t worry. You’restuck with us forever now.”

I had other friends, of course, but over the past fewmonths, Brooke and Lake had become my touchstones, my true friends thatunderstood me more than I thought possible.

They didn’t laugh or make fun of me when it came to my datingand the fact that it never worked out. And they didn’t try to set me up withpeople constantly. Instead, they waited to see what I needed and were alwaysthere for me.

We were a family, and I hadn’t even realized I had foundone.

We finished our mimosas, made sure we had enough brunch inus to counteract those drinks and headed down the street. We were in downtownDenver and passed by Montgomery Ink, the original tattoo shop Leif’s fatherowned and operated. We didn’t walk in but waved at a big man with a beard. Irecognized him as Austin, Leif’s dad.

“I have no idea how he keeps getting better-looking,” I saidwith a laugh.

Both Brooke and Lake looked at me, and I grinned. “I didn’tmean to say that out loud.”

“It’s okay. He’s hot. But that is the man who fathered myboyfriend. So, let’s not mention that again.”

We laughed, shaking our heads as we crossed the street andwent to Beneath the Cover, the local bookstore. It was also owned by aMontgomery, which I found hilarious, considering how many businesses the Montgomerys ran in this state.

The place was hopping, people laughing and milling about,baskets full to the brim with books and other items. Although most things weredigital these days, this place was doing great business, and I was happy to seeit.

“I’m going to go check out the children’s section.”

“Anything you get, you let me buy. Especially if it’s for mykid,” Brooke teased as she went to the romance section, Lake right behind her.

I wasn’t ready to buy a romance book right now. I needed abreak from it. But I could look for things for my job. So, that was what Iwould focus on.

I turned the corner and nearly ran into a very muscled man.One that made my heart pound and my mouth go dry. A man I knew quite well—orrather, didn’t know at all.

“Leo.”

Did my voice squeak? Why had my voice just squeaked?

“May?” His eyes widened, and he nearly dropped the handfulof children’s books in his arms. I reached out to steady him, gripping hisforearm. His muscled forearm. His thick forearm.

I needed to stop thinking like that.

“Are you okay? I didn’t mean to make you drop everything.”

A slight blush crossed his cheekbones for an instant beforehe smiled at me.

That smile did things to me—and should probably worry memore than it did.

“No worries. I didn’t see you there. And,wow. It’s good to see you up and about.”

I winced. “I’m fine, really. Thank you for saving me and allthat.”

He moved as if he wanted to wave that away and then realizedhe was still holding the books. “Well. I didn’t know you would be in here. Orthat you shopped here. It’s not really in our neck of the woods.”

I shook my head. “No, it’s a little ways away, but I wasdown at a café with the girls for brunch. And since a Montgomery owns this,it’s nice to keep it in the family.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” He looked down at hisarms. “My sister is having twin boys soon. So, I got a bunch of books for thefour older girls because they need goodies, too. With the baby shower, the boysgot everything. Except for a couple of people who remembered that there werefour little girls who were really excited about their baby brothers but couldstill use presents.”