I’d never forget, however, as I dreamed about it often, yet waking up to Brenna in my arms helped.

  “I was thinking about weddings and how our families exploded over the past year or so.”

  She looked up at me and grinned. “You’re right. What’s funny is I felt like I’ve always been here. And I have. I’ve been the best friend of the Montgomerys, and now I’m going to have your last name. That is, if my family lets me change it.”

  I snorted, thinking about her family, her parents, brothers, and sisters. “Your sisters changed their last name to their husbands’.”

  “They did, but I was the last holdout. And I think they are afraid the Montgomerys will truly take over the rest of the world.”

  “It only takes a few more marriages, and then we’ll probably have enough of us in offices and leadership roles around the country. First the US, and then the world. Soon it will just be the United States of Montgomerys.”

  She blinked up at me and burst out laughing. “You sounded so serious just then.”

  “I am serious. It’s in our doctrine. Soon you’ll learn it. Once you get the tattoo.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’ve always wanted the Montgomery Ink Iris. Are we going to go down to Denver or Colorado Springs to get it done?” she asked, speaking of the two tattoo shops that were in our family.

  “You make the decision, though there will be a battle over who gets to do it.”

  “Really?”

  “Pretty much. I think it’s an inside family joke, but Austin Montgomery did mine.”

  “Then maybe he should do mine too.”

  “That’s a good way to make it work. That way, you don’t have to make a decision.”

  “I like the sound of that,” she whispered, and I leaned down and brushed my lips against hers.

  “Seriously? Again?” Beckett asked, clearing his throat as he stood beside us.

  I looked at my twin and shook my head. “You were just making out with Eliza in the corner.”

  Eliza giggled from my twin’s side. “You caught us,” she teased.

  “Brenna is my best friend. Just watch where you make out with her,” Beckett replied, a little bit of laughter in his gaze.

  “I do think that this group is getting a little too close,” Lee announced as he walked into the room, staring between all of us. “I think I’m officially the last holdout.”

  I looked at the only single person in the house and laughed. “Pretty much. Everybody is either married, having children, or in a serious relationship.”

  Lee took a sip of his beer. “I’m never settling down. You do realize that, right? It’s a point of pride at this point.”

  I met Brenna’s gaze, and she snorted. After all, I was pretty sure both of us had said that at one point or another in the past few months.

  I looked around at my family and knew that things were going to change again soon. In a few months, there would be babies and then children laughing and jumping around. Weddings and birthday parties, and other events to bring us together.

  We hadn’t always been good about speaking our thoughts or opening up to one another, not as much as our cousins were with their family. We were getting better at it, though.

  Beckett and Eliza grinned at each other, whispering secrets that had nothing to do with us. We were only part of their little world. Annabelle was on the couch while her husband rubbed her ankles. Archer and Marc laughed with my parents, Marc smiling softly as he looked at Archer, while Archer waved his hands wildly as they made plans for their engagement party.

  Paige and Colton were on the deck, both of them looking serious, but not like they were fighting, so I didn’t say anything. It wasn’t my place, at least for now. Of course, as I looked, Beckett also glanced over at the deck and narrowed his gaze.

  It seemed that I wasn’t the only one ready to stand in and protect our little sister, even if she didn’t need any protection.

  “Hey, pay attention to me,” Brenna said, grinning up at me.

  I kissed her softly. “Yes?”

  “Paige is fine. She’s hanging out with her boyfriend. Stop growling.”

  “Fine, I’ll try. I can’t help it. She’s my baby sister.”

  “And your baby sister can take care of herself,” Lee said from my other side, and I looked over at my friend.

  “It is true, but I can’t help it. We’re going to get growly about her. It’s what we do.”

  Lee sighed. “On that note, I’m going to go and get another drink. The commitment vibes are so strong here, it’s getting hard to breathe.”

  I rolled my eyes as Lee walked away, and then I pulled Brenna closer.

  “Did you ever think we’d be here?”

  “Honestly, last month I didn’t think we’d be here, and here we are, heading into our second trimester, and you are about to be a daddy two times over.”

  I snorted, knowing that while I wasn’t going to be called daddy, yes, my genes were about to make two people.

  This wasn’t how I expected my future to be, but it was better than anything I could ever have wanted.

  I held Brenna close, kissed her again, and ignored the laughter and warmth and everything else around us.

  The Montgomerys would always be there, but for this moment, I just needed Brenna.

  The woman I never expected, the friend I had always hidden away from myself.

  And my other half.

  And the woman I would be forever devoted to, to the end of my days.

  RESOLUTION

  Paige

  * * *

  Tonight was the night.

  After over a year of dating, tonight was the night Colton and I would finally take the next step. He’d called me this morning and asked me to meet him at one of our favorite spots. He’d sounded so nervous and told me that he was excited over something. Colton had sent over flowers the day before with a note saying, ‘just because’ and I couldn’t stop smiling.

  Tonight, Colton would get down on one knee and propose to me. And I would say yes.

  I loved him with every ounce of my soul and could not wait until we started our life together.

  I bit my lip as I looked into the mirror, pinning my hair back from my face. I loved Colton. He made me smile, made me laugh, and I knew I’d spend the rest of my life with him. He was my everything, and I could not wait to say yes.

  I wore a light peach wrap-dress, one that I loved and made me happy to wear. I felt pretty and like a princess. Instead of a crown, I had a planner and a tablet, but it worked for me. Just in case tonight wasn’t the night, I still looked and felt pretty. I was a realist with my head in the clouds for only moments, not the entire day, after all.

  With one last look in the mirror, I made my way to my car, singing and dancing in my seat as I drove toward the park. The night was beautiful, with not a cloud in sight. The moon was full, and the sky was bright.

  Romance filled the air, and if I were any more jovial and lighthearted, I’d be filled with cotton candy and annoy the hell out of my family.

  I smirked as I parked, shaking my head. I was the giddy one of the group, just like Archer, but I probably hit the annoyance factor more. I didn’t mind since a grumpy Montgomery was a normal Montgomery. I’d be the weird one.

  Hopefully, later tonight, I’d be the engaged weird one.

  I picked up my bag and did my best not to skip to our meeting spot on the patio outside of Colton’s restaurant in the park. We’d met at this spot, and I’d fallen for him at that exact moment.

  Montgomerys didn’t always fall at first sight, but when they did, it lasted.

  I gripped my hands tightly in front of me as Colton came forward, his blond hair messy and pushed back from his face. The ends reached his collar, and while I knew he wanted a haircut, I liked the surfer look on him. He was gorgeous, tan, intelligent, caring, and mine.

  “Paige.”

  His voice was smooth whiskey that slid over me, and I couldn’t help but smile wide. I loved this man so much, and it almost hurt sometimes because it was too much. I’d never fallen like this before, and I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to make clear and coherent thoughts when he was around.

  “Colton.” I went up to my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. He was taller than me, so he always had to lean down for me to kiss him. I didn’t mind. He always made sure I could have his lips, his taste—his everything.

  “I’m glad you could make it. I have a busy shift tonight but wanted to talk with you about something important and time-sensitive.”

  I blinked, wondering if this was a different way to begin a proposal. I’d never been proposed to, however, so I wasn’t sure.

  “I’m here. Thank you so much for inviting me out tonight. I love this spot. It’s the first place I met you.” My heart raced, and I told myself to calm down.

  He blinked, distracted. “That’s right. I forgot. I like it because it’s so close to the restaurant, so I don’t have to take much time away. You know?”

  Not really, but maybe I was making too much of his words.

  “I’m glad it’s close, then.”

  He smiled. “I have great news, Paige. Do you know Massimo? The chef out in New York that’s opening a new place?”

  I tilted my head, dread pooling in my belly as my dreams of the evening began to shatter like fine glass all around me. “I remember him.”

  He’d been a jerk and an egotistical asshole when he’d visited and had treated Colton like something under his shoe, but I didn’t mention that part.

  “Good! Because he offered me a position. Head fucking chef. He needs someone to do it all. As a partner. It won’t just be his place, but ours. I’ll get to work with one of the best, Paige. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid to own a restaurant in New York and be in the scene, and now I finally get my chance. I’m so fucking excited, babe.”

  I swallowed hard, the ringing in my head growing louder as I tried to keep up. “New York? As in… not in Colorado? What… what are you talking about, Colton?”

  He seemed to realize he might have said the wrong thing because he winced before reaching out to cup my face. I took a step back, not sure I wanted him to touch me at that moment. I wasn’t sure what I’d say to him if he did.

  “Babe.”

  “Please don’t call me babe.” I’d never hated it before, but I didn’t like it then.

  “Paige. This is a great opportunity. Once in a lifetime.”

  “I thought we were once in a lifetime.”

  He grimaced. “Paige, baby. It’s a huge chance—my big break. I mean… I guess you can come with me.”

  He guessed. As in, he wasn’t sure. As in, I wasn’t at the forefront of his mind.

  “My entire family is here, Colton. My job. My life. I can’t just move to New York and start another Montgomery Builders. That’s not how this works.”

  He ran his hand through his hair. “Shit. I didn’t think you’d react like this.”

  “How am I supposed to react, Colton? I thought you were going to fucking propose, and now you’re saying you’re moving across the country and didn’t think about what would happen to me when you did?” I hadn’t meant to let all of those words out, and now there was no way to take them back.

  Colton blanched. “Paige…it’s not that I don’t like you. I do.”

  I held up my hand before he could break my heart any more than he had. “Don’t. Don’t placate me. Clearly, we were looking at this relationship from very different places. I—I can’t look at you right now.” I didn’t want him to see me break.

  “I need to head back, Paige. I can’t let them do this without me. We’ll talk later. I promise. We’ll figure something out.”

  I met his gaze, grateful that my eyes were dry. “No, don’t. It’s fine. Go. Just go.”

  Then he did the only thing he could do, the only thing that broke me. He left. And he didn’t look back.

  I stood on our spot, grateful for the privacy, but I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think.

  I’d thought I’d found my happiness. I thought I was ready for my future.

  It turned out I was once again the baby Montgomery with her head in the clouds and stars in her eyes. Colton didn’t love me. Colton wasn’t my forever. And somehow, I was supposed to walk away from here as if nothing had happened.

  My body began to shake, and I pulled out my phone, knowing I needed someone. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t drive. I needed help.

  Only I didn’t want to put that on their shoulders. I didn’t want to bother them and have them worry about little Paige again. That’s all they’d done my entire life.

  I rolled my shoulders back and made my way to my car. I’d deal with this alone—just like I should have done in the beginning.

  I’d put my faith in the wrong man, and I promised myself I’d never do it again.

  The Montgomerys fell hard, and now it seemed they broke even harder.

  I’d fallen once, and I vowed to myself even as I fought through the pain, I’d never do it again.

  I’d never fall in love with anyone ever again.

  No matter what fate tossed my way.

  * * *

  Next in the Montgomery Ink series?

  Paige and… Lee change everything in Inked Craving

  * * *

  Want to read a special BONUS EPILOGUE featuring Benjamin & Brenna CLICK HERE!

  A Note from Carrie Ann Ryan

  Thank you so much for reading INKED DEVOTION!

  This book was honestly a blast to write. I loved the fact that not only did Brenna surprise me, but Benjamin’s story did as well. I loved how they twisted together and how these Montgomerys are tugging on my heart!

  Next up in the Montgomery Ink series?

  Paige and Lee change the game. Yes. I said Paige and Lee. Inked Craving will break my heart and I honestly cannot wait.

  * * *

  The Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins Series:

  Book 1: Inked Persuasion

  Book 2: Inked Obsession

  Book 3: Inked Devotion

  Book 3.5: Nothing But Ink

  Book 4: Inked Craving

  Book 5: Inked Temptation

  * * *

  If you want to make sure you know what’s coming next from me, you can sign up for my newsletter at www.CarrieAnnRyan.com; follow me on twitter at @CarrieAnnRyan, or like my Facebook page. I also have a Facebook Fan Club where we have trivia, chats, and other goodies. You guys are the reason I get to do what I do and I thank you.

  Make sure you’re signed up for my MAILING LIST so you can know when the next releases are available as well as find giveaways and FREE READS.

  Happy Reading!

  Want to read a special BONUS EPILOGUE featuring Benjamin & Brenna CLICK HERE!

  * * *

  Want to keep up to date with the next Carrie Ann Ryan Release? Receive Text Alerts easily!

  Text CARRIE to 210-741-8720

  About the Author

  Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Fractured Connections, and Elements of Five series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.

  www.CarrieAnnRyan.com

  Also from Carrie Ann Ryan

  The Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins Series:

  Book 1: Inked Persuasion

  Book 2: Inked Obsession

  Book 3: Inked Devotion

  Book 3.5: Nothing But Ink

  Book 4: Inked Craving

  Book 5: Inked Temptation

  * * *

  The On My Own Series:

  Book 1: My One Night

  Book 2: My Rebound

  Book 3: My Next Play

  Book 4: My Bad Decisions

  * * *

  The Ravenwood Coven Series:

  Book 1: Dawn Unearthed

  Book 2: Dusk Unveiled

  Book 3: Evernight Unleashed

  * * *

  Montgomery Ink:

  Book 0.5: Ink Inspired

  Book 0.6: Ink Reunited

  Book 1: Delicate Ink

  Book 1.5: Forever Ink

  Book 2: Tempting Boundaries

  Book 3: Harder than Words

  Book 3.5: Finally Found You

  Book 4: Written in Ink

  Book 4.5: Hidden Ink

  Book 5: Ink Enduring

  Book 6: Ink Exposed

  Book 6.5: Adoring Ink

  Book 6.6: Love, Honor, & Ink

  Book 7: Inked Expressions

  Book 7.3: Dropout

  Book 7.5: Executive Ink

  Book 8: Inked Memories

  Book 8.5: Inked Nights

  Book 8.7: Second Chance Ink

  * * *

  Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs

  Book 1: Fallen Ink

  Book 2: Restless Ink

  Book 2.5: Ashes to Ink

  Book 3: Jagged Ink

  Book 3.5: Ink by Numbers

  * * *

  The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series:

  Book 1: Wrapped in Ink

  Book 2: Sated in Ink

  Book 3: Embraced in Ink

  Book 4: Seduced in Ink

  Book 4.5: Captured in Ink

  * * *

  The Gallagher Brothers Series:

  Book 1: Love Restored

  Book 2: Passion Restored

  Book 3: Hope Restored