Page 31 of Embraced in Ink
“You guys are such fuddy-duddies. I’m fine. I don’t even really need the cane today, I rarely do. I just wanted to be sure, and since I didn’t bring Jasper along, I didn’t have my support.”
Jasper was her white Siberian Husky, and the most adorable dog Bristol had ever met.
“You could have brought him over. You know I love him.”
“I know, but he and Liam are having a boys’ day.” Arden rolled her eyes. “I swear that dog is leaving me for Liam. Not that I blame him. I am going to miss him today, though.”
“He loves you.”
“That is true. Now, I brought over some wine, and makings for a charcuterie board like you asked. We’re building them, right? Together?”
“Oh, it’s my favorite part. I figured we could all work on it together because I brought some things, and I had a feeling that Holland would, too.”
“And speaking of…” Zia said, grinning.
Holland, Ethan and Lincoln’s lady love, walked through the door in that instant, her hands full. “I do have the makings for a charcuterie board, and my crockpot is full of balls.”
Bristol had to laugh. “Of course, you would think to bring the balls.”
Zia winked. “After all, you are a very lucky lady with two sets.”
“Okay, that’s enough talk about my brother’s balls,” Bristol said, shuddering.
“Yes, and considering theotherset of balls belongs to my cousin, let’s not talk about that either.”
Bristol looked at the other woman by Holland’s side and grinned.
“Madison, you came.”
The other woman smiled, seeming a little shy. “Thanks for having me. Lincoln said I needed to get out more, and now that he is officially part of the Montgomerys, he said I have a ready-made family waiting for me. Not that I actually want to throw myself into your waiting arms, but it is kind of nice not to only have my family.”
“You know, you were always welcome to hang out with us. Even before when Lincoln and Ethan were only friends.”
“That’s true, but I always felt weird joining in on every single Montgomery gathering.”
“There are a lot of those,” Holland said. And I’m the newest, so I’m still figuring it out.”
“I’m like a minute more into the Montgomery clan than you are,” Arden said dryly. “We can figure out our roads together.”
“That sounds fine with me,” Madison said, and they all laughed.
“Does everyone know Zia?” Bristol asked, herding everyone into the kitchen and making sure Arden sat down. Everyone finished introducing themselves and moved farther into the house.
“Okay, let’s get making this charcuterie board as a group, pour some wine, and then we can talk about exactly how the hell Bristol Montgomery is marrying her Marcus.”
Everyone looked over at Zia as she smiled and shrugged. “What? I thought we could talk about the elephant in the room. I mean, that is the elephant in the room, right? Are there any more that I’m missing?”
“Not that I know of,” Holland said, tapping her chin. “I’m sure we can find more. But first, let’s talk about engagements. Because, oh my God. You and Marcus? How did that happen?”
Arden clapped her hands together. “Please tell us. Everything. How long have you guys been dating? When did this happen? I mean, we all thought we saw the chemistry, but we didn’t want to overthink it.”
“You know, I wasn’t even really around as much, andIsaw the chemistry. I’m so happy for you guys.” Madison ran a hand through her hair.
Bristol smiled at her words, even as she broke out in a cold sweat. “Um, let’s work on cheese first. Because, yeah, I think I might need some wine, too.”
Everyone stared at her and then purposely went back to work, changing the subject to Arden and Liam’s next trip on his book tour, rather than the fact that Bristol was finally getting married.
Finally? Oh. That was a word she hadn’t meant to use, even in her head. Or was it?