Page 50 of Embraced in Ink

“Well, I do kind of like going over our celebrity crushes together. It always made me feel like we were best friends for a reason.”

“We’re best friends for more reasons than our crush on Michael B. Jordan.”

“And Jennifer Garner. We cannot forget the days ofAlias.”

Marcus grinned, shaking his head. “You’re right. We can never forget those days. Though I still don’t understand the red wig.”

“You’re not supposed to. All you have to know is that it made her look pretty.”

“Whatever you say. Now, we’re going to be late, but you have to promise me not to matchmake with Madison.”

“Why?”

“Because you don’t do matchmaking well. We both know this.”

“That was one time, and I didn’t realize they were cousins.”

“They had the same last name, and I’m pretty sure you met them both at a family barbecue that they invited the neighbors to.”

“I thought one of them had to be a neighbor. I also cannot believe that we’re still having this conversation.”

“I’m just saying,” he whispered.

“Stop. I’m not going to matchmake. I’m going to friend-make.” She groaned. “Okay, that doesn’t make sense. Madison is slowly coming into my web.” She paused again, while Marcus’s eyes danced with laughter. “That is not what I meant either.”

“Oh, I’m picturing you with this web of friends and acquaintances that you’re slowly bringing together, your little legs working as you weave.”

“Shush. As I was saying, Madison’s family sucks, we all know that. And she’s finally hanging out with us a little more. So, I’m going to make sure she knows that she’s welcome to be one of us.”

“I’m not going to repeat it for you. I don’t think you’re a cult.”

“No, I wasn’t expecting you to. And we’re not a cult. We’re the Montgomerys.”

“Your family motto?”

She growled. “Now, really, we need to get going.”

He paused before they moved. “Will Madison be there?”

“Yes, because she’s coming with Lincoln.” She grinned prettily, batting her eyes.

“You talked to Lincoln about it, didn’t you?”

“No, I talked to Ethan because he was closer to me, and he talked to Lincoln.”

“Oh, the web you weave.”

“Ack. Stop,” she said, laughing. The drive to her parents’ house was relatively quick, and she still marveled at the fact that, somehow, she was able to live near most of her family in an age where not everyone was able to do that.

“I’m so grateful that your family and mine all still live here. I mean, I know Liam and I moved around a bit, mostly because of work, but now we’re all here. You know?”

Marcus reached out and pressed her knee again, and even though her stomach clenched, mostly at his nearness, she still relaxed, the familiar touch soothing.

“I get it. I don’t know what I would do if I had to live far from my family. I’m spoiled that way.”

“The fact that all three of your sisters got married and still moved near you is insane.”

“Your family’s the same way. Hell, like ninety percent of your cousins even live in the state.”