Ink Enduring (Montgomery Ink #5)(63)

He knew she loved her job, even if she made fun of it sometimes. After all, he did the same with his. “Why aren’t you at Taboo, then?” He knew he was being an ass, but he needed to make sure she knew that she wasn’t banished from her favorite places because they weren’t together anymore.

She gave him a look that said she questioned his mental abilities but didn’t say as much. “Jake, seriously? That’s your place. It’s attached to Maya’s place. It’s okay that I needed to find a new café to eat in on Saturday afternoons.”

The waitress came at that moment and slammed down his plate and tea before stomping away. He met Holly’s eyes.

“Holly?”

“What, Jake?” Holly asked, exasperation in her tone. He wasn’t used to the sound of it in her sweet voice. “You look happy, you know that? You look amazingly happy, and I know it’s Maya and Border.” She smiled. “Yeah, I know about that, and I say it’s about time with Maya. As for Border? I only just met him, but I felt the connection between the two of you. I want you happy, Jake, and you are. Or, at least you’re on the right path this time. I wasn’t for you, and I know that. It’s okay, Jake. I’ll find my happy.”

Jake reached out and gripped her hand. She stiffened a bit before relaxing. “I want you to find your happy, too. I’m sorry I wasn’t it.”

She shook her head and removed your hand. “Don’t be sorry that we’re not meant to be. That look in your eyes right now? The one that says you’re falling in love or already have with two people who make you you? That’s the look you never had with me, and I’m glad we never got too far down a path we couldn’t back away from without breaking each other.”

“Holly,” he whispered.

“I’ll be okay, Jake.” She paused. “Or maybe I am okay now, I don’t know. But you don’t have to worry about me. I promise.”

“I’m always going to worry about you, Holly. We were friends, remember?”

Holly smiled at him, and he couldn’t help but smile back. She always had one of those smiles. It was why he’d asked her out in the first place.

“Be happy, Jake.” And with that, she slid out of the booth and reached to squeeze his shoulder. “And finish your lunch. You’re looking a bit peaked.”

He laughed then and stood up to bring her into his arms. He tucked her close, knowing that he’d hurt her because she’d seen something in him he hadn’t been able to hide. She might be the strongest person he knew, but she was still as fragile as can be.

She patted his back and moved away. “Be happy, Jake,” she repeated.

“I will.” He paused. “And come back to Taboo, Holly. Don’t change everything because of what we were, or rather because of what we weren’t.”

She studied his face. “I just might.”

Jake watched her walk away and sighed, suddenly not that hungry anymore. He just wanted to go home and see his people, see the ones that Holly thought made him happy. He let out a breath and walked toward the door, leaving his uneaten sandwich alone in the booth. What a weird day.

When his phone buzzed in his pocket, he was a little afraid to look at it to see whom it could be, considering the odd day already. The fact that it was a text from Maya made him smile.

I’m on my way to my place. Client canceled and I need clothes.

Jake smiled as he texted back. You don’t need clothes with me and Border around.

Chafing, Jake. Chafing. I need pants at least. And maybe a top.

Jake laughed as he got into his SUV. No underwear at least. You going to be there for a bit? Can I come by?

Maya responded quickly. You’re always welcome here, Jake. And I may or may not be wearing panties when you get here.

Jake groaned. On my way. Don’t come without me.

Bully.

He smiled again and pulled out onto the road so he could make it to Maya’s. He hadn’t been there in a while since Maya had been spending so much time at his house. It was easier since the three of them could fit into his bed and space much easier than in Maya’s apartment. Plus, Border was living with him, making it two against one in terms of location.

He blinked at that. He was living with another man, and Maya was well on her way to being there full-time, as well. How the hell had that happened? They honestly hadn’t talked about Border moving out to find his own place since that first night. The other man had sort of just fit in right away, and now Jake wasn’t sure what he’d do if Border wanted to leave. For all their talk of keeping things as casual as possible, they’d sure started off as serious as hell.

Jake took a shaky breath, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. He didn’t think there would be any going back. Not now. If things went to hell…he’d break. He knew it. He couldn’t look at Maya as just his best friend anymore. He f*cking loved her.

And Border couldn’t leave him again. Jake couldn’t be left behind if Border found himself in too deep with his job and frankly, his emotions. There isn’t any going back, he repeated to himself. He loved Border just as much as he loved Maya. He might have done his damndest not to think those words before this, but he knew he couldn’t hide it any longer.

He needed Maya and Border in his life for now and always.

He just prayed they were on the same page as him.