Page 15 of Inked Temptation
She fluttered her eyelashes as she said it, and I sighed. “I do, but I’m sure he’s busy.”
“His family does some fantastic work up here, and his cousins own Montgomery Inc. down in Denver.”
I frowned, confused. “His cousins own a tattoo shop? How does that have anything to do with his current job?”
She waved me off. “No, they own Montgomery Inc., I-N-C, the huge construction company that started off as a small family business and is now doing eco-friendly builds like they are up here with Montgomery Builders. Same family, two different branches, but quite friendly. They also own Montgomery Ink, I-N-K, the tattoo shop I know you’ve gotten a tattoo at before.”
I looked down at my forearm, at the Irish knot hidden beneath the leaves I had inked a year ago.
“They did a fucking incredible job. Should have put two and two together, with the name Montgomery.”
She waved me off. “Montgomery isn’t too much of a unique name, but they are related. However, though Montgomery Builders up here is busy, I’m sure they could fit you in since you are a neighbor.”
“I’m Evelyn and Robert’s neighbor.” And they were moving. I wasn’t sure I could handle any new family in that house. And if they had kids? I held back a shudder as the coffee settled awkwardly in my stomach.
“Andmyneighbor, and I still love you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for being so helpful.”
“I noticed you didn’t say I love you too, but I understand. We’re not quite there yet in our relationship.”
She smiled coyly, and I had to wonder if I had hurt her by not saying it. I didn’t know if I could. She seemed to understand my hesitance but didn’t say anything about it. After all, she knew exactly why I lived here, and why I wouldn’t sayI love you.
“Anyway, you should ask the boy.”
“Boy,” I repeated. There was nothingboyabout Archer Montgomery. He was all man. Not that I was allowing myself to think that.
“Younger than both of us. But still a man. And he has sad eyes.”
I stiffened, wondering why she was bringing that up. “Sad eyes.”
“Yes. Sad, sad eyes. Handsome ones, though.”
That made me snort. “You should ask him out then.”
“I didn’t mention that you should, but he’s not my type. He could be yours.”
There was no way I was continuing this line of conversation. “You don’t know my type, Penny. And I’m not interested in dating or whatever.”
“Sometimes it’s theor whateverthat’s the fun part. Talk with him. See if he can help. I’m sure there are a few things that you could help him with.” She winked as she said it, and I narrowed my eyes.
“Penny.”
“I meant construction things. Not sexual things. Unless you would like to do sexual things, and then that would be remarkable, wouldn’t it? He is a piece.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“I try. Now, go talk with him. He looks like he could use a friend.”
And there it was. “I’m not in the habit of making friends, Penny.”
“No, you’re not, Killian Hart. But you should be. Because I love you. And maybe you should try—just a little.”
And with that, she walked away, taking my coffee cup and my dog with her.
I frowned when Cora followed her outside and shook my head. She would return Cora later, I knew it, but they hadn’t even talked to me about it first. Well then.
I got my water bottle, filled it up, and started to get back to work. I had framing on the back half of the house to work on since it was a complete rebuild, and with the setbacks I’d had recently with the trash, broken instruments, and flaky workers, I was behind.
