Page 93 of Does He Know?

“We are. Let’s go.” Forrest wraps an arm around my shoulders. I hold my arm out for Monroe, and the three of us head to Forrest's truck.

“This place is fancy,” Maddox says. “Thanks for graduating, Em. This gives us an excuse to try this place.”

“You know, you could try dating. That’s also a good excuse to try a place like this.” Monroe laughs.

Maddox shudders. “Roe, let’s not go talking crazy.”

“You know, one of these days, all five of you are going to meet a woman who will change the way you think,” Monroe muses.

“You trying to marry us off?” Lachlan asks.

“No.” She giggles. “Just stating the obvious. You can’t seriously want to be a bachelor your entire life.”

“Not my entire life,” Forrest speaks up. “It’s going to take someone really fucking special to lock this down.” He motions down his body and we all crack up laughing.

“Yeah? What are the qualifications?” Monroe asks.

“Are you submitting an application?” Lachlan asks. “If so, I can give you a list for myself.” He winks at her.

Monroe points at him. “No.” She shakes her head, smiling. “Forrest?”

“You’re being serious?” he asks.

“Yep.” Monroe takes a sip of her water. We’re still waiting for her parents. Apparently, they got turned around and are stuck in traffic.

“She has to be family oriented. She needs to get along with Emerson, and respect that we’re close. She needs to want to be with me for me, not for what I can give her. She needs to be someone who I know will always be in my corner, a true partner in life. She needs to understand that my job can have crazy hours to fit the schedules of my clients, and she needs to know that my Everlasting Ink family and our traditions are important to me.”

“Is that all?”

Forrest shrugs. “Yeah.”

“If you find her, hopefully, she has a sister,” Lachlan tells him. “All the ladies I’ve met recently want the status that comes with being with the bad boy, or the fact that we’re gaining national recognition for our ink.”

“Same,” Maddox agrees.

“What about someone who would give up everything for you?” Legend asks.

“What do you mean?” Forrest asks him.

“That’s true love, right? What if you found someone who worked her ass off to build an empire, but to be with you, she’d have to walk away from that? What if she walked away from that for you?”

“Whoa.” Forrest holds his hand in the air. “I wouldn’t let her. Fuck that, she worked for it. We make it work.” Forrest takes a drink of his water. “But yeah, I mean, that’s pretty fucking intense if you think about it.”

“That’s a selfless love,” Monroe adds softly.

I’m getting ready to tell them this is too heavy of a topic for a day that we’re supposed to be celebrating. I can’t sit here and talk about love and sacrifice when the man I love isn’t willing to let me make my own choices to sacrifice my love for him. Sure, I agreed when he ended things, but it’s hard to fight for someone who has already given up. Luckily, I don’t have to talk about it anymore. Monroe’s parents arrive, and small talk ensues as we order our meals.

“All the boxes go,” I tell the guys. “They’re spread out all over the place, and they’re labeled, so maybe two trucks for Monroe’s place and two to take back to Forrest’s place?” I suggest.

“Got it.” All five of them reply like the good moving soldiers they are. They loaded up Monroe’s parents' SUV. They’re headed back to Tennessee, and with these five guys, I’d say we won’t be far behind them. As a graduation present, Monroe’s parents hired cleaners so we don’t have to worry about it. We can move everything to the trucks and be home in Ashby tonight.

“I’m going to check my room again. We’re leaving all the furniture for the next person. Most of it is secondhand, anyway. I just want to make sure I didn’t leave anything behind.”

“Oh, me too,” Monroe says.

We head down the hall. She turns right, and I turn left. I pull open each dresser drawer, making sure I didn’t miss anything. I turn and yelp when I see Roman standing in my doorway. He steps into the room and closes the door. He studies me for a few erratic heartbeats before moving toward me. He doesn’t stop until he’s standing in front of me.

“What are you doing? You shouldn’t be in here like this.”

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