I love falling in love.
Only Iโm the worst at it.
My friends call me a serial first dater and I canโt blame them.
All I want is a happy ever after, yet all I find are happy ever nevers.
This is my last chance. After this set up with my friendโs tattoo artist, Iโm done.
No more dating. No more chances.
If I donโt fall in love with Leo Johnson, Iโll give up on dating.
Even if it shatters my dreams in the process.
Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, itโs an introduction to an authorโs world. And for fans, itโs a bonus book in the authorโs series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.
New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan returns to the Montgomery Ink world with a blind date romance between two unlikely strangers. HAPPILY EVER NEVER is out tomorrow, but you can read a sneak peek below now!
โBad date?โ Nick asked as he looked over Lakeโs head and winked at me.
I rolled my eyes. โOf course. The last good date I had was with this one,โ I said, pointing at Leif.
Leif choked on his water, sputtering. โSeriously? That canโt be right.โ
Lake burst out laughing, as did the few others in the room. Thatโs when I noticed I wasnโt alone with my friends. No, the place was full of customers, their friends, and a few other artists I had never met before.
โOh. I didnโt realize you were all here. Iโm sorry. Iโm going to go hide under a rock nowโas soon as I find one.โ
โDonโt hide on our account,โ a man with dark hair, light eyes, and a wicked grin said as he stepped forward. He held out his hand. โIโm Leo. And you are the woman of my dreams.โ
I burst out laughing. I couldnโt help it.
He rolled his eyes as the others laughed outright with me. โWell, then. I guess that put me in my place. Seriously, though, Iโm Leo. Itโs good to meet you. Itโs May, right? Youโre Leif and Brookeโs nanny. I mean, Lukeโs nannyโnot that Leif doesnโt need one.โ
I didnโt hear any derision in his tone, only interest. That was different. Most people werenโt sure why I was still a nanny with all my college degrees and experience. But I really did love my job. Other people with their misconceptions and preconceived notions would have to get over themselves.
โI am May, their nanny. Youโre the jokester of the place, right?โ
Another man behind Leo cracked up. โSure. If thatโs what he wants to call himself. Iโm Tristan. This is Taryn,โ Tristan said as he gestured toward a gorgeous woman with bright red hair. โWe all work for these head honchos over here.โ He pointed toward Nick, Lake, and Leif.
I knew the three of them had come together to purchase the building and start Montgomery Ink Legacy. There was a fourth owner, someone else who had bought in that had a small share. Once he was old enough, he would buy into the business more. He was on the board and part of the ownership and legacy. Or at least he had been. My heart hurt for Sebastian Montgomery and the hardships he was going through. For the unending pain and hope all twisted into one future. I didnโt know Sebastian well, but I hoped he knew he wasnโt alone. If a mere stranger hurt for him and was willing to help him like I was, I really hoped he had someone close to lean on.
โSo, you here for a tattoo?โ Leif asked.
I shook my head, my lips twitching. โNot now. I just didnโt want to go home alone and have a chocolate drumstick.โ
โDonโt knock chocolate drumsticks. Theyโre amazing.โ Leo returned to his seat and gestured to the notepad in front of him. His client bent over it, and the two went back to work.
โTrue, but it was a crappy night.โ
โAre you okay?โ Leif asked, his gaze narrowing.
Leo looked at me again, his expression fierce. The rest of the men in the group followed suit. Lake was the only one who appeared worried instead of angry, and I hated that because it had nothing to do with me. Nick noticed and rubbed the back of her neck, and Lake softened into him, practically melting.
Those two were so good for each other, and I was happy theyโd finally seen each other rather than continually running.
โIโm fine. It just wasnโt a great night. One day, I will have a date that doesnโt end up boring, rude, or with someone telling me I shouldnโt have dessert.โ
Every single person stared at me, their eyes wide.
โWhere is he, and what does he look like?โ Leo asked. I shook my head, though I was grateful it seemed he cared.
โI took care of it. Well, I didnโt dump my glass on him but only because I was out of water.โ
โAnd throwing the glass itself probably wouldnโt have been a great idea,โ Leif murmured.
I shrugged. โProbably.โ
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