“Kinda,” Joe muttered. “Cool, man. Congrats.”
“Wait a second.” Cypress raked his hands through his hair, looking as impressed as we did with him. “Are you Iceman?”
Mike’s face transformed with a huge smile. “I was.”
“Fuck,” Cypress said, looking down at Kat. “I saw this guy fight when I was a kid. He’s a beast, baby. I can’t believe you’re working with him now.”
Kat shrugged, probably not giving a fuck about fighting just like the rest of us. “That’s cool.”
“I’m honored to meet you, sir.” Cypress held out his hand, and Mike shook it quickly but with a little bit of a frown.
“It wasn’t that long ago, kid.”
Mike went from being on top of the world at being recognized to being reminded that he was an old bastard within thirty seconds.
I hopped out of my chair and hooked my arm with Kat’s. “Let me introduce you to everyone else before our guests arrive. This is Angel, my sister-in-law, who’s married to my brother Thomas.”
They both shook Angel’s hand, and she blushed the brightest shade of red when she touched Cypress. These girls couldn’t keep their shit together in front of him, and it was embarrassing.
“James.” I touched his shoulder, and he turned with a smile.
“What’s up, doll?” He slid his arm around my back and stared at Cypress and Kat.
“This is Kat and her beau, Cypress.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” they both said, but not at the same time.
“Did you have a good first week at Inked?” James asked, making small talk, which wasn’t always his strong suit, but he’d gotten better. I had to give him brownie points for trying harder for me too.
“It was amazing. I’ve never worked anywhere that felt like home so quickly.” Kat beamed. “Your wife has been so helpful. She’s really an amazing person.”
James nuzzled my neck. “She really is. I’m a lucky man.”
“Aren’t they cute, honey? I want to be like them when we’re old.”
James growled in my ear, “I’m sure you will be.”
And just like Mike, they reminded me I was no longer the hot young thing I used to be either. I was a mom and a wife and not the wild Izzy who ended up in the back of police cars with bikers hot on my trail.
“Let me go finish the introductions, and I’ll come join you for a drink,” I told James.
“I’ll wait here for you.” He patted my ass again as I walked away with Cypress and Kat in tow.
“Thomas.” I motioned between Kat and Cypress. “This is Kat, our new artist, and her boyfriend, Cypress.”
“It’s nice to meet you both. Don’t let the group scare you away. They’re harmless.”
“You have an amazing family.”
“Thomas doesn’t work at Inked. He and James own a private investigation agency.”
“That’s good to know.” Cypress reached out for Thomas’s hand. “Never know when I could use your services.”
“We’re always here to help.” Thomas smiled. “Well, I’d better get to my wife.”
“We’ll catch you in a bit,” I told him and turned to face the cute young couple. “Feel free to wander around, or do whatever you want.”
“Thanks, Izzy.” Kat smiled, pulling Cypress closer to her body.
