“I think she will be fine.” I motioned to Londyn in a corner of the bar, tonguing down the guy she was dancing with. “Just send her a message and let her know you’re with me.”
Alayah looked around me before pulling out her phone. She tapped away on it for a second before tucking it away and standing. I extended my hand, and she took it, allowing me to lead her out of the bar. We headed to my car, and I opened the door for her.
“Don’t get me into any trouble, Killian.”
“I won’t. I promise. We’re gonna have a little fun.”
“What kind of fun?”
“You’ll see.”
She eyed me skeptically but got in the car. I rounded the driver’s side and climbed in. Pulling out of the parking lot, I headed to the other side of town. She said she wanted to feel normal, so why not give her a little slice of that? When I pulled into the parking lot of the tattoo parlor a friend of mine owned, Alayah’s eyes widened.
“You’re really taking me to get a tattoo?” she asked.
“You said you wanted one.”
“I–I was just talking. I didn’t think you’d actually bring me here.”
“Well, we’re here now. What do you say?”
She laughed. “Killian! I don’t even know what I would get.”
“Something meaningful. What means the most to you right now?”
She thought for a moment. “Freedom.”
“I’ll get one with you.”
“Matching tattoos?”
“What better way to commemorate our friendship?”
“You know Londyn is gonna be jealous, right?”
I grinned. “She’ll live. We were friends first.”
She smiled. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
We got out of the car and headed inside. Micah, my friend, was standing at the counter looking at the computer. When he saw us, a smile spread across his face.
“Killian, my guy!” He came around the corner to slap my hand. “How you doing, man?”
“I’m good. Can’t complain.”
He looked over at Alayah. “And who is this beautiful sistah?”
“This is my friend, Alayah. Alayah, this is Micah.”
“Nice to meet you, Alayah.”
He went in for a hug, but she took a step back the same time as I extended my arm.
“She doesn’t like people in her personal space,” I said.
“I apologize. I grew up in a hugging ass family. Please forgive me.”
“It’s okay,” she said softly.
